Bountiful Leadership

Dale Carnegie's very first principle around Leadership was "Don't criticize, condemn or complain." It was always my Understanding and humble contention that he was not saying pretend that there is nothing to do such around. It was not toxic positivity but genuine Optimism that he saw things from, as perspective. That said, he understood that criticizing, condemning and complaining got in the way of actually doing something constructive. They distract us (and others) from coming up with solutions. The naysaying actually says and does nothing except say "nay". We need better.

Problems, Learning and Solving

This is not to say that we cannot learn from the problems of the past or present. Indeed we can and must. It is to say that the learning is not about criticizing, condemning and complaining. It is about finding what we need as solutions and as betterment. As I recall, my father never said these actual words but his actions often communicated them.

• "Don't bring me your problems, bring me your solutions."

Dale Carnegie might say, "Don't bring me your criticisms, condemnations and complaints, bring me your solutions." There is Wisdom in that. There is a better focus in that. As I celebrate Naw Ruz (New Year) following on a 19 Day Fast with plenty of spiritual reflection, I am ever more decisively reminded that my focus needs be on solutions in Life, and the World. And, I am reminded that the practice of Bounty matters in doing so.

The Need for Bounty

Bounty is a Virtue ... and is actually the better "picker upper", lol. The practice of criticizing, condemning and complaining... is, in large part, grounded in a sense of "lack". Greed and avarice are grounded in a sense of lack. Much of our fear is grounded in a sense of lack. The argument for distributive negotiation over integrative negotiation is too. And yes... criticism, condemnation and complaint are too often as well. Without something constructive to offer and without the desire to work together to solve problems, it is so incredibly easy to spend our energies on criticizing, condemning and complaining.

Now, again, this is not to say that there is nothing in Life and the World that needs addressing. This is to say that the constant chirping on our criticisms, condemnations and complaints ... is grounded in a conscious or unconscious sense of scarcity or lacking. And, it is ego driven in that our criticisms, condemnations and complaints are helpful in saying how "right" we are. I strongly suggest that in matters of economics, technology, social justice, nation building and more (individually and collectively) ... so long as we focus on the lack, through our criticizing, condemning and complaining on what is "wrong" (and how we are somehow right)... we are not focusing on the practice of Bounty and what needs to be done. We need do better.

Bounty presumes we have and are enough, for whatever faces us. It is ready to solve, not fearful with ego, greed or sense of lack. With Bounty, solutions are always possible; and we understand that the solutions are found within our collective Wisdom.

We need dialogue and true conversation to come up with those solutions too. In Higher Purpose and Unity... I explored on the need for elevated conversation, capacity and Character. I think such is strengthened with the practice of Bounty, as Virtue; as Strength of Character. If we come to the proverbial table with the win-win mind-and-heart-set of Bounty, our dialogue, conversation and solutions are not hindered by the slippery slope of the ego-driven naysaying that is the shaming and blaming of criticizing, condemning and complaining.

For Each of Us

For me, I am ever more reminded of my own need to explore and advance on Character and Purpose, and on developing Unity. I need to ever better focus on what I am at... advancing on my Just Cause of Humans Together Strong. I ever more increasingly need to focus on my ongoing and evolving sense of work and Service ... to that claimed Cause... over the criticizing, condemning and complaining in the World. Without actually learning from our problems and issues, that criticizing, condemning and complaining is but a distraction from doing anything constructive. To be honest, I have come to practice the avoiding of such pretty well, but we live in a world full of it now, it seems, and we best need to get increasingly more effective at facing and addressing the change and challenges of the Day, with solutions for the betterment of the world and future. So, I ask...

• How might we each avoid the seduction of criticizing, condemning and complaining so that we better focus on working together to find solutions that help the World, and our corners of it?
• How might we better be the proverbial knife slicing through the butter of criticizing, condemning and complaining... and getting to wise solutions?
• How might we better focus on creative problem solving at home, school, work, business, play and community?

