perspectives

Reconsidering LEADERSHIP from Gandhi's Perspective

In recent years, with our 24-hour news cycle and the advances in social media, all of us have witnessed disappointing leadership behavior on many fronts. For some, lives have been deeply impacted by it. It does seem we are overdue for an overhaul of the standard of conduct for leaders at all levels of business, government, and society. The twenty-first century brought with it a reality that has changed the whole landscape of leadership --- regardless of our position or status, we all have opportunities to lead every day by our example. Technology has also made it possible for leadership to be as local as our cell phones and as far-reaching as technology will take us around the world. With all the issues needing our attention, opting out really isn't a responsible option, is it? To create a better world, it is clear we all own our part of it. 

So, how do we begin to renew, revitalize, and recommit ourselves to standards of conduct as leaders in our own right --- so we are ready to respond to the needs and challenges of this new time --- as well as to the people within our spans of influence in the marketplaces, workplaces, neighborhoods, and communities where we live and work?

In considering this question, I immediately thought about Gandhi as a great study and role model. He believed in self-examination and analysis of one's behavior and actions. He did it often. In a cherished book, A Higher Standard of Leadership: Lessons from the Life of Gandhi (Berrett-Koehler 1997), the author Keshavan Nair writes about Gandhi:

"Gandhi demonstrated that personal reflection was a practical endeavor... He analyzed his actions in the weeklies he edited...and in his correspondence with colleagues. None of these time-consuming activities diminished the amount of work he put in; indeed, they sustained him. It is not necessary for us to emulate Gandhi's level of reflection, but we can benefit from the direction he set for himself. ...Disciplined reflection does not take time away from work; it sustains the spirit and increases the intensity and quality of work."

Ongoing Self-REFLECTION IDEA:
We all have to find our own ways to renew ourselves. I share one of mine with you...

In several places in my home, I have small framed signs with one of Gandhi's messages strategically placed to catch my eye during the day, "My life is my message." It is interesting how those five words have shaped so many days --- so many actions --- so many decisions. They place the question of rightness to every action and decision. It is humbling on many days to realize that my humanness has kept me from living up to this proclamation in the way I wished I had.

The Story Behind GANDHI's Words
The story goes like this...
Gandhi remained silent one day a week. He was traveling on a train on the one day a week when he did not speak. When the train made a stop, a journalist rushed up to his window, screaming out to him, "Do you have a message for me to take back to my people." Gandhi scrawled a few words on a piece of paper and put them up in the window... "My life is my message."

 

Over the years I've thought about the commitment this self-imposed standard demands. I've imagined each of us measuring our behavior by it every day with a new kind of consciousness about all we do --- we could change the world in short order, don't you think? How many things would be different throughout the world? Think about it.

In my book, Putting Our Differences to Work, I recount Gandhi's warning to us about the traits that are the most perilous to humanity. We could reverse the realities he warned us about with a collective change in how we think, behave, and operate and by measuring our behavior and actions against the higher standard of leadership he established. Think of it...below I've restated Gandhi's warnings in the affirmative as QUALITIES. Imagine the impact of each of us living up to these QUALITIES:

• Wealth with Work
• Pleasure with Conscience
• Science with Humanity
• Knowledge with Character
• Politics with Principle
• Commerce with Morality
• Worship with Sacrifice

How does your life contribute to fulfilling these virtues?
I leave you as I reconsider this question myself.

Warm regards...

Debbe
 

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
author, Putting Our Differences to Work

Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
** 2010 Axiom Business Book Award Winner  **
Bronze for HR/Employee Training

ORDER a copy at AMAZON.COM

 

Learning from Gandhi

In several places in my home, I have small framed signs with one of Gandhi's messages strategically placed to catch my eye during the day, "My life is my message." It is interesting how those five words have shaped so many days --- so many actions --- so many decisions. They place the question of rightness to every action and decision. It is humbling on many days to realize that my humanness has kept me from living up to this proclamation in the way I wished I had.

GANDHI's Message
The story goes like this:
Gandhi remained silent one day a week. He was traveling on a train on the one day a week when he did not speak. A journalist came up to his window, screaming out to him, "Do you have a message for me to take back to my people." Gandhi scrawled a few words on a piece of paper and put them up in the window... "My life is my message."

Over the years as I've thought alot about the commitment this message takes, I realize that if each of measured our behavior by it every day with a new kind of consciousness about all we do, we could change the world in short order, don't you think? How many things would be different throughout the world? Think of it.

In my book, Putting Our Differences to Work, recount Gandhi's warning to us about the personal traits that are the most perilous to humanity. Imagine how we could change the realities today by changing and measuring our behavior and actions. I also introduce Five Distinctive Qualities of Leadership and propose each of us add them to our portfolio. The one that seems to embrace all the others is "make mutualism the final arbiter" for all actions and decisions (e.g., behavior, products, services, profit-making) measured by just six powerful words:

Everyone benefits; no one is harmed.

With this conscious shift in our thinking and actions, we could reverse those personal traits that caused Gandhi worry. Think of it...

