DISCOVERING THE POWER OF CHANGE

When considering the myriads of challenges facing our community in 2022, I can safely say that many if not most of us are feeling various amounts of apprehension. As we are still struggling with the impacts of yet another potential set of lockdowns and new COVID variant restrictions, many of us are seeking new operational structures and systems. If any singular truth remains a constant, it's that the leader defines the corporate reality and therefore the leaders' strengths and flaws will also be reflected within that system as well.?Shakespeare?said, "This above all: to thine own self be true,?And it must follow, as the night the day, ?Thou canst not then be false to any man." The meaning is clear, to remain true to oneself, requires openness, and a keen quality of vulnerability when it comes to seeking new approaches to the creation and management of operational structures.?

In that regard, if?I could recommend one book to read as the first book of 2022 it would be this book:?The Web of Life: A New Scientific Understanding of Living Systems by?Fritjof Capra. To me, having a fundamental grasp of living systems should be a leadership 101 requirement. This book goes a long way to providing these understandings, and it is within these living principals that leaders can begin to discover the key to transform themselves into more adaptable and effective leaders. When the leadership grows and changes for the better, then so will the company and management structures. And trust me, our survival when facing the rigors of the coming year will be directly proportionate to our leader's ability to identify, grasp, and quickly adapt to the emergent challenges.

DISCOVERING THE POWER OF CHANGE

For many, standing on the precipice of a New Year and looking into the future glass darkly can be as frightening as it is hopeful. The un-known, the un-expected, and prospect of carrying lingering un-resolved issues forward into a new year can be disheartening to say the least. But it is also widely recognized as having the potential to become a doorway to new habits, behaviors, forgiveness, and resolutions to change harmful thinking and actions.

The key question is always how can we experience change? How can we set ourselves up for success. What steps should we take to walk through the door into the new year and accomplish the goals we wish to set for ourselves? I do not have answers to any of these questions for anyone other than myself, but I will share what I have learned over the years through many cycles of trial and error.

If we want to change our direction, we need to try new trails, and open ourselves to new scenery. A little background first: I was very fortunate to grow up before video games, and in a rural blue-collar household run by a mother and father who were each World War 2 Veterans and NCO’s. My childhood as all about roots and fruit. Excuses were not tolerated, we did what we were told, exactly how we were told, when we were told. We had to learn how to pay attention to details and the big picture simultaneously. We were only rewarded when we did something worthy of a reward.

I was never given an allowance. I was given a dollar on my birthdays, back when it cost 25 cents to see a movie. We rarely received toys as gifts, but we did receive gifts of good clothing or equipment to help with our jobs. I rode my first horse by myself on my 5th birthday, and my family broke tradition and splurged for a brand-new cowboy hat. (It was a very big deal as these were expensive and deemed a wasteful expense for children because they are outgrown so quickly.) John Deere or Kenworth Ballcaps were the norm until we were “fully growed.” What does this have to do with changing direction, in my book, everything.

As I see it, one of the fundamental problems with folks today is the lack of proper roots. In the 3 generations since mine, many parents have abandoned their faith in God, along with an understanding of the critical importance of teaching their children fundamental truths like the existence and absolute power of our Creator, and living principals like respect, honor, self-reliance, self-sacrifice, humility, the power of a hand-shake, giving and keeping your word, standing your ground when it comes to principals, defending the weak, and the importance of living by a personal code of conduct.

When we were not working or reading, we were forced to go outside and play. So, we spent time developing our imagination, observing nature, its creatures, cycles, power, and its infinite expressions, big and small. Having grown up in this environment, when someone says to me that I need to change something about me, or my conscience pings me to stop and move in a different direction, I have a foundation to build from. It has been said many times that you cannot fill a cup that is already full. The cup must be empty to be filled. To me this has always been about removing distractions and getting back to basics. I always start by examining what my cup has been filled with. Most folks today, spend most of their free time doing things that condition them against any real change.

In today’s world, which is pretty much dominated by social media, free time consists of daily selfies of oneself doing what they have done day after day, year after year. Many cannot recognize how self-absorbed they have become, because their acquaintances are just like them, doing the same. It is within the cycles of these behaviors, that many of the concerns folks would like to change about themselves reside.

One of the positive things about social media is that once you have put it out there, it’s out there “forever.” When thinking about change and where to begin, it can be instructive to spend a good hour or so reviewing your Facebook posts for the past several months and documenting your principal focus. If it is food, drinking, or endless pictures of yourself, and you want to adjust your weight, intake of alcohol, circle of friends or habits, then the answer to where you might begin is right there in front of you. I am speaking from experience when I say that this can be a very enlightening and painful exercise.

A little over 5 years ago after reviewing a few months of my social media posts, I came face to face with the fact that I was a mostly angry, excessive drinker, who was pre-occupied with my past, and the wrong-headed behaviors of others. Of course, it was not all bad, but there was a reoccurring theme that really needed to change. I asked forgiveness from God and made up my mind to do something about it.

I started by changing my routines. I carved out more time in the mornings before the day’s work began to seek a time of silence with God and listen. I began to train myself to listen more and speak less, or not at all when faced with someone who was acting ignorant. I reduced the amount of time I would spend at the local watering holes, and all but eliminated any alcohol at home. I replaced this with time on horseback or purposeful date days with my wife. I made time to read, stop and simply listen. As a result, I was able to return to a place of thankfulness, appreciation, and kindness. It is from this new foundation that I have been able to grasp and execute upon more intuitive approaches to leadership and business organizational constructs.

I still have my ups and downs, but they are predominantly up. God knows I still manage to behave stupidly, get off track, and need a good solid reminder now and then. My last shattered shoulder injury was a classic example. When this happens, I pick myself up, kick off the dust, thank God for the circumstances, ask for His direction, and start walking back to the path He set out for me. All by His Grace.

To all our clients and friends, please accept my very best wishes for a very Happy, Healthy, and Healing New Year.