Critical thinking is indeed important but it does not imply the often incessant criticizing, condemning and complaining. True critical thinking is about learning so that we can more creatively solve on problems needing addressing. In finding our best solutions, I offer up here that the practice of that win-win mind-and-heart-set of Bounty... it matters. And individually, in our own arenas of Life (Health, Work, Service, Relations and more), the same holds true. We can learn from the past, but the whole exercise of criticizing, condemning and complaining does not do any of us, any Service... whether we are doing it to others or ourselves. Stoicism speaks to this need to avoid such, indeed and in deed. That all said, in working together to find solutions at home, school, work, business, play and community, what would an individual and collective sense and practice of Bounty look like, in avoiding the quagmire and trap of criticizing, condemning and complaining?

Final Thoughts, for Now

In closing, for now, I offer just four thoughts.

• First, when we face our own individual challenges, practicing the Virtue that is Bounty helps us understand the capacities and resources within and around us.
• Second, when our companies, organizations and communities face their challenges, practicing the Virtue that is Bounty helps us understand the capacities and resources within and around the collective us.

• Third, (and speaking as a humbly proud Canadian) Canada is Bountiful, whether some see it or not. We have so very much to offer the World, especially when we collectively see it, and approach ever building this wondrous Nation.
• Fourth, please know that, in this post, the multiple offerings of the Bounty Virtues Card were Bountiful and Purposeful.

I am moving forward, deepening both my Understanding of Bounty and its best practice. Let us sharpen the blades on the practice of Bountiful Leadership at home, school, work, business, play, community, country and commonwealth around the World.

Happy Naw Ruz!

Peace, Purpose, Justice and Unity...

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy with Epic Engage

• I am an Educator, Speaker, Coach, Author and Creator helping Educators, Entrepreneurs and Emerging Leaders lead for a better world with Character, Purpose and Unity. I help advance Character, Purpose and Unity as forces for that better world. In so doing, I bring my work as Master Facilitator with the Virtues Project? ... my experience as a Certified Facilitator with Personality Dimensions? ... and my Service as a Facilitator with the Ruhi Institute and as Practitioner of the work of What Color is Your Parachute? since 1982. I invite you to check out
• Character and Purpose
• Developing commUNITY
• On Being a PEACE of WORK
• Congruence as Strength
• 6 Strategies for building Character Leadership
• The Humanity Map
• TUGtv...
• ... and The #hUmaNITY Podcast ... officially launching in March 2025...

I Serve...

Through...

• "I had the distinct pleasure of being in an audience in Montreal with Barry Lewis Green on the stage. Quite simply, Barry absolutely captivated us with his talent, his message, and his heart. The feeling of Unity that Barry created in the room that day was extraordinary. I absolutely recommend him for your meeting or event." --- Joe Calloway

• "The Mount Pearl Paradise Chamber of Commerce were fortunate enough to have Barry Lewis Green as a presenter for a Webinar Series we recently offered. He was so engaged with his audience and made everyone feel valued. He brought excitement and energy to our session and certainly shared his passion and knowledge with us. We will certainly be having Barry back for another series. Thanks Barry for being so professional." --- Wanda Palmer

• "I had the privilege of collaborating with Barry on one of our projects, Her Own Boss. His skill in value-based facilitation is nothing short of transformative. With a warm, inclusive teaching style, he connected deeply with our participants, helping them uncover their core values and guiding them in applying these principles to their businesses. I heard great things about him from our previous cohort and I witnessed that firsthand when I attended some of his sessions. If you're looking for someone who can train you/your team in values-driven facilitation, look no further than Barry." --- Serah Gazali

• "The most learned or experienced person is not always the one who helps us grow and thrive. We all grow and thrive with those who ask the important questions in a loving and Noble manner - with the patience to allow our thinking to unfold, our feelings to emerge and our spirits to soar. This is what being in the same space with Barry is like. Working with Barry on #hUmaNITY is such a joy. I feel the excitement of standing before a blank canvas at the beginning of every gathering, exploring the depths of our creative energies throughout the conversations shared, and emerging at the end with a piece that I could not have painted singularly even on my best days. That is what conversations with Barry feels like. He is organized and efficient. Fearless and Bold. Lives with arms wide open.... and has the best questions (which begin with "I wonder....") asked in a most inclusive manner within a safe space that I often forget we are recording and that others will be witnessing our responses." --- Russell Zehtab

