Tag Archives: #leadership
Except for a few, cross-cut individuals, Americans have evolved to be a political party sorted country; and daily, we are becoming more sorted. It reminds of a Broncos-Raiders football game: a must win at all cost. Wilber et al contend, “…partisan politics is a dangerous duel of limited and partial truths… glaring inadequacies of both parties, due largely to their lack of view big enough to address the complex issues facing us today.” (Integral Life Practice, 2008, Integral Books, 114) Lilliana Mason, Uncivil Agreement, offers,
Well-sorted citizens are broadly emotionally responsive. They get angry at any message of threat, and they get happy at any message of victory. Whether party-based or issue-based, highly sorted individuals react to political messages with emotional reactions that match those driven by the strongest partisans or the most issue-intense individuals. However, while the emotional reactions of highly sorted individuals match the maximum emotional reactions already found in the electorate, the reactions of cross-cut individuals are significantly less intense than the reactions of any other citizens…Cross-cutting identities dampen emotional reactions to political messages, such that the most cross-cutting identities lead to a complete lack of emotional response. This lack of response exists only in the group of cross-cut citizens that are increasingly disappearing from the American electorate.
It appears the wants are clear: freedom; the chance for prosperity; as few people suffering as possible; healthy children; and to have crime-free streets. (StudentNewsDaily.com, “Conservative vs Liberal Beliefs,” 2010) The political party sorting appears to be based on how to achieve the wants. Mason suggests that President Trump’s supporters are simply refusing to see facts that contradict their beliefs. She contends,
As Americans continue to sort into partisan teams, we should expect to see more of this emotional reaction, no matter how much we may truly agree on specific policies…In other words, the anger driven by intergroup conflict and the gradual reduction of cross-cutting identities in the electorate is actively harming our ability to reasonably discuss the important issues at hand. The more people who feel angry, the less capable we are as a nation of finding common ground on policies, or even treating our opponents like human beings. Our emotional relationships with our opponents must be addressed before we can hope to make the important policy compromises that are required for governing.
Aside from age as an older senior, and golfer, too, it feels like I am one of the cross-cutting citizens who are disappearing. Having traditionally made voting decisions based on individuals who were believed to be objective, who were not self-serving and who would make decisions that were in best interests of the country, the decision for November 2020 is clear. Lying awake last evening the mind rambled: embarrassing, obnoxious, public display of incompetence, dereliction of duty, corruption, catalyst for racism, absolute chaotic disaster and absence of compassion during a global pandemic-100,000+ deaths-punctuated by “keep your mouth shut” pay-offs to prostitutes Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal; 12 women claiming sexual harassment; cheating on two wives; the Mueller Report (nine counts of obstruction of justice, Russian interference in the 2016 election and four persons in jail: Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, Carter Page); refusal to disclose personal financial information; conduct above the law; impeachment for obstruction of justice; on-going institutional destruction and deconstruction; and choosing not to model the way for American citizens. And there are politically, well-sorted Americans who blindly defend this behavior by the President of the United States. From the perspective of an older senior, not good, not OK for America.
How can we evolve our emotional relationships with our opponents? We can play golf; we can continue our lifetime work on self-restraint; we can evolve our integral life awareness, understanding and practice; and we can stand in the face of power and tell the truth. The fear; distractions; lies and deception; and if the facts make you look bad, deny the facts, are strategies that do not promote perfectly healthy communities and a perfectly healthy American culture. We can do better in November 2020!! Whether Democrat or Republican, we need positive, high quality leaders who transcend, inspire, and include others and earn the power of elected positions through exemplary character, personality, mentality, compassion, and magnetism. It is time to hire leaders who evolve our awareness and put us on a path to create a country that “… not only sees through but also lets go of the gross related ego-self as the center and anchoring reference point from which the complex dance of relations, processes, and experience is always seen. This relaxes the tension or stress between individuality and interconnected unity.” (Wilber et al, 97)
Except for a few, cross-cut individuals, Americans have evolved to be a political party sorted country; and daily, we are becoming more sorted. It reminds of a Broncos-Raiders football game: a must win at all cost. Wilber et al contend, “…partisan politics is a dangerous duel of limited and partial truths… glaring inadequacies of both parties, due largely to their lack of view big enough to address the complex issues facing us today.” (Integral Life Practice, 2008, Integral Books, 114) Lilliana Mason, Uncivil Agreement, offers,
Well-sorted citizens are broadly emotionally responsive. They get angry at any message of threat, and they get happy at any message of victory. Whether party-based or issue-based, highly sorted individuals react to political messages with emotional reactions that match those driven by the strongest partisans or the most issue-intense individuals. However, while the emotional reactions of highly sorted individuals match the maximum emotional reactions already found in the electorate, the reactions of cross-cut individuals are significantly less intense than the reactions of any other citizens…Cross-cutting identities dampen emotional reactions to political messages, such that the most cross-cutting identities lead to a complete lack of emotional response. This lack of response exists only in the group of cross-cut citizens that are increasingly disappearing from the American electorate.
