This blog was written by Julia Connolly, LFC’s Development and Communications Associate

At Leading for Children, we believe that empowered and nurturing adults are key to ensuring strong communities where children can thrive. That’s why we developed the Mutual Learning Method (MLM), a reciprocal process that ensures every voice is heard and ideas are shared equitably. By engaging with mutual learning, individuals from across children’s ecosystems own the value of their knowledge and perspective while appreciating the wisdom of others. By listening, asking questions, and sharing insights, everyone is enriched and more deeply connected.

LFC’s programs utilize the MLM in communities across the nation. And guess what—we practice it within our team too! To bring the MLM to life and demonstrate that anyone, anywhere can try it on for size, I’d like to share a recent experience where it supported us as we engaged in a powerful conversation about mutuality – the beautiful aspiration behind our method.

Welcome to our process!

As I began planning October’s newsletter, I knew I wanted to highlight mutuality as a transformative outcome of our work. I figured—what better way than to demonstrate it by including many voices? Curious to explore mutuality while embodying its essence, I initiated a mutual learning experience with my team.

In a message, I shared a prompt and some context. By taking this first step, the whole team had space to independently ponder, activate curiosity, and organize their thinking without feeling rushed to respond immediately.

Some time passed and I invited the team to a conversation where we would have the opportunity to share our independent reflections and receive feedback about how they impacted the rest of the group. To guide what proved to be a lively conversation, we utilized a tool of the Mutual Learning Method, the Carousel & Invite technique. Here’s how it works:

1. 1. 1. A prompt is offered.
      2. Everyone takes time to think and jot ideas.
      3. A volunteer shares their ideas.
      4. As the volunteer shares their response, others listen and jot notes about what they heard.
      5. When the volunteer is finished, they invite another colleague by name to share their ideas.
      6. The carousel continues until everyone has had a turn.

With the freedom to set aside hesitation about overlapping, inadequate, underdeveloped, or unconventional ideas, we embraced our individual experiences and responded to the questions: What does mutuality mean to you? How does it support your work?

I left feeling fortified by the connections made with my colleagues, inspired by the individual, yet complementary, insights they shared, and ultimately more resolved in my own thinking. Aligned with the shared goal of each contributing to the newsletter, we took the rest of the day to sit with this experience and play with our thoughts for a final time. Then, everyone crafted their perspectives in writing and passed them to me:

Jonathan: Practicing mutual learning isn’t just about the smart ideas that emerge – though that’s true. It’s also about belonging. When others value my thoughts and feelings, I learn to trust myself. Listening to others in the same way, I invite who they are to the conversation.

Judy: To me, mutuality means reciprocity, respect, and shared responsibility. As I consider ideas, challenges, and opportunities in new lights and from diverse perspectives, the ideas take on dimensionality, becoming more robust and inclusive. Mutual learning also deepens connections among our team and enriches our collaboration.

Julia: Mutuality feels warm; it inspires and deepens our sense of connection, belonging, and purpose. No one feels squished, controlled, overwhelmed by, misunderstood, or used. When it’s present, there’s no urge to prove oneself  – without condition, our humanity is seen, valued, and uplifted. Power differentials do not define our experiences.

Nichole: For me, the essence of Mutual Learning is respecting others enough to hear their perspectives. It’s not about consensus, rather, it’s about engaging in a moment together and creating a shared experience. Respect calls me to listen deeply, make meaningful connections, and remain curious as we work alongside each other to fulfill LFC’s mission. In doing so, I find that my heart opens—filled with love, gratitude, admiration, and confidence in each team member and in us as a collective.

Paulina: Mutuality, for me, means meeting each individual in my life where they are. Mutual learning has given me the opportunity to truly be present in conversations, share ideas, and ignite curiosity that allows me to genuinely connect and enrich my relationships with everyone around me including team members, family, and friends.

Serene: Mutuality means we are all in this together and we notice and see one another, and we recognize that we are connected. We move courageously and intentionally as we make decisions and communicate with one another. We understand that what we do impacts us as individuals and those whom we are connected to.

Shannon: Mutuality means creating an environment of equal respect and shared responsibility where every voice is valued. It encompasses genuine curiosity, allowing people to contribute meaningfully and learn from one another fostering a sense of trust and safety.

As you read LFC’s reflections and insights about mutuality, what is sparking in your mind and heart? The Mutual Learning Method was designed to make shared meaningful experiences like this one accessible to all communities. How might you try practicing the Mutual Learning Method in yours?

LFC’s October newsletter is available to read here.