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All of the Above
Authenticity seems to be a hot topic lately. Books and journal articles about being an authentic leader cite how constituencies have grown to value greater degrees of transparency in their leaders. The subtle inference is that whatever the potentate is thinking or feeling, it is both universal and discrete. And that in revealing their true feelings, we will be able to know what kind of person they truly are. Perhaps strong or stoic? Maybe harmony-driven or expressive? Could be self-centered or generous? It would be convenient if people could actually be captured so succinctly. At lunch recently with some friends, looking at us you might’ve assumed we were all “the same”. By some yardsticks, we are. Two…
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Aura of Invincibility
Tenure. Time in grade. Seniority. No matter how you frame it, people attribute value to the passage of time. There is a perception that people who have been “at it for a while” know the ropes. This is true in settings other than the office. In church, they’re known as “elders”. In AA meetings, they’re referred to as “oldtimers”. Regardless of the moniker, time in grade denotes a certain cachet. The most prevalent is wisdom. While time often rewards us with experience and in turn, experience with learning, time doesn’t eliminate the trials of life. Time doesn’t erase our fear and ego. It doesn’t legitimize self-sufficiency or infallibility. Time makes us no less susceptible to…
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Inner Work
I started writing in response to what Parker J. Palmer defines as “inner work” in his book, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. As opposed to the outer work of our vocations, obligations, or hobbies, inner work is the work of attending to our spirits. I felt called to write. I felt (and ignored) this calling for some time, allowing it to wander about with me like a devoted pet. Finally, I listened. While it might seem that outer work is a requirement of life and inner work is optional, that is not true. Inner work links us to our emotions, spirits, and the places in our gut that drive our actions. Engaging with or leading others…
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Rule of Three
It’s been said that if you feel surrounded by three or more blockheads, the blockhead is you. (During the holidays, you might convince me to go to four; but under normal circumstances, three is the rule.) In this way, our perspective of others’ behavior is actually a helpful barometer of our own. Some people seem to stay wonderfully on the beam all the time. They don’t get rattled. They don’t “take it personally”. They are unflappable. They seem to have discovered ways to remain tolerant and kind effortlessly. I don’t think it’s effortless. Disclaimer: I’m no expert in this space…but I have learned a few things. I like you best when I’m okay with me. When…
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Short Cuts
“Genius is one percent inspiration and 99% perspiration.” – Thomas A. Edison Both humble and profound, Edison’s quote contains a daunting universal truth about what it takes for a person to be remarkable. There are no short cuts to greatness. The poet or musician first internalizes the rules of their craft in order to artfully break them. Professional athletes work tirelessly to build the endurance and muscle memory that allow them to perform effortlessly under extreme conditions. Scientists painstakingly repeat experiments to prove their hypotheses. Yet in the face of countless examples, there appears a corollary to Edison’s truth…or maybe it’s just human nature. We look for short cuts. Why? For one thing, sometimes it works. Sort of. That’s why there are…