It appears the wants are clear: freedom; the chance for prosperity; as few people suffering as possible; healthy children; and to have crime-free streets. (StudentNewsDaily.com, “Conservative vs Liberal Beliefs,” 2010) The political party sorting appears to be based on how to achieve the wants. Mason suggests that President Trump’s supporters are simply refusing to see facts that contradict their beliefs. She contends,
As Americans continue to sort into partisan teams, we should expect to see more of this emotional reaction, no matter how much we may truly agree on specific policies…In other words, the anger driven by intergroup conflict and the gradual reduction of cross-cutting identities in the electorate is actively harming our ability to reasonably discuss the important issues at hand. The more people who feel angry, the less capable we are as a nation of finding common ground on policies, or even treating our opponents like human beings. Our emotional relationships with our opponents must be addressed before we can hope to make the important policy compromises that are required for governing.
Aside from age as an older senior, and golfer, too, it feels like I am one of the cross-cutting citizens who are disappearing. Having traditionally made voting decisions based on individuals who were believed to be objective, who were not self-serving, and who would make decisions that were in best interests of the country, the decision for November 2020 is clear. Lying awake last evening the mind rambled: embarrassing, obnoxious, public display of incompetence, dereliction of duty, corruption, catalyst for racism, absolute chaotic disaster and absence of compassion during a global pandemic-100,000+ deaths-punctuated by “keep your mouth shut” pay-offs to prostitutes Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal; 12 women claiming sexual harassment; cheating on two wives; the Mueller Report (nine counts of obstruction of justice, Russian interference in the 2016 election and four persons in jail: Roger Stone, Michael Flynn, Michael Cohen, Carter Page); refusal to disclose personal financial information; conduct above the law; impeachment for obstruction of justice; on-going institutional destruction and deconstruction; and choosing not to model the way for American citizens. And there are politically, well-sorted Americans who blindly defend this behavior by the President of the United States. From the perspective of an older senior, not good, not OK for America.
How can we evolve our emotional relationships with our opponents? We can play golf; we can continue our lifetime work on self-restraint; we can evolve our integral life awareness, understanding and practice; and we can stand in the face of power and tell the truth. The fear; distractions; lies and deception; and if the facts make you look bad, deny the facts, are strategies that do not promote perfectly healthy communities and a perfectly healthy American culture. We can do better in November 2020!! Whether Democrat or Republican, we need positive, high quality leaders who transcend, inspire, and include others and earn the power of elected positions through exemplary character, personality, mentality, compassion, and magnetism. It is time to use our tax dollars to hire leaders who evolve our awareness and put us on a path to create a country that “… not only sees through but also lets go of the gross related ego-self as the center and anchoring reference point from which the complex dance of relations, processes, and experience is always seen. This relaxes the tension or stress between individuality and interconnected unity.” (Wilber et al, 97)
During Corporate America years at Coors a lasting experience was the opportunity to work with Hyler Bracey, President, the Atlanta Consulting Group. The Coors family had hired Hyler and his associates to facilitate transition of Adolph Coors Company from several dependent, vertically organized companies into two independent companies, Coors Brewing Company and Graphic Packaging Company.
