LEADERSHIP calls us from many vantage points in our lives. It reaches beyond simply our day-to-day work, don't you think?
There has been so much turmoil all around us this year. Finger-pointing, name-calling, disrespect, disregard of others, yelling at one another, venting of frustrations, fear popping out everywhere. Many of our personal beliefs have been challenged, confronted, and plenty forced into re-evaluation. Whenever I see the "big" examples that make the news, I am reminded that these same struggles hit each of our lives in ways that are subtle, seemingly small and under reported.
Why is it that we can't be more loving and caring with one another?
How does this calling reach out to us as leaders?
Personally, after many mistakes, my share of life's tragedies and years of soul-searching --- being lost and found --- I have come to realize in my reality that the most powerful influence of Grace and Good comes from how we live, not what we say. For example, I have a friend who is uniquely different in just about everything. We rarely directly talk about our differences, but we have found ways to weave and integrate the good that comes from both our perspectives on life into a meaningful friendship, each growing and changing in our own way.
This morning, I read a passage from Don Miguel Ruiz book, The Four Agreements ...actually I have a little box on my desk with cards in it that have the "pearls and gems" from the book. The four agreements are:
1. Be impeccable with your word.
2. Don't take anything personally.
3. Don't make assumptions.
4. Always do your best.
The two on top of the deck today came from "Don't make Assumptions"...
"The problem with making assumptions is that we believe they are the truth. We make an assumption. We misunderstand. We take it personally, then we react by sending emotional poison with our word. This creates a whole big drama for nothing."
"Real love is accepting other people the way they are without trying to change them..."
What are you willing to do to make yourself and your life a beacon of acceptance for others that may be different from you?
I would like to know what you think.
Warm regards to all, Debbe Buy a Copy of Putting Our Differences to Work
Facebook http://profile.to/debbekennedy/Debbe Kennedy
founder, Global Dialogue Center
home of Women in the Lead
author, Putting Our Differences to Work
The Fastest Way to Innovation, Leadership,
and High Performance| Berrett-Koehler 2008
www.puttingourdifferencestowork.com
Twitter @onlinedialogues and @debbekennedy
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/debbekennedy
How very true...anyone can say the words but it is our actions that speak the loudest.
We are not in easy times, but still these times are times of growth within each of us. Some of us will see this and move forward, sadly others will not. The ebb and flow of life.
Once again we are being tested but now globally and collectively more than ever I think.
Thank you for sharing once again about leadership Debbe
Best wishes always
Nina
Posted by: Janina Browarska | August 23, 2009 at 12:48 AM