This has been a sad week with the untimely passing of Michael Jackson, the undeniable King of Pop. It has been one of those moments in time that unexpectedly offers us an an opportunity to take a deep look at ourselves --- to observe our behavior and actions toward others that are DIFFERENT than we are and ask some reflective questions. In a cherished old book I read that to look at oneself once in a while is a solemn, serious, necessary, and sometimes frightening personal responsibility --- one that many of us avoid at all costs. Michael Jackson invited us to take such an examination of ourselves with a compelling call-to-action:
"If YOU wanna make the WORLD a better place take a look at yourself and then make a CHANGE." --- Man in the Mirror In the past few days, we've had a chance to see the best in human kindness and respect as the news of Michael's death has traveled throughout the globe. We've also seen the worst of our human demons broadcast over and over on center stage designed to denigrate Michael's legacy and contributions to get a scoop, grab a headline, be #1 in ratings or whatever. These same things [perhaps much worse] happen every day. We've gotten used it. Our society now lives in part on lies, half-truths, disrespectful opinions, assassinations of character, mean-spirited name-calling, and the art of getting a scoop or gaining attention no matter who is hurt in the process. Exploiting one another for our own self-interests and gain is now a reality that is part of day-to-day life. But does it have to be? Is this the lesson we want to leave for those looking to us for leadership? It is often in tragedy that we are compelled to stop long enough to see our own MOMENTS of TRUTH and change our ways.
Each of us has many DIMENSIONS of DIFFERENCE filtered through our past and present. Undoubtedly, at some time in our lives we felt insecure, ridiculed by someone, dissatisfied with ourselves...and many of us can recant stories of bullying, name calling, disregard and disrespect in our own lives. I am one. Imagine how such experiences feel to a human being when the hurt is magnified in global celebrity and isolation --- where is our compassion? In one of Michael Jackson's "Tributes" on CNN, I heard an CNN attorney say, "He didn't look like anyone we've ever seen before." Does this really justify our disrespect and hateful behavior? LEARNING TO SEE DIFFERENCES DIFFERENTLY "Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes. ...the ones who see things differently—they’re not fond of rules. . . . You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can’t do is ignore them because they change things . . . they push the human race forward." Michael Jackson was one of those who in his own right --- in his life and legacy moved music and dance to new levels we once couldn't imagine. It opened doors. It moved many forward. Perhaps, in his passing, we can begin to grasp the opportunity that sits in front of us to elevate the significance of the DIFFERENCES we see in others, recognizing how important they are to our future. Because I lead a technological research university, I frequently address the topics of innovation and discovery, and my point is that diversity is a kind of energy—a power which generates the new, the unique, the innovative, the excellent. Diversity advances innovation to meet global challenges. Innovation is advanced by chance, by challenge, by choices, and by informed coincidence. It is nourished—it is powered—by the full breadth of diversity, and, overall, by the quest for excellence. Diversity Thank you, Michael! What are your thoughts? Debbe Debbe Kennedy Facebook http://profile.to/debbekennedy/
In a well-known address a few years back, Steve Jobs, APPLE's CEO, offered a different argument about the significance of those we find to be DIFFERENT:
Organizations and individuals all over the world are discovering that putting our DIFFERENCES to work in new and unique ways is the most powerful accelerator for generating new ideas, creating innovative solutions, executing organizational strategies, and engaging everyone in the process. In my book, Putting Our Differences to Work, Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute affirmed this truth and again tells why we must learn to SEE DIFFERENCES DIFFERENTLY.
is an energy which powers this quest.
To create an environment which is conducive to breakthrough ideas, one must not exclude from the great mix—from the great diversity—because one of those ideas or those elements may, indeed, be the piece which sparks the next great innovation.
C'mon Stand Up And Lift Yourself, Now! MAKE THAT CHANGE
I'm deeply grateful that I experienced Michael Jackson's gift. As a friend on Facebook said the other day, we have to make that change one "moon walk at a time."
founder, Global Dialogue Center
and Leadership Solutions Companies
author, Putting Our Differences to Work(Berrett-Koehler 2008)
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership, and High Performance
YouTube Book Review by futurist Joel A. Barker
Twitter @onlinedialogues and @debbekennedy
It has been comforting to receive messages from people about this MJ post. Some have heard to call. Others we have in the experience and in reflection have seen themselves in some way in this tragedy. Each little bit of consciousness matters I think, don't you?
FINAL REFLECTIONS: One of the Gifts of recent days is that in MJ's tragedy, celebration, and farewell there were the stories told among friends --- little bits of the experience touched us and we dared to look in the mirror at ourselves.
"We are the mirror and the face in it." --- Rumi
Posted by: debbe kennedy | July 08, 2009 at 05:13 PM
Great post, Debbe!
I am keenly aware of being soemwhat out of sync with much of the world on MJ. For me, the trajedy of watching this incredibly gifted and talented young boy go in such a self destructive direction saddened me to such a degree that even his music couldn't override that for me. His many friendships with people I respect, like Qincy Jones and many others, imply for me that there was something that remained special in this many despite his self-destructive tendencies... how sad that such a talent and force of nature would be so unhappy.
And, now, like you say, he's being so exploited by the media, having a field day somewhat reminescent of OJ drama some years back. Did you happen to see The Dailey Show's tear on The Today Show and Good Morning America's tour of the MJ house, NBC explaining what was here and there because the Neverland mansion was completly EMPTY! Is this obsession or what?
Well, now I have had my own tear. Thanks for stirring me up.
May the man rest in peace, finally.
Posted by: John Renesch | July 09, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Dear John,
Thanks for you lovely note. You are right there are so many things about MJ's passing that are so very sad. I think it is clear from history of great legends that we isolate them in their fame --- call them names --- make up mean stuff and twist what is true into some horror story all for a rise from someone to make money. Then we wonder what drove them to destruction when they gave us all they had. I actually have seen this happen in companies too, haven't you?
I've continued to try to see the good in Michael's passing. One specific is this kind of dialogue and examination of conscience, yes?
Tonight on Facebook, I posted one final remembrance as this week comes to a close. It is worth the WATCH and LISTEN...with Berry Gordy Quote below --- I do think you'll relate to this music. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ane6VJGlIMs
EARLY MOON WALKING: "Little Michael's performance was way beyond his years. This little kid had a knowing-ness about him. ...He sang [Who's Loving You] with the sadness and passion of a man who had been living the blues and heartbreak his whole life." --- Berry Gordy, founder Motown, MJ Eulogy
Warm regards,
Debbe
Posted by: debbe kennedy | July 09, 2009 at 10:51 PM