At the age of 28, Hyler was in a stock car racing accident and burned over 60% of his body. His face was severely disfigured, and his fingers were like burned twigs in a bonfire. However, his character, personality and mentality, manifested through his blue eyes and subconscious mind, were magnetizing and drew you to his heart. Hyler modeled that scars offer a story of the past and do not dictate where one intends to go. He walked the talk of one of the key concepts he and his associates shared with the Coors leadership team: life happens because of me and not to me, or the concept of 100% responsibility.
Daily we are witness to scurrying about to avoid being identified as the culprit. In our culture there is intense desire to be off the hook; and clever and devious actions taken to get off the hook are known as cover your posterior. Quite simply, desired results do not equal excuses coupled with no desired results; and blaming, justifying, spinning, lying and choosing not to accept responsibility when something goes wrong is a negative life and leadership strategy. Being right is a booby prize! The real prize is the desired result which has not been realized. Blaming and justifying put us at the mercy of other people and events and do not make things happen. A better strategy is not to give away power and influence by blaming and justifying. Take charge: 100% responsibility, I am 100% responsible and others are 0% responsible.
Imagine the power in this country where everyone is assuming 100% responsibility for its success. Imagine how refreshing it would be for the President, Senators and Representatives to be examining what they did and what they could do rather than expending energy and plotting how to get off the hook. Perhaps the greatest value of the 100%-0% concept is that it focuses energy on creating desired results rather than finding ways of avoiding responsibility. Because it encourages folks to develop new options to produce desired results, it is a deeply empowering concept.
Thank you Hyler for pointing the way to 100% responsibility, a leader’s tool to make things happen and generate positive differences in every area of American lives. The negative option is wasting time and money blaming, defending, justifying, spinning, meeting, lying, cheating, making excuses and not getting the job done for Americans.
American partisan politics today reminds of a humongous, tarnished, sterling silver punch bowl that needs good leaders with gallons of good silver polish who are aware and understand the reality of partisan politics: it is a dangerous duel of limited and partial truths. Political parties have glaring inadequacies because they lack a vision with a broad perspective to address the complex issues facing us today. Republicans tend to be conservative, traditional, ethnocentric, egocentric-physical, emotional and mental-and religious. The party highlights an individual’s moral failings, poor decisions and lack of motivation as the central reasons behind many social problems. A typical response to homelessness: cut free government handouts which will require people to take responsibility for their lives and get back to work. Democrats usually are progressive, egocentric-physical, emotional and mental, worldcentric and pluralistic. They blame social ills on an unfair system and raise budgets for social welfare programs in order to create opportunities for those marginalized by an unjust economic system.
As the three-ring circus of political entertainers, producers, directors and media and artificial intelligence masters unfold for the 2020 election campaigns, the big top can offer each of us the opportunity and challenge to select the leaders who will facilitate hope for this great country, put us back on the track, and restore the brightness, sparkle and shine of our democracy. A reasonable solution is to climb out of the foxhole, look around, study, research and select leaders who are ethical and moral, have core values and guiding principles and have a track record of followership-team play-and leadership successes, not entertainers.
Every day the media reminds of the self-professed entertainer whose “brand” occupies the Office of the President of the United States and who is a lonely, “cured introvert” driven by accumulating mega millions of dollars and associating with folks who have mega millions of dollars who can satisfy his insatiable desire to accumulate wealth and nourish his capacity to use other people’s money to self-serve. In addition to building personal wealth, this individual is motivated to use manipulative, egotistical, child-like behavior and position power to attract beautiful women, and to be recognized for his celebrity and status: he thrives on receiving warm “fuzzies,” while at the same time uses cold “pricklies” to trigger battles that nurture his passion for conflict, chaos, waging war and winning at all cost.
Seven key brand attributes to look for in candidates who are marketing qualities for elections are as follows:
- LEADERSHIP: This quality is an attribute of an individual’s brand; and is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical and moral change that mirror common purpose.
