DECISION TIME!
As Americans, we each will have important “leadership” decisions to make this November: Who are the best qualified persons is to lead this great Nation? As we reflect, muster and share thoughts and ideas, the worldview offers significant challenges for our leaders. Unfortunately, amidst the chaos and confusion of aroused emotions, passions and prejudices, it may be difficult to relax, focus and develop a personal perspective concerning the conscious evolution of this great Nation.
Great ideas emerge from Democrats; great ideas emerge from Republicans; great ideas emerge from Independents; and a reasoned, ethical decision will be to identify leaders who are physically healthy, emotionally balanced, mentally clear and spiritually awake; who are morally solid persons; and who have the background, experience, interests, talents and skills to consciously evolve this Nation for generations to come. Essential competencies for these challenging assignments are as follows:
LEADERSHIP: Leadership is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical changes that mirror their common purpose.
ETHICS: The art of being a good person and practicing goodness in everyday life; and it includes all ways of being truthful, authentic, caring and courageous that constitutes integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions and behavior. Ethical persons “walk the talk” and model the way—set a good example—as persons with solid ethics, values and principles; in relationships; and when skillfully helping others. Good leaders provide clarity about institutional values and beliefs and behave consistently with these values and beliefs.
STRATEGIC VISION: Establish a vision and direction for the worldview of the Nation and the globe.
MISSION-PURPOSE-RESULTS DRIVEN: Peace-of-mind with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion. Has a bias for action, for trying new things and for getting things done. Aggressively pursues objectives and sets high standards for self and others. Takes calculated risks and makes personal sacrifices in order to get things done.
FINANCIAL SAVY: Plans, communicates, monitors and controls, establishes risks, solves problems and makes sound decisions concerning economic and financial performance.
STAFFING and STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Attracts and selects talented people. Assesses the short and long-term needs of the institution and develops plans to improve the overall structure and talent and skills strength of the institution.
QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS and INFLUENCE: Develops, uses and sustains strong, cooperative relationships with persons. Uses effective listening and interpersonal skills to achieve mutual trust and respect. Accomplishes tasks and objectives by resolving conflicts and influencing the actions of others. Is seen as a change agent; and makes a difference when involved.
COMMUNICATIONS: Keeps persons informed and creates communication forums to give and receive information.
BUSINESS and POLITICAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective, is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe. Has “street smarts,” sizes-up situations quickly, is practical, knows the right things to do and when to do them.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a winning team. Builds commitment to common goals by communicating a sense of mission and by energizing the team. Creates an environment where differences are valued, where systems work equally well for all and wherein persons can retain their uniqueness and contribute at their full potential.
EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Acts appropriately in business, social and political situations. Displays control in complex, ambiguous or stressful situations. Identifies with persons, shares their values and beliefs and is comfortable with them. Works toward mutually carved-out, worldview goals.
HUMAN NEEDS SATISFACTION: Is “in-tune” with mental and emotional needs of others, cares about people and puts action plans in-place to create an environment to improve the quality of life and personal productivity that is beneficial for persons. Links recognition to accomplishment and shows appreciation and expresses pride in the team’s accomplishments.
HANDLING COMPLEXITY: Analyzes and solves complex problems. Deals effectively with large amounts of data, changing conditions, incomplete data or uncertainty. Understands how seemingly unrelated issues interact and affect one another. Gets to the essence of complex issues quickly, generates a variety of alternative courses of action and makes effective decisions.
IDEA LEADERSHIP: Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
VALUES and PRINCIPLES:
Values: trust and trusted; high integrity; direct; open; honest; caring; compassionate; morality; joy; hope.
Principles:
-Does not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do.
-Objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people being served.
-Committed to the concept of 100% responsibility: life happens because of me and not to me. Does not blame others.
-Learns from one’s own experiences in an intentional and self-directed manner and applies that learning to new challenges.
-Sets a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening, ethical behavior and integration of hidden reflections.
In conclusion, there is “more than enough of the American Dream to go around.” Leaders who are aware of, understand and are committed to conscious evolution of this remarkable country for generations to follow will model the way, be visible and emerge to inspire and influence ethical action.
Through teamwork, exemplary leadership, goodness and caring attention to detail, “we” will unleash all that we are and all that we can be. To facilitate decision making, pull out a sheet of paper, and using a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, create a profile of each candidate. You may have additional competencies for the list.