• Wealth with Work
• Pleasure with Conscience
• Science with Humanity
• Knowledge with Character
• Politics with Principle
• Commerce with Morality
• Worship with Sacrifice

How does your life stack up and contribute to these virtues?
I leave you as I ponder this question myself.

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
author, Putting Our Differences to Work

new book!
Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership and High Performance
by Debbe Kennedy ▪ Berrett-Koehler ▪ 2008 – Hardcover
ORDER a copy at AMAZON.COM

Putting Our Differences to Work was selected as as among
"the very top business books" for review in August, 2008.
Read it!

Also available in DIGITAL DOWNLOAD at Berrett-Koehler

Obama: Fired UP and Ready to GO!

Tonight there seems to be an almost silent calm. Even the spammers aren't spamming. It's like we are collectively holding our breath. There is sense of our nation and our global neighbors being in a kind of unity. If the World Could Vote and Bridges for Obama demonstrate this phenomenon.

Our collective hopes seem to be coming together even in small ways. Today I was walking down the street and I met the smile of a Latino restaurant worker taking a break outside. I said, "One more day!" and then we traded thumbs up and beamed each other a big grin, knowing we were engaged in the same promise.

Before I cast my VOTE tomorrow in person at my polling place, I decided to write down my thoughts on why I am VOTING for Barack Obama to be our President. From a leadership standpoint within this long two years, I say "ditto" to the brilliance, vision, and approach to governing and other specifics that Colin Powell outlined when he announced his endorsement of Senator Obama. I also couldn't say it better than Fareed Zakaria in his compelling endorsement. Beyond these specifics, I also believe what we've witnessed and experienced from Senator Obama in the last two years is the most telling in how he plans to govern our country at this critical time in history.

Here is a summary of my observations about Barack Obama:

1. He proved that his "community organizer" experience mattered. He built a magnificent team and  highly innovative approach to his very disciplined campaign that has engaged our nation and the world in ways we could have never imagined. I love thinking about having a President again that can learn from their experiences and apply their knowledge to complex problems, using innovation and brainpower to redefine what has been done before.

2. He led an inclusive campaign inviting us all in, building a sense of unity among us, and stretching our own limitations to reach for goals higher than any party affiliation. I want our president to care and respect all people. We've got to move beyond dividing our country and the world with hurtful labels and exclusion.

3. He has been steady, clear, and unruffled by the constant stream of "McCain Palin" mud, challenging them at each turn with bigger ideas and focused attention. "You don't need to boo; just vote!" he told us.

On the other hand, John McCain seemed to sell out and it was both sad and disappointing from a man with a distinguished career of service. His mean-spirited, angry, disorganized, dishonorable, and dishonest campaign didn't reflect the temperament and qualities I believe we need in a President for the twenty-first century. We need new language --- "fighting" is not the strategy that will heal the world. Without discounting Sarah Palin's accomplishments in Alaska, McCain's choice of her for Vice President of the United States of America has proven by her own behavior and actions to be a choice that would put our country at risk because of her lack of readiness for this level of office. I admit she is a good campaigner, but I don't personally believe this translates to qualifications for Vice President and President of the United States when our country is in crisis and war. This was clearly a reflection on Senator's McCain poor judgment.

Tonight  Senator Obama in his final campaign rally before 100,000 people in Virginia, reminded us that we are less than 24 hours away from voting in the change we need.

May God grant us the will to live up to "Yes, WE CAN!".

I am fired up! ...and ready to go!

MOST OF ALL...VOTE!

Politics of Hope, Original Oil by Sally K. Green - www.sallykgreen.com

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
author and founder, President and CEO
Global Dialogue Center and Leadership Solutions Companies

New Book! Putting Our Differences to Work
Learn more: www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Berrett-Koehler - BK Business

 

Belief and Action Change the World

A few years ago, quite by chance, I happened upon a best-selling book written in 1947 by Claude Bristol called The Magic of Believing. In it he speaks of the power of belief---the kind of belief that can change a mindset, a community and the world. One analogy he uses demonstrates the connection between planting seeds and the power behind the action that follows:

"Once the soil is prepared and the tiny seeds are placed in it, it is but a short time when they put forth roots, and sprouts begin to appear. The moment they start upward through the soil in search of light, sunshine and moisture, obstacles mean nothing to them. They push aside small stones or bits of wood, and if they can't do it, they'll extend themselves and grow around them. They are determined to emerge from the ground."

We have planted the seeds of change throughout the world. Even with the most miserable things happening around the world, you can almost feel the seeds of change as they move upward, upward. The sprouts have made their way through the most rocky soil and there is a ways to go---and we can see them reaching up and bearing fruit in some places. Now, it is up to us to keep the momentum alive by cultivating all the good things we envision for this world of ours. Attending to its needs. Giving it the sunshine and water of our mindshare and actions. We are the force that give this world life.

"There is no better companion on this way than what you do.
Your actions will be your best friend."

---Jalau'ddin Rumi
Mystic Persian Poet
Hold this thought!

Debbe

Debbe Kennedy
Founder, Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com
http://www.debbekennedy.com