- INTEGRAL ETHICS: Integral connotes comprehensive, whole, balanced and “best of the best.” Ethics is sincere, private commitment to doing what it takes to expand awareness and show up with caring, love, compassion and a life of full integrity: “walk the talk” in every area of life and “model the way” as an individual; in relationships; and by skillfully helping and supporting others.
- MORALS: Judgments made by an individual and concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness and badness of human character.
- VALUES: Determine what a person pays attention to and how the person acts. Examples: trust and trusted; integrity; direct; open; honesty; caring; compassionate; moral; health, wellness and well being; financial viability; leadership; hope; and peace-of-mind.
- GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Core values that are articulated. Examples: Do not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Objective, not self-serving and act in the best interests of the people and organization being served. Committed to the concept of 100% responsibility: life happens because of me and not to me. Do not blame others, learn from one’s own experiences in an intentional and self-directed manner and apply that learning to new challenges. Set a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening, ethical behavior and integration of hidden, denied and repressed reflections manifested in the world. I am a student of life. I am silent self alone. I do everything with love. No matter what I am experiencing, it is arising in the awareness I am.
- FOLLOWERSHIP: The actions of someone in a subordinate role. The intentional practice on the part of the subordinate to enhance the synergistic interchange between the follower and the leader. Team play.
- INTEGRAL POLITICS: Awareness and understanding of the inadequacies of political parties because of limited and partial views that do not address the complex issues facing the world today. Requires a transcending and including leadership philosophy to unite multiple perspectives.
Wilber et al in Integral Life Practice offer, “People born with beauty, privilege, wealth, and fame sometimes make poor use of all of their advantages, diminishing themselves and those around them.” As Americans, we can select good political leaders who transcend and include, appreciate the strengths found in diversity and can lead efforts to restore the global shine and sparkle to our tarnished nation. Some glaring needs: infrastructure maintenance and evolution for tomorrow’s needs; comprehensive reform of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; comprehensive immigration reform; strengthen alliances around the world to protect against aggressive dictators in Russia, China and North Korea; simple, equitable tax system; balanced budget and trade policies; stop the scourge of the opioid crisis; tough, finely tuned, well-trained military; and rein in escalating healthcare costs.
Political headlines remind of little kids who are desperate for approval and have never been told that bragging is obnoxious; and that lying, cheating and using other people’s money for self-serving outcomes are not ethical and moral. Where are the political leaders and leadership? They have been replaced by actors, entertainment and showmanship.
Directed mass communication and social media efforts to manipulate, discredit and dismantle; deliberate, vindictive attacks of media; election interference; politically inspired chaos, violence, distractions and divisiveness; loss of truth to power; deception and fake news intended to manipulate and nurture egos; emergence of fringe political organizations; and undermining international coalitions, these headlines portray boiling, turbulent, conflicted and partisan times. An analytical glance establishes the least common denominator to be nothing more than a manifestation of the reality of our individual and collective human condition—everything human can be reduced to entertainment that can be branded, that manifests competitive spirit and that can be marketed and sold as a commodity. Of notable interest in our Western culture has been the transition from politics with leaders and leadership to politics with politicians who are actors and entertainers who love showmanship and ego aggrandizement: a long-term, global worldview has been replaced by short-term entertainment snippets that are divisive and attract human ego’s thirst and greed. The glaring need is to grow leaders who are students of the human condition and leadership; and who have a track record of leadership successes with measureable accountabilities.
LEADERSHIP is an attribute of an individual’s brand; and is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical and moral changes that mirror common purpose. Some key qualities for accountable leaders are as follows:
ETHICS: The practice of nurturing and evolving relationships in a spirit of caring, intelligence, heartfelt generosity, passionate aliveness, freedom and self expression. It is the art of being a good person and practicing goodness in everyday life. It includes all ways of being truthful, authentic and courageous that constitutes integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions and behavior. Ethical persons “walk the talk” and model the way as individuals; in relationships; and when skillfully helping and supporting others. Good leaders provide clarity about institutional ethics, morals, values and principles and behave consistently with these organizational beliefs.
MORALS: Judgments made by an individual and concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness and badness of human character.