• "Barry is compassionately honest. He has the talent to say what needs to be said in a way that people "get" it. His honesty and intelligence come through whether he is presenting on stage or just hanging out with friends. And...have you heard him sing? Man... he has a set of lungs that can wail a tune. Talented, smart and funny, when he takes the stage, he commands the stage." --- Lea Brovedani

• "It takes immense strength of character to insistently amplify the goodness of every individual whose destiny crosses path with one’s own, no matter how briefly. This is who Barry is. The precious gift of Barry’s faith in you compels an irrepressible desire to show up as the best version of yourself. And in a world aching for radical hope and pragmatic wisdom, Barry is the gentle torch bearer whose light is constant amidst the maelstrom of fads. Should you then find your path intersecting with Barry’s, pause for a while in his companionship, and make space for the gift of his life-changing attention. I know because I paused. Barry, my heart continues to expand with immense gratitude for your indescribable presence. And this gift of an expanding heart, is priceless ??" --- Dr. Roslina Chai

• "Working with Barry Lewis Green is a lovely silver lining to navigating through Covid times. We connected for thoughtful monthly Digital Coffees. Barry’s ease with the art of meaningful conversation and asking questions that inspire me to dig deeper always result in a joy-filled journey through many topics. I am one of many colleagues Barry engages with regularly for TUG TV - so many topics, something truly for everyone! Barry’s charismatic personality and zeal for life makes it an absolute joy to work on any project with him. And just wait until Barry launches his BOXSA project!" --- Elaine Dunphy

• "Barry has a presence...I have known of Barry’s work for many years but have gotten to know him as a friend and colleague within the past five. Whether it be in person or during a presentation, he has the uncanny ability to pull on all of your emotions while driving home key messages that provide personal clarity. Barry’s presentation skills can be explained as ‘heavy metal hits’ meets ‘folk tunes’ meets ‘sounds of nature’. He has an arsenal of skills that is quite eclectic. As a Master Facilitator for The Virtues Project and several other impactful programs, he combines a wealth of knowledge with his own extensive library of content creations. He is highly respected and well-connected within the speaking and social action communities. Barry is a true champion of character leadership. He ‘talks the talk’ and ‘walks the walk’. He approaches each and every interaction with passion and ZEAL! I highly recommend reaching out to Barry for collaboration opportunities." --- Trent Langdon

• Barry is a skilled interviewer with insatiable curiosity, and a well practiced initiative virtue that guides him in pursuing the development of character in his teaching, coaching and interviewing endeavors. He bills himself as TUG (The Unity Guy) and EPIC Engage; very accurate monikers for what he does with such excellence. --- Christine Ayling

• "Barry is one of those too-good-to-be true humans who strives to help and inspire other people above all else. He is continuously focused on enhancing the collective good. I really enjoyed collaborating with Barry and look forward to seeing all of his content in the future." --- Elizabeth Burt

• I consider Barry not only an educator, but a true leader. He teaches in the moment- providing the reality of our evolving business world and passes along his insight and perspective that helps people to think outside the box and to value adaptability and flexibility as forms of succession. He is bold, courageous and fun! He puts his ALL in and goes above and beyond to help another! It was an honor having him as a HR Instructor and Business Planning Coach for two years and will continue to be an honor as I pursue my career and maintain a meaningful and beneficial relationship as a CNA Alumni and friend to Barry. --- Jess Jones

• "I've had the pleasure of knowing Barry for over twenty years as a leader, group facilitator, engaging speaker and inspiring educator. I participated in a transformative corporate team building day that Barry designed and delivered to my Skills Canada colleagues from across the country; all participants felt it was an impactful and motivating PD session that inspired trust and action. Barry has volunteered with Skills Canada for over twenty years as the emcee for the most important and cumulative event of the year - our Annual Awards Ceremony. Barry skillfully and humorously keeps the crowd engaged and entertained while maintaining flow and procedure. Barry is also a mentor to our Entrepreneurial program, and as a well-respected educator has inspired several highly-skilled graduates to seek employment with our organization and amplify his impact. Barry is unique, talented, authentic and leads with passion." --- Carole Ann Ryan