Frank Voehl (LO10853) comments on character in the past and present and
the dropping of the A-bomb.
Ben Compton (LO10856) replying to Sherri Malouf (LO10828) adds new
perspectives and insights to Stephen Covey's work. Thanks Ben.
Sherri Malouf (LO10857) replying to LO10824 comments, in a delightfully
understated way, the effect that change has had on her journey through
life.
At de Lange (LO10858) comments on Don Kerr's spiritual revelation
(LO10831).
Bill Harris (LO10854) replying to At de Lange's LO10815 makes some
interesting observations on language and mental switches. (Expect to see a
post from Mike McMaster on this).
What is fascinating about this, is the spiritual dimension to these posts.
Also, a good friend of mine who is a priest, once noted how people started
using his language when they talked about vision, mission, etc.
Perhaps, then, I can break the rules on good dinner party etiquette?
Stephen Covey noted in, The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People, that
all the American literature published on success from 1776 until shortly
after World War 1 - a period of some 150 years - focused on what he called
the character ethic This ethic focused on things like: integrity,
humility, fidelity, temperance, courage, justice, patience, industry,
simplicity, modesty and the Golden Rule (do unto others as you would have
them do unto you). Some of you may recognise this as an extended list of
the Seven Principal Virtues). After World War 1 this basic view of success
changed to what he called the personality ethic in which success became
more a function of human and public relations, and a positive mental
attitude.
The Prophet Mohammed stated that: "None among you is a true believer
unless he loves for others what he loves for himself."
Confucius said that: "A man of humanity is one who, in seeking to
establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring
attainment for himself, helps others to attain."
(This has interesting parallels with Nichemanship in complex adaptive systems.)
Buddhists believe that life is everlasting suffering until people use
their gifts to help others.
(I'm sure Hindus have similar beliefs, but it is an area that I'm least
sure about. Guidance would be most welcome).
After the dropping of the A-bomb Takashi Nagai, the holy man of Nagasaki,
suggested that: "Was not Nagasaki the chosen victim, the lamb without
blemish, slain as a whole-burnt offering on an altar of sacrifice, atoning
for the sins of all the nations during World War II?"
(Nagai's journey started with Shintoism, passed through atheism and ended in
Christianity).
In Thoughts In Solitude, Thomas Merton offers us the following prayer.
===Quote
My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going. I do not see the road ahead
of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know
myself, and the fact that I think I am following your will does not mean
that I am actually doing so.
But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you. And
I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will
never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this
you will lead me by the right road though I know nothing about it.
Therefore will I trust you always though I may seem to be lost and in the
shadow of death. I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and will
never leave me to face my perils alone.
===End quote
In one interpretation of The Principle of Subsidiarity, the Roman Catholic
Church notes that: "It is an injustice, a grave evil and a disturbance of
right order for a larger and higher organisation to arrogate to itself
functions which can be performed efficiently by smaller and lower bodies
......"
When I sent my original post on the "Virtuous Growth Cycle" to the LO it
was entitled "A Few Thoughts". It was Rick who called it "Virtuous Growth
Cycle". In actual fact, it was a synopsis of a longer paper called "Who
Killed The Company?".
The ultimate conclusion in this paper is that a lack of leadership kills
companies. However, leaders, are great humanitarians who will make
ruthless decisions when the integrity of what they believe in, and what
they believe to be possible in the greater good, is challenged. They, and
they alone, have visions which inspire their followers - and leave behind
in them the conviction and will to carry on. They have the ability to make
people feel good about themselves.
Some of the characteristics of leadership are vision, sincerity, devotion
to the cause, personal mastery, decisiveness, humanity and boldness. These
seem to be characteristics that we can all possess and develop. This then
takes us into the self-leadership dialogue. Don't you just love these
circles (or even networks) of causality?
I cannot but help feel that the world would be a much better place if
everbody were just a little kinder to each other. But, perhaps I'm naive.
My thanks to everybody for the insights they offer on life on a daily
basis. Particular thanks to Mike McMaster for showing me, inadvertantly,
part of what I want to do on the rest of my journey.
Julian
Julian Macnamara
Glandore Associates
100317,2417@compuserve.com
<http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/glandore>
--Julian Macnamara <100317.2417@CompuServe.COM>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>