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Tree of Life

Writer's picture: Ashanti GardnerAshanti Gardner

Embracing Collective Work: My Journey with the Tree of Life Card Deck

I am excited to share my journey with the Tree of Life card deck—a tool I have designed to foster empathy, encourage exploration, and spark curiosity. Inspired by visualization practices, design thinking, and the belief that anything is possible, this deck aims to help create balance while facilitating meaningful conversations.


The essence of the Tree of Life deck is simple: pick a challenge and use the deck as a guide. The deck offers thought-provoking questions that encourage deeper reflection and discussion. It is flexible, so feel free to adapt it in ways that resonate with you or integrate other tools and questions that may be necessary for your conversation.


Sometimes, those in your discussion group (or even you) won’t have all the answers—and that’s completely okay. The beauty of the process lies in the journey of discovery and shared exploration. In the following sections, I will share the roots of this deck, based on my personal experiences and observations.


Black and white photo of  baobab trees.
Photography by Matteo Milan

At the Center

When people’s basic needs, security, and safety feel threatened, they might not be naturally inclined to engage in collective work. Instead, the instinct to protect oneself often takes precedence. On the other hand, some may actively engage in collective efforts but may inadvertently overstep boundaries of inclusive collaboration and co-creation. Interestingly, even those who have access to safety and security can feel threatened by the idea of sharing resources, which complicates efforts to come together. Without understanding people’s needs, perspectives, and aspirations, solving problems becomes more challenging and unclear. This is why it’s so important to center the people affected by the challenge. Listening to them, understanding their fears and desires, is essential for finding a path forward.


Moreover, transitioning from an individualistic mindset to one focused on collective work is often more difficult than it appears. It usually involves sacrifice, compromise, and letting go of something personal. Societal structures, policies, and systems only add more layers of complexity.


The tension between individualism and collective work will always exist—it is not about determining which is superior, but about understanding the value of both. Our goal should be to elevate ourselves and others towards meaningful collective work, recognizing the challenges and benefits it brings. We also need to be aware of the lessons history teaches us so that we can shape a vision for a better, more inclusive future.


The Reality of Problem-Solving

One of the hardest truths about problem-solving is that addressing one challenge often creates new ones. It is a constant balancing act. Challenges—both known and unknown—are all around us. That’s why it is so important to keep the people at the center of any challenge in mind. Engaging with them directly is key to ensuring data integrity and developing effective solutions.


At the same time, bringing potential solutions to the table requires open communication. You must also consider the impact these solutions will have on the people involved, and how to manage any changes that may arise. One must be humble and not enter with a saviour complex. That said, the Tree of Life is merely a tool, not the solution or answer.


Feel free to share below your thoughts and comments related this post. Please stay tuned for more information about the Tree of Life card deck.

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