An interesting way to think about relationships (and one that is not commonplace) is to think about relationships as a generative phenomenon. Left alone, uncared for, your relationship will cease to exist. We have all seen it, we have all experienced it, but have you ever thought of it from the perspective of generating it.
A neat distinction, and if you are really interested in having a relationship.. some very insightful knowing, and therefore action that you must do to sustain or build relationships if your desire is to have them.
We have seen relationships degenerate around us, and we have probably even contributed to their demise (not by doing, but by not doing or not generating) What do you see?
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
How come politics is only about self-interest
Politics is littered with Self-interest and virtually no leadership. I can only imagine that people that choose a career in politics begin with a desire to service the public, their community or their Country. What happens that diverts them from this noble goal, to one of party rhetoric and self-interest above all else.
I have yet to see a politician that can actually acknowledge that someone from another party actually had a good idea. Or is acting in a way that is in service of their constituents, or is aligned with their ideology. Why would that be so wrong? In Canada, we learn in high-school that political parties, have different ideologies. There are common problems for a Country, and the difference political parties hold different approaches to solving them. Why is this so bad? Why is it that politicians don't have the confidence (in themselves) to stand for their beliefs? To stand as leaders do, in the face of no agreement. Any act of leadership means you are standing in the face of no agreement (otherwise leadership wouldn't be required). So when it comes to politicians, they (all parties) seem more comfortable, telling you why their opponent (isn't doing something, is changing their own position, etc.. etc.. etc...). If they were real leaders they would have a position and share it, support it, and have the courage to talk about it.. and when different view are put forward, they should have the confidence to review, appreciate and understand other viewpoints.. and maybe.. they should have the confidence to include them.. cause maybe the ideas are good, and they just haven't thought about it in that way...
In organization, that is what leaders do.... so why are politicians so difference? and what does it serve.... self-interest, I guess...
I have yet to see a politician that can actually acknowledge that someone from another party actually had a good idea. Or is acting in a way that is in service of their constituents, or is aligned with their ideology. Why would that be so wrong? In Canada, we learn in high-school that political parties, have different ideologies. There are common problems for a Country, and the difference political parties hold different approaches to solving them. Why is this so bad? Why is it that politicians don't have the confidence (in themselves) to stand for their beliefs? To stand as leaders do, in the face of no agreement. Any act of leadership means you are standing in the face of no agreement (otherwise leadership wouldn't be required). So when it comes to politicians, they (all parties) seem more comfortable, telling you why their opponent (isn't doing something, is changing their own position, etc.. etc.. etc...). If they were real leaders they would have a position and share it, support it, and have the courage to talk about it.. and when different view are put forward, they should have the confidence to review, appreciate and understand other viewpoints.. and maybe.. they should have the confidence to include them.. cause maybe the ideas are good, and they just haven't thought about it in that way...
In organization, that is what leaders do.... so why are politicians so difference? and what does it serve.... self-interest, I guess...
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Human System Change
What does it take to change behaviour?
Some event (actually or perceived) is what is needed to change habitual behaviors. With a new year upon us, do you have a behaviour that you want to change?
If this behaviour doesn't change ... where will the road you are traveling take you? (call that the status quo).
What is the cost of the status quo? When the (metaphoric) cost of the status quo becomes to expensive, changing behaviour will be a snap. Look back into your own experience when you have changed a habitual behaviour... At what point did you decide that the cost of the status quo was too high??? What was the breakdown that occurred, prior to the behavioural change?? Answering these questions will provide you valuable knowledge if you want to change a habitual behaviour... Conduct an inquiry on yourself.. and the results may be illuminating for you......
Some event (actually or perceived) is what is needed to change habitual behaviors. With a new year upon us, do you have a behaviour that you want to change?
If this behaviour doesn't change ... where will the road you are traveling take you? (call that the status quo).
What is the cost of the status quo? When the (metaphoric) cost of the status quo becomes to expensive, changing behaviour will be a snap. Look back into your own experience when you have changed a habitual behaviour... At what point did you decide that the cost of the status quo was too high??? What was the breakdown that occurred, prior to the behavioural change?? Answering these questions will provide you valuable knowledge if you want to change a habitual behaviour... Conduct an inquiry on yourself.. and the results may be illuminating for you......
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
New Year's Resolutions and Leadership
It's that time of year.. the end.. where we thinking about our past and decide that we need to be doing something different in the coming year.
