HENCE EVERYTHING HAS A REASON

Not so long ago I started on writing my third book entitled ‘The Art of Play’. Seven months into the project that had already reached a 2/3rds completion I sat contemplating its credible contribution. It became apparent that continuance would be time wasted. The fatal factor was the confirmed discovery that a significant amount of play involved lies. There was always the half truths and those things that were left unmentioned but in seems that in the last decade that the fashion has turned to fabrication. Almost anything can be intellectually justified either based on contribution or as an enabler for a better good. But the term that resonates most often in my head is ‘ill gotten gains’. In other words the results achieved are without vitueous achievement.

What has caused this tidal surge of untruths? Enablers permit people a channel for global exposure and human nature drives us to be recognized in a much large body of humanity. Simply expounding upon our humble traits seems to be a waste of time, to illustrate our value in the form of actional proof takes too long, so we justify a bit of persona elevation. Often this is achieved through a bit of written license and the underlying belief that no harm is being done since you are feeding the appetites of a hungry population. Glorification is seen in corporate titles, creative self-adorned virtue labels and authoritative discourse on the simplest of the obvious points of discussion.

As a seasoned human being (aka senior) my troubles start with taking decades of experiences, accomplishments and formal knowledge and compacting them in such a way to attract reading the final result. If I had my druthers it would simply say ‘human being’ and let the rest of the traits become a matter of opposing individual exploration and inquiry. One should not have to justify their value based on the measure used by others, but unfortunately this is what it is in the present day. What this creates is a path that leads to contention, acceptance, challenge, debate and both good and bad relationships. The term ‘relationship’ meaning a contact with, what it may become will depend on the character traits of the individual. This takes us back to the pervasive existence of lies as a tool for recognition but a blemish of creating formative relationships.

Looking back over the span of lie we have all lied for what seemed to be legitimate reasons. Self-protection, avoiding hurt of others, to respond to opportunities where lies can become truths, and so on. There are also lies that hurt, damage, exploit and manipulate others which cause irreparable damage to character and the erosion of trust. I remember establishing my first business I was acutely concerned about titles and positions. A balance had to be struck between drawing attention and the legitimate duty that I held. CEO, Chairman or Founder seemed dignified but was a bit of a contradiction when it was you that did the selling, the field work and the report writing. Despite being all of those I really wasn’t of the same caliber as those roles in much large companies and for that reason it was more appropriate to select the title of Principal. Later on and after several other startups and mergers with several dozen employees and associates the titles could be properly cast to the role that I played. This permitted rightful recognition while enjoying the respect gained when hands on engagement was carried out. 

During a recent debate I made the comedic reference to ‘age has it’s priviledges’ to which several people responded negatively to that comment. My first reaction was ‘lighten up’ but the more I thought about it they were expressing their experience with the abuse of position. You cannot command respect, you need to earn it. For this very reason the standards you uphold are imperative. All too often we allow the rightful priviledges we have as being justification for any and all things said, shared or actions carried out. With rights comes a sincere commitment to responsible behavior. I personal have a code of conduct that I use when entering into discussions of any type. For example,

• Respect at all times,
• Terminate any interchange when the code is violated,
• No name calling or use of profanities,
• Never give up on constructive dialogs,
• Do not degrade a persons opinion using a shameful example,
• Base discussions on fact or clarify when it is unsubstantiated or opinion,
• Enter all discussion with simply an interchange in understanding, not with the intent to convert or win,
• …

The Art of Play is based on constructive dialog, nothing more. Even the slightest injustice to the integrity of the dialog does irrepressible damage. In these times of uncertainty and cataclysmic chaos we need to regain an interest in thee and away from me.

Deception is not an art, it’s an illusion on par with slight of hand magic. It may compel you with a degree of entertainment, feeling abit accomplished and even convinced that this line of conduct is right for you. Rest assured a lie seldom can endure the test of time. Somewhere and somehow it will be revealed often when it’s the most critical to be forthright. The result becomes instantaneous, it’s reach may be limited or pervasive and the restoration of faith is unlikely. In humor, one would say lie old but not young because the past is the past but the future is short. But in seriousness if the past is honest pride why would one jeopardize this by untruths, even those with high reward potential?

Legitimacy of actions are not the result of pervasive conduct, nor are they the blueprint one can follow from by the misdeeds of others (who have or have not been caught). Our legacy and legitimacy comes from honesty, respectfulness and purposeful contributions. The character of the endeavor is impartial, unbiased, unwavering and given with hope and not expectations. It’s the unfortunate intervention of man that becomes filled with pretentious ambitions to make expectations a reality that starts us on the road to depravity.

Clarity Group Global is an intellectual decision validation institution dedicated to the support of leaders, companies and organizations that face challenging choices. Making right decisions that produce significant value equates to less disruption and chaos, "non-tradition made exceptional".