The hatred and disrespect surfacing in the debate about health care reform and education and other discussions in recent days has gone wild. Much of it isn't about these topics, but something more disturbing --- a real contempt for others --- an unwillingness to consider anything new and different.
I keep wondering how our children will be influenced by watching the adults, serving as their role models, as they invest in passions that result in spewing hate and disrespect. After all, our children do look to all of us for LEADERSHIP, yes?
However, as I worried about this on a morning walk, I came across these poppies sprouting from a crack in my driveway. An over-powering cypress tree broke it. As I looked at them and snapped a photo, I had this revelation...
When things are broken, sometimes it makes way for something beautiful to emerge. d.k.
Being the CHANGE
Changing all that's broken isn't easy. It involves listening more, thinking through, re-evaluating, and starting with an openness that only comes with a "beginner's mind." As I wrote in my book, being asked to fundamentally change the rules in how we think, act, and operate as leaders may seem to be a tall order for many of us. At the same time, there is something familiar about being called to change ourselves in order to lead the way. In times of both crisis and opportunity, leaders are often asked to reinvent themselves; to redirect their attention in some significant way in order for them to champion a transformation of some kind. This is one of those times we’re being called on to put our differences to work to forge a new path.
In my own leadership life, I recall another poignant time in history when I was reminded that it is the role of leadership to pioneer new trails, so others will feel safe to follow. I'm still moved by what a senior leader at IBM said to me about why I was one of those being called to lead the way. “You have been invited here at this time in our history—because of all you’ve enjoyed.”
It seems the needs for change are calling us in a similar way, because of all we've enjoyed. We are the ones—the leaders, the innovators, the aspiring leaders, and individual contributors that will plant the seeds that will mend the broken places to make way for the beautiful results of change to emerge for the good of all.
Best...
Debbe
Debbe Kennedy
founder, President and CEO Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership,
and High Performance (Berrett-Koehler 2008)
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