Do we give up?

Sometimes the very best intentions either go unnoticed, unappreciated, and either are dismissed, or ignored.

The most sincere efforts can be viewed with levels of skepticism and be considered as opportunistic, or deceptive with nefarious intentions.

There is a certain subject matter that nearly a year ago I was contacted about and my advice/council was sought after. Prior to that initial phone call, I wasn’t even aware of the pending situation.

I was advised by one side (a key actor, at the time of one of the two sides) that I should keep my nose out of the matter. Due to my current situation as an independent Consultant, my expertise, my experience, and my history in not only the industry, but as importantly, with the entity that I was once employed by for twenty (20) years, it appeared that my opinion mattered to many.

Perhaps my history, along with my knowledge and understanding of how this organization operates that was obtained during my twenty (20) year career was what was concerning to that “key player” that advised me to “keep my nose out of this matter.” Perhaps it was because that when one achieves the level of position that I held with this organization, became familiar with all the key players at the very top, some who have moved on to become very affluent in the political arena, of which I worked so closely with on numerous projects….and because I too had become all too familiar with the political players involved and have a great understanding of what their motivations are when they choose a side to take. Oftentimes without having all the facts, taking all of the necessary elements involved into consideration, in most part because they are so exceedingly motivated by their own political ambitions that they have truly forgotten about their constituents and/or the communities impacted by the very words and/or actions that they take.

Yes, in retrospect I can see why my perspective wasn’t wanted by one side. It’s the other side that I cannot quite figure out.

I have made those attempts and presented all the justification for such and without question, there are many who have listened and heeded my advice. Unfortunately it simply appears to have fallen on deaf ears with certain people who can, in the end, determine the actual outcome.

I know that I can lay down my head at night and go to sleep knowing that I tried my best to move things in the right direction.

That being said, for those that cannot, they either they have no conscience, no conviction’s about their decisions and how they can either have a positive or negative impact on peoples lives and communities and their very existence. These describe the people that are so far removed from where they came from, who they represent, who put them where they are, or have been handed their livelihoods and power on a platter and the rest are viewed as insignificant little chess pieces that “they” move about in a chess game.

I guess they have to see it happen to believe it.