VALUES: Trust and trusted; integrity; direct; open; honest; caring; compassionate; moral authentic joy; hope; peace-of-mind.
PRINCIPLES: Does not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people and organization being served. Committed to the concept of 100% responsibility: life happens because of me and not to me. Does not blame others, learns from one’s own experiences in an intentional and self-directed manner and applies that learning to new challenges. Sets a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening, ethical behavior and integration of hidden, denied and repressed reflections manifested in the world.
INTEGRAL—comprehensive, whole, balanced, “best of the best”—VISION: Creates and communicates a world centric vision, strategies and direction for the organization and persons led. Articulates a worldview for the Nation and the globe and possesses an integral understanding that allows the leader to be aware and understand other persons thus opening greater mutual understanding and openness to innovative, harmonious resolution; and more intelligent and appropriate responses to conflicts faced.
MISSION DRIVEN: Peace-of-mind with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion. Has a bias for action, for trying new things and for getting things done. Aggressively pursues objectives and sets high standards for self and others. Takes calculated risks and makes personal sacrifices in order to get things done.
EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Acts appropriately in business, social and political situations. Displays control in complex, ambiguous or stressful situations. Identifies with persons, shares their values and beliefs and is comfortable with them. Works toward mutually carved-out, worldview goals.
HUMAN NEEDS SATISFACTION: Is “in-tune” with mental and emotional needs of others, cares about people and puts action plans in-place to create an environment to improve the quality of life and personal productivity that is beneficial for persons. Links recognition to accomplishment and shows appreciation and expresses pride in the team’s accomplishments.
INTEGRAL THEORY and PRACTICE: Student of integral theory and integral life practice that includes a pluralistic and multicultural composite map of the human territory and ways to include all of the important dimensions of being to enable growth, awakening and development to fullest capacities.
INTEGRAL COMMUNICATIONS and TECHNOLOGY MASTER: Integral communications translates the way an individual speaks to others’ perspectives while still being an authentic self. Simply keeps persons informed and creates communication forums and diverse coalitions to give and receive information and ethically manage perceptions. The spectrum of communication expertise: intrapersonal, interpersonal, person-to-persons, mass media, social media and associated technologies that optimize communication needs and strategies.
QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS and INFLUENCE: Develops, uses and sustains strong, cooperative relationships with persons. Uses effective listening and interpersonal skills to achieve mutual trust and respect. Accomplishes tasks and objectives by resolving conflicts and influencing the actions of others. Is seen as a change agent; and makes a difference when involved.
STAFFING and STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Attracts and selects people with innate talents and learned skills. Assesses the short and long-term needs of the institution and develops plans to improve the overall structure and talent and skills strength of the institution.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a unified, winning team. Builds commitment to common goals by communicating a sense of mission and by energizing the team. Creates an environment where differences are valued, where systems work equally well for all and wherein persons can retain their uniqueness and contribute at their full potential.
BUSINESS and FINANCIAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective and is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe. Has “street smarts,” sizes-up situations quickly, is practical, and knows the right things to do and when to do them. Plans, communicates, monitors and controls, establishes risks, solves problems and makes sound decisions concerning economic and financial performance.
HANDLING COMPLEXITY: Analyzes and solves complex problems. Deals effectively with large amounts of data, changing conditions, incomplete data or uncertainty. Understands how seemingly unrelated issues interact and affect one another. Gets to the essence of complex issues quickly, generates a variety of alternative courses of action and makes effective decisions.
IDEA LEADERSHIP: Open to input, change and new ideas. Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
INTEGRAL POLITICS: is aware and understands the inadequacies of political parties because of limited and partial views that do not address the complex issues facing the world today.
Individuals matter, leaders matter and leadership matters. If democracy is to prevail, we must select good leaders and hold them accountable for high quality leadership!! The evolution imperative of wholeness and inspired, growing awareness of the human condition, coupled with helping others, can change the daily headlines from an underlying sense of fear, chaos and domination to love and freedom. Leaders can be grown who create a vibrant civil society where people continue to be free, to live as they choose, to speak their minds, to organize peacefully and to have a say in how they are governed.
VOTE!!
