Another Path to Lead
Barry Lewis Green
Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator ... advancing Character Leadership and Education ... to move forward together, stronger ... engaging change.
Recently, I wrote on The Character LENS to Lead. Today, I offer a thought on same. There is much work to do in this world. And, it can be overwhelming; if we let it. Or it can be underwhelming, if we avoid it. So, where is that best and middle ground? As a Baha'i, I am reminded of these words... "The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct."
In a world where we are far too often "convinced" that we ourselves are right... in a world of drama and distraction, we must needs keep our eyes on the prize; bringing our best selves to the table that is life, and living it. That is living nobly, and I humbly but assertively contend that we need such, probably more than ever. There is enough legitimate challenge in the world and the world needs us, now... at home, school, work, business and community. That said, it need not be overwhelming. That said, we do not need to individually save or change the world. We need to show up, bringing our best selves to it; doing our own part... conversing and working with each other... one conversation and interaction at a time. Indeed, I recently shared on 6 questions of culture and cultures meeting that speaks to this somewhat. That said...
HUMBLE and NOBLE
At home, school, work, business and community... building better campuses, companies, communities, countries and commonwealths... we accomplish same "through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct." Character matters. Purpose matters. Unity matters. Let us work on ourselves. Let us not be distracted. Let us show up best ... as us.
As I embark on a bit of a new era... I am ever more aware that fame, fortune, celebrity, materialism and more will fight for our attention. Even arenas of "spiritualism" often get enmeshed in ego and those same forces and faces of fame, fortune, celebrity, materialism and more. Ego is seductive that way. Humility matters in its best form. With it, we are better guided where to bring ourselves, within and without. With it, we value the thoughts and feelings of ourselves and others. With it, we are more willing to give and receive help. With it, we are better prepared to admit our own mistakes, and allow others theirs. With it, we are more resilient, knowing we are all works in progress. With it, we are more grateful and graceful. With it, we have the best of teachers; life itself. I know where I will be placing my energies and attention, and where I will not. I know how I need work on my own studentry. And then there is Nobility...
With it, we understand our own noble nature, and that of others. We live by higher standards for ourselves; righteous, not self-righteous. There is a difference... and it is huge. Our Righteousness motivates us to do what is right and noble. Self-righteousness tries to convince us that we have the "right" to impose same on others.
IMAGINE
Imagine leadership guided by Humility and Nobility.
Imagine it in education, business and all arenas of human endeavour. Imagine it at home, school, business and community. Imagine it in how we see each other at whatever "station" in life. Imagine... humble, kind and noble leadership... front and top lines and everywhere in between. Imagine it with our customers, clients, colleagues and constituents. Imagine it with friends, family and strangers. Imagine the Strength that is forged with both Humility and Nobility... in practice. Just imagine.
Rise
This not Panacea nor Utopia. It is Strength in action. Other choice words that speak to me this day are "Noble have I created thee, yet thou hast abased thyself. Rise then unto that for which thou wast created." This is, I offer, leadership at its best, in action. It is pure and goodly deeds, commendable and seemly conduct... in action. It betters the world, locally, globally and glocally. And it starts with us, our best us. So, I humbly suggest that we make a conscious effort to identify our Hell Yeah spaces for constructive attention. The world needs us.... and right now. We need to transcend the distractions and drama that calls out to us like shiny bobbles. We need to rise and rise and rise above this combined force of distraction; and be our own heroic selves.
Focus
As I ponder my own new eight-year Vision... I know where I will place my energies...
... and where I will not. As I burn my own boxes... I have inventoried (graffiti style) what matters to me over these next eight years, ahead of 70; and in alignment with the time frame of the global goals. As I have reflected on my best lean LIFE/work Plan, I have thought upon my own most human efforts to manifest those pure and goodly deeds, and that commendable and seemly conduct. The mirage-like forces of fame, fortune, celebrity, materialism be damned. Nope. Nada. They are off my board.
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YOU?
How about you? What humbly and nobly and rightly matters most to you? What matters most that you will take the big swings on, undistracted by the petulant drama? Create your own board and play it well. Optimism Primed... forward.... another path to lead.
Peace, passion, purpose and prosperity...
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LEAD. INSPIRE. EDUCATE. UNITE.
I?am an Activant too; an Educator and Entrepreneur by experience, education and?Enthusiasm... with 40 years in leadership training and development, 27 years in business college education and 20 years certified and associated with?The Virtues Project. Additionally certified for 16 years in Temperament Assessment and with a longstanding body of work around Character Leadership, I help advance?conversation, consultation and capacity around?Character,?Purpose?and?Unity...?and?the?global goals. My work in business and education is to help those building a better world at school, work, business and community; locally and globally.?Humans together, strong.... that is?my?meaning... and?the space I can stay forever. To that?just cause, I commit.