This has caused me to think about "new year's resolutions". What are they? Are they representations of our intentions? Are they a procrastinators worse nightmare or are they just a gentle motivator to start the ball of courage rolling when it comes to the call for leadership we might need in our life.
Whatever it is for you, it is a great opportunity to take action. And leadership is about taking action. Moving towards an intention that lives within you and that can manifest itself in the world only when you take action.
What is your intention for 2009? What new reality will you bring to the world (or your world) that without your decisive action it would never come to pass?
This has caused me to think about "new year's resolutions". What are they? Are they representations of our intentions? Are they a procrastinators worse nightmare or are they just a gentle motivator to start the ball of courage rolling when it comes to the call for leadership we might need in our life.
Whatever it is for you, it is a great opportunity to take action. And leadership is about taking action. Moving towards an intention that lives within you and that can manifest itself in the world only when you take action.
What is your intention for 2009? What new reality will you bring to the world (or your world) that without your decisive action it would never come to pass?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Call 4 Leadership during the holidays
Effective leadership comes from effective relationship. Effective relationships comes from understanding that; relationships are generative... ie. you need to work at them for relationships to grow, develop and be effective.
Reflecting back over the past year, have you had relationships that were enriched by your active participation in them? Maybe you haven't thought about relationships in this way, but if you take a moment, what do you think?
Have you had a relationship in the past year that has broken down in some way? Or maybe just has been as good as it might otherwise be? Could be an old friend you have loss contact with etc..
Wouldn't now be a good time to experience the effectiveness of "generating" relationship and see for yourself the results?
Holidays seem to be when people are willing to start new, grant trust, turn over a new leaf... So isn't is a good time to try? The only thing is takes is "YOU" to make the first move, "YOU" to take the first (and maybe second, and maybe third, and maybe forth....) step. Because relationships are generative, and leadership is about what "YOU" can do... So do it.. and benefit from the results....
Reflecting back over the past year, have you had relationships that were enriched by your active participation in them? Maybe you haven't thought about relationships in this way, but if you take a moment, what do you think?
Have you had a relationship in the past year that has broken down in some way? Or maybe just has been as good as it might otherwise be? Could be an old friend you have loss contact with etc..
Wouldn't now be a good time to experience the effectiveness of "generating" relationship and see for yourself the results?
Holidays seem to be when people are willing to start new, grant trust, turn over a new leaf... So isn't is a good time to try? The only thing is takes is "YOU" to make the first move, "YOU" to take the first (and maybe second, and maybe third, and maybe forth....) step. Because relationships are generative, and leadership is about what "YOU" can do... So do it.. and benefit from the results....
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Generative Relationships
Have you ever thought of relationships as being something that needs to be generated?
"Out of sight out of mind!" Why? Have you ever wondered why as relationships begin to breakdown, they do so at an accelerated rate when there is no communication? When there is no communication, it is not that the relationship is getting worse, it just isn't getting better.
But if you think of a relationship that is something that must be generated. Said another way, worked at for it to be sustained and grow. You will begin to see relationships in a different light. And one that will serve you, in your quest for leadership. Share your thoughts on the concept of generating relationships....
"Out of sight out of mind!" Why? Have you ever wondered why as relationships begin to breakdown, they do so at an accelerated rate when there is no communication? When there is no communication, it is not that the relationship is getting worse, it just isn't getting better.
But if you think of a relationship that is something that must be generated. Said another way, worked at for it to be sustained and grow. You will begin to see relationships in a different light. And one that will serve you, in your quest for leadership. Share your thoughts on the concept of generating relationships....
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Deflection instead of courage..
True leaders stand for .. what they believe.. it takes courage, sometimes a lot of courage. Why is it so many "so called" leaders choose to use deflections.. Eg. If he didn't ...x then I wouldn't have had to do ...y.
Personally I find this so disturbing.
As a leader, you need to be accountable for what you say and what you do. It needs to be backed by your convictions and consistent with your values.
In the current Canadian political environment few leaders are willing to do this.. The Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe.. Although I don't agree with his policies, I think he is the most authentic of all the politicians. And maybe we should call them that; politicians and NOT leaders.
Personally I find this so disturbing.
As a leader, you need to be accountable for what you say and what you do. It needs to be backed by your convictions and consistent with your values.
In the current Canadian political environment few leaders are willing to do this.. The Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe.. Although I don't agree with his policies, I think he is the most authentic of all the politicians. And maybe we should call them that; politicians and NOT leaders.
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