The President, his associates and Russia are deliberately chipping away at America’s long standing, democratic pillars: form of government; respect for the law; rich mix of ethnicities and nationalities; freedoms—free and independent press and religious practice; the intelligence community; and leadership built on a foundation of solid ethics, morals, values and principles.
Daily deception, incompetence and lies certainly undermine the traditional values of this country; and are certainly indicative of a President and associates who twist and distort the truth for personal benefit and financial rewards for personal wealth building. An environment of no leadership and deepening political warfare shine light on political gain in lieu of ethical-moral responsibility, objectivity and service to Americans served. James Comey, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, captures the reality of today’s America quite well:
Donald Trump’s presidency threatens much of what is good in this nation…this president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values…transactional, ego driven, and about personal loyalty…Whatever your politics, it is wrong to dismiss the damage to the norms and traditions that have guided the presidency and our public life for decades or, in many cases, since the republic was founded…Policies come and go. Supreme Court justices come and go. But the core of our nation is our commitment to a set of shared values that began with George Washington—to restraint and integrity and balance and transparency and truth…Thoughtful people are staring at the vicious partisanship that has grown all around us. Far from creating a new norm where lying is widely accepted, the Trump presidency has ignited a focus on truth and ethics. Parents are talking to their children about truth-telling, about respect for all people, about rejecting prejudice and hate. Schools and religious institutions are talking about values-driven leadership…The next president, no matter the party, will surely emphasize values—truth, integrity, respect, and tolerance—in ways an American leader hasn’t needed to for more than forty years.
Great leaders and leadership uncover goodness and practice goodness; and the art of goodness includes being truthful, authentic, caring and courageous. These attributes constitute integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions. Quite simply: walk the talk and model the way as a person, in relations and when helping and supporting others. A mutual challenge is to frequently chat with the kids, the grandkids, spouses, friends, loved ones, teachers and religious and spiritual leaders about the crying demand for awakening, growing and nurturing quality leadership, ethics and morals. As Tolsty reminds, “…it’s impossible to describe a man (woman), but it is possible to describe the effect he (she) has on me.” Coupling that with the wisdom of Shinichi Suzuki, “Living is dying…try to die well,” leaves us with a wise formula: join diverse groups; be a good leader and follower; commit to 100% responsibility (Life happens because of me and not to me!) to protect American democracy; and VOTE.
Resources
- Collusion: Secret Meetings, Dirty Money, and How Russia Helped Donald Trump Win (Harding, Random House, 11-16-2017)
- Demagogue: The Fight to Save Democracy from Its Worst Enemies (Singer, Macmillan, 2-3-2009)
- Democracy In Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America (MacLean, Penguin, 6-13-17)
- Facts and Fears: Hard Truths from a Life in Intelligence (Clapper & Brown, Penguin, 5-22-18)
- Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House (Wolff, Macmillan, 1-5-2018)
- How Democracies Die (Levitsky & Ziblatt, Random House, 1-16-2018)
- It’s Even Worse Than You Think: What the Trump Administration Is Doing to America (Johnston, Simon & Schuster, January 16, 2018)
- Putin’s Kleptocracy: Who Owns Russia (Dawisha, Random House, 9-30-2014)
- Red Notice: A True Story of High Finance, Murder, and One Man’s Fight (Browder, Simon & Schuster, 3-15-2015)
- Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin’s War on America and the Election of Donald Trump (Michael Isikoff & David Corn, Hachette, 3-13-18)
- Sovereign Duty (Hall, Kindle, 8-25, 2014)
- Trump and Post-Truth World (Wilber, Random House, 11-8-2017)
- Trumpocracy: The Corruption of the American Republic (Frum, Harper Collins, 1-16-2018)
- Washington Rules: America’s Path to Permanent War [American Empire Project] (Bracevich, Macmillan, 8-3-2010)
- What Happened (Clinton, Simon & Schuster, 9-20-2017)
- 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Peterson, Random House, 1-23-2018)
America has a President and associates who are unraveling our democracy’s pillars and dismantling long standing leadership, ethics, morals, values and principles—living on the dark side of the law. Quality leadership is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical and moral changes that mirror common purpose. Today’s chaos and confusion are certainly indicative of no leadership, an antidemocratic, undisciplined President and deepening political warfare that shine light on political gain in lieu of ethical-moral responsibility. James Comey, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, captures the reality of today’s America quite well:
