The Third Perspective
Brave Expression in the Age of Intolerance
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- $15.99
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- $15.99
Publisher Description
In our deeply divided, binary world, honest discussion is stressful for all sides. International thought leader Africa Brooke says there is another way: the Third Perspective.
In this manifesto, Africa teaches us how to return to critical thinking and reduce societal divides by opening our minds and being more self-questioning in difficult discussions. This book will help you figure out what you truly believe—as opposed to parroting or having knee-jerk reactions in conversation. You’ll learn to share your views, hear theirs, make a point you feel must be made, and try to find common ground without self-censorship or self-sabotage.
This personal guide helps readers move away from rigid thinking, allowing them to enter any potentially difficult discussion about politics, work, personal responsibility, race, sex, gender, religion — whatever the subject — while maintaining integrity, authenticity, and openness, and successfully expressing opinions while listening to contrary points of view.
Africa has built a successful business coaching an exclusive roster of high-profile clients seeking to handle themselves in the public eye. The tools offered in The Third Perspective have been honed over years of that experience: hers is a proven system that works. She offers readers a new path for communication, and because communication is everything, critical to building trust and fruitful relationships, a life transforming experience.
Africa Brooke’s framework has three pillars—Awareness, Responsibility, and Expression—that ask: what is stopping you from speaking your mind, what do you stand for, what are you willing to risk?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Executive coach Brooke debuts with a galvanizing guide to breaking from the "societal pressures have been boxing in your thoughts and opinions." In 2021, after the author noticed a widespread "aversion to questions" that "brought up psychological discomfort" in online discussions of social justice issues, she realized that she herself had become an "insufferable, self-righteous" manifestation of "the intolerance I claimed to oppose" and posted an open letter online ("Why I'm Leaving the Cult of Wokeness"). In it, she wondered if there was "still room for us as human beings to stumble, fuck up, learn and grow." Drawing on subsequent observations of society's "culture of fear," as well as her coaching experience, Brooke invites readers to examine "limiting beliefs and fears" that impede expression, adopt an "ownership mindset" of their opinions, and cultivate a "do-it-your-own-way attitude" and "bounce-back toughness." In the process, readers can develop the "maverick mindset" to express themselves more bravely online and in person and calmly receive opinions with which they disagree, whether the topic is personal, political, social, or religious (she mentions as examples vaccines, parenting choices, and immigration). Brooke's tone is refreshingly candid throughout, and her personal coaching background shines in varied, pragmatic exercises (readers can investigate their self-policing "inner mob" or perform a risk analysis for bringing up dicey topics). It's an invigorating invitation to speak one's mind.