Donald Trump’s presidency threatens much of what is good in this nation…this president is unethical, and untethered to truth and institutional values…transactional, ego driven, and about personal loyalty…Whatever your politics, it is wrong to dismiss the damage to the norms and traditions that have guided the presidency and our public life for decades or, in many cases, since the republic was founded…Policies come and go. Supreme Court justices come and go. But the core of our nation is our commitment to a set of shared values that began with George Washington—to restraint and integrity and balance and transparency and truth…Thoughtful people are staring at the vicious partisanship that has grown all around us. Far from creating a new norm where lying is widely accepted, the Trump presidency has ignited a focus on truth and ethics. Parents are talking to their children about truth-telling, about respect for all people, about rejecting prejudice and hate. Schools and religious institutions are talking about values-driven leadership…The next president, no matter the party, will surely emphasize values—truth, integrity, respect, and tolerance—in ways an American leader hasn’t needed to for more than forty years. The fire will make something good grow…I wrote this book because I hope it will be useful to people living among the flames who are thinking about what comes next. I also hope it will be useful to readers long after the flames are doused, by inspiring them to choose a higher loyalty, to find truth among lies, and to pursue ethical leadership.
Leaders and leadership uncover goodness and practice goodness; and the art of goodness includes being truthful, authentic, caring and courageous that constitute integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions. Quite simply: walk the talk and model the way as a person, in relations and when helping and supporting others. A mutual challenge is to frequently chat with the kids, the grandkids, friends, loved ones, teachers and religious and spiritual leaders about the crying demand for growing and nurturing quality leadership, ethics and morals. As Tolsty reminds, “…it’s impossible to describe a man (woman), but it is possible to describe the effect he (she) has on me.” Coupling that with the wisdom of Shinichi Suzuki, “Living is dying…try to die well,” leaves us with a wise formula. Yes! Joy will transcend the fear, anger and sadness of life and of living.
How fit are leaders?
Leadership is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical changes that mirror their common purpose. Unfortunately, amidst chaos created by aroused emotions and divisiveness, it is difficult to “simply notice” essential leadership competencies as follows:
ETHICAL: Is a good person and practices goodness in everyday life.
STRATEGIC VISION: Establishes and communicates vision and strategies.
MISSION DRIVEN: Has peace-of-mind with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion.
FINANCIAL SAVY: Makes sound economic and financial decisions.
STAFFING: Attracts, selects and develops talented people.
QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS: Develops and sustains cooperative relationships.
COMMUNICATIONS: Keeps persons informed and creates forums to give and receive information.
BUSINESS and POLITICAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective and is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a winning team and by creating an environment where differences are valued and in which persons retain uniqueness and contribute full potential.
EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Has a stable temperament and acts appropriately in business, social and political situations.
HUMAN NEEDS SATISFACTION: Is “in-tune” with mental and emotional needs of others.
IDEA LEADERSHIP: Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
VALUES: Unconditional trust, integrity, honesty and morality.
PRINCIPLES: Does not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do; objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people being served; committed to the concept of 100% responsibility: life happens because of me and not to me; and sets a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening and integration of hidden reflections.
In conclusion, there is more than enough of the American Dream to go around. Leaders who are aware of, understand and are committed to conscious evolution of this country will model the way as a person, in relationships and when helping others. “Simply notice” that absent integrally fit leaders, chaos and divisiveness will continue and our Nation will fall well-short of our potential. In our own way, let us each make a difference in the fitness of our Nation’s leadership.
How fit are government leaders? A global worldview offers that world leaders have significant challenges. Unfortunately, amidst the chaos, confusion and delusion created by aroused emotions, blaming, justifying, judgments, excuses and prejudices, it is quite difficult to relax, reflect, focus and simply notice the leadership qualities the conscious evolution of this great Nation requires. A perspective is that today’s challenges and opportunities demand integrally fit leaders who are physically healthy, emotionally balanced, mentally clear and spiritually awake; who are morally solid persons; and who have the background, experience, interests, talents and skills to consciously evolve this Nation for generations to come. Essential leadership competencies for the challenging government assignments are as follows:
TRACK RECORD of LEADERSHIP: Leadership is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical changes that mirror their common purpose.
ETHICAL: The art of being a good person and practicing goodness in everyday life; and it includes all ways of being truthful, authentic, caring and courageous that constitutes integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions and behavior. Ethical persons walk the talk and model the way, set a good example as persons with solid ethics, values and principles; in relationships; and when skillfully helping others. Good leaders provide clarity about institutional values and beliefs and consistently behave, in-line, with these values and beliefs.
CREATES STRATEGIC VISION: Establishes and communicates worldview vision and strategies for the Nation and the globe.
MISSION-PURPOSE-RESULTS DRIVEN: Has peace-of-mind with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion. Has a bias for action, for trying new things and for getting things done. Aggressively pursues objectives and sets high standards for self and others. Takes calculated risks and makes personal sacrifices in order to produce results.
FINANCIAL SAVY: Plans, communicates, monitors and controls, establishes risks, solves problems and makes sound decisions concerning economic and financial performance.
STAFFING and STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Attracts and selects talented people. Assesses the short and long-term needs of the institution and develops plans to improve the overall structure and talent and skill strength of the institution.
QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS and INFLUENCE: Develops, uses and sustains strong, cooperative relationships with persons. Uses effective listening and interpersonal skills to achieve mutual trust and respect. Accomplishes tasks and objectives by resolving conflicts and influencing the actions of others. Is seen as a change agent; and makes a difference when involved.
COMMUNICATIONS: Keeps persons informed and creates communication forums to give and receive information.
BUSINESS and POLITICAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective, is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe. Has street smarts, sizes-up situations quickly, is practical and knows the right things to do and when to do them.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a winning team. Builds commitment to common goals by communicating a sense of mission and by energizing the team. Creates an environment where differences are valued, where systems work equally well for all and wherein persons can retain their uniqueness and contribute at their full potential.
EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Acts appropriately in business, social and political situations. Displays control in complex, ambiguous or stressful situations. Identifies with persons, shares their values and beliefs and is comfortable with them. Works toward mutually carved-out, worldview goals.
HUMAN NEEDS SATISFACTION: Is in-tune with mental and emotional needs of others, cares about people and puts action plans in-place to create an environment to improve the quality of life and personal productivity that is beneficial for persons. Links recognition to accomplishment and shows appreciation and expresses pride in the team’s accomplishments.
HANDLING COMPLEXITY TEMPERAMENT: Analyzes and solves complex problems. Deals effectively with large amounts of data, changing conditions, incomplete data or uncertainty. Understands how seemingly unrelated issues interact and affect one another. Gets to the essence of complex issues quickly, generates a variety of alternative courses of action and makes effective decisions.
IDEA LEADERSHIP: Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
VALUES and PRINCIPLES:
Values: trust and trusted; high integrity; direct; open; honest; caring; compassionate; morality; joy; and hope.
Principles:
-Does not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
-Objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people being served.
-Committed to the concept of 100% responsibility: life happens because of me and not to me. Does not blame others.
-Learns from one’s own experiences in an intentional and self-directed manner and applies that learning to new challenges.
-Sets a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening, ethical behavior and integration of hidden reflections.
In conclusion, there is more than enough of the American Dream to go around. Leaders who are aware of, understand and are committed to conscious evolution of this remarkable country for generations to follow will model the way and emerge to inspire and influence ethical action. Through teamwork, exemplary leadership, goodness and caring attention to detail, we can unleash all that we are and all that we can be. Simply notice that absent fit leaders and leadership, chaos, blaming, making excuses, justifying, confusion, delusion and divisiveness will continue; and our Nation will fall well-short of our potential. In our own way, let us each make a difference in the fitness of our Nation’s leadership.