WE ARE WINNERS

Posted on March 30, 2025

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. (National Archives Transcription, 3-29-25)

Folks, President Trump, staff, allies and associates, and Elon Musk and staff are on a mission to close with and destroy the Democratic Republic of the United States of America. The strategic objective is to have POSITION POWER, simply autocracy. This is being accomplished by destroying, undermining, creating chaos and confusion, eliminating, and downsizing 250 years of United States Democratic Republic history of the Constitution with amendments, established systems, policies and procedures, processes, institutions, government entities-Senate, House, Supreme Court, Office of the President, regulations, defense-military, leaders and leadership, and earned power. Currently the only defense against the onslaught is to secure the pillars of the Country that cannot be moved or disheveled. Americans are the first line of defense!

Our mission is quite clear: We the people need to save America’s democracy by launching the strategic “battle for the soul of the nation.” This battle will begin to heal the deconstruction of the current administration and will inspire the dance of discovering, unfolding, and manifesting America’s uniqueness through a profound journey into the unknown. This trek demands trust, hope, faith, and awakening to radical freedom and to deep dimensions of embodied individuality, the unmanifest soul qualities of America’s natural world, heart, mind, and spirit. And this waltz into the unknown will be demanding, will not be easy, and will have challenges and opportunities. We may choose to resist it and miss a few steps; however, we will do the hard work. Imperative for this undertaking are strong leaders with exemplary leadership qualities who possess an impervious foundation of character, personality, mentality, and integral ethics that display peace-of-mind coupled with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion; published and walked virtues, core values, a code of ethics, guiding principles, and a track record of successes; a profound perspective and vision; an innate talent to accurately assess current reality; and an ability to build bipartisan coalitions who plan and strategize to evolve America’s soul qualities.

Let us peacefully compare notes, have deep dialogue, and demonstrate, do the homework, and select political leaders who listen, inspire hope, have faith, are compassionate and empathetic, and who will know where the country is and what it needs; who will be surrounded by exceptionally well-qualified associates; who will diligently work to create compelling worldview visions, strategies, goals, and objectives for the country; and who will lead the development of policies and programs to evolve this country for all Americans. Essential ingredients are leadership and management of voting integrity; an economy for working, middle-class families that is teeming with jobs, union solidarity, small businesses, and essential childcare; a globally envied education system; racial and social justice, diversity and anti-racism policy and programs; and global climate change leadership. Strategies will include affordable healthcare and viable public health outreach coupled with decreased drug prices, a leading-edge military and space force, visits to military deployment areas, veteran and veteran family benefits and outreach, national security and foreign policy with inspired allies, an infrastructure re-building program, and a visionary leader as Commander-in-Chief. Sensible gun laws, immigration reform and sanity, and programs for the advancement and placement of women will prevail.

Let us end the “dark.” America has had enough of a low functioning conspiracist and sociopath who is racist and who is protected by political party sorted, partisan, power worldview associates of the Federal government institution he and his cronies have chosen to deconstruct and destroy. The list of negatives far outweighs the positives: lies, cheats at golf, denies, convicted felon, blames, and spins; egotistical and self-serving; unqualified for the position and has not grown into the job because he cannot; enlisted foreign interference in elections; several obstruction of justice charges; numerous lawsuits; behaves as a gangster and as if above the law; two impeachment proceedings; accepts payoffs for positions; and numerous Trump party cronies who are lost souls in search of a tribe. As Bernie Sanders has eloquently noted, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs.”

We the people will see the “light,” vote, and select leaders who will right the ship, turn it around, and get America steaming into a future which sparkles and evolves the country to the leading edge of civilization. The “battle for the soul of the nation” inspires today and will inspire for generations to come, all folks interacting in an immense, unified community singing with unique voices as one choir. This is simply removing obstacles, growing up, waking up, showing up, digging deep, and uncovering talents and skills that were always there and just being discovered. It will be hard work! Just like learning to play the piano at 85 years old and playing “Impossible Dream” from memory for the first time. Give Americans light and they will see and conquer! We are the People…

NUI LAC SON

Posted on March 22, 2025

As a proud member of West Point’s Long Gray Line, class of 1962; eight years of military service, including two years of combat during the Vietnam War; well trained—Airborne School, Ranger School, 4.2 Mortar School, Davy Crockett Nuclear Weapons School, Jumpmaster School, Infantry Officer Orientation and Advanced Courses—; and well decorated—Combat Infantry Badge, three Bronze Stars, two Air Medals, three Vietnamese Gallantry Crosses, Vietnamese Staff Medal of Honor, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Ribbon with three stars, and Vietnam Service Medal with device—a dream two nights ago about a night on Nui Lac Son has rallied mind chatter and raised questions about President Trump and Elon Musk chaos, confusion, and destruction of America’s four pillars of democratic strength…Office of the President, Supreme Court, House, and Senate.

Sidelight information. Nui Lac Son is a mountain west of Danang, Vietnam and in 1965 was sitting astride the Ho Chi Minh Trail. As an Assistant Battalion Advisor to an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) infantry battalion, our unit had been ordered to proceed from a fire support base at Que Son to Nui Lac Son because of recent southern movement along the Ho Chi Minh Trail of North Vietnamese Army (NVA) units. The intelligence was correct! On the first night of our arrival on Nui Lac Son the battalion was attacked by a North Vietnamese Army unit from the northeast by a diversionary attack and the south by a main attack. The battle raged all night…the dream…

The dream found the author with an M-2, folding stock carbine moving from 1) lying on the left side of an ARVN machine gunner deployed to defend against the northeast diversionary attack; 2) at the command post (CP) between two rocks on the radio directing ARVN artillery to the NVA attack on the south; and 3) to the east side of the mountain the morning after the NVA fled. A dead NVA soldier was lying adjacent to the CP, a wounded, wailing NVA soldier was on the mountainside—he was immediately shot—and on this overcast, 1965 Christmas, an L-19 pilot dropped from his aircraft a big, well stuffed box that had a fifth of whisky. During the day we tended to the wounded, and as the fog cleared, we loaded the dead and wounded on helicopters for evacuation. Noted as we left the mountain the next day were several graves for NVA soldiers killed during the Nui Lac Son battle along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

And the mind chatter rambles…Commander-in-Chief of the military service a convicted felon with no military service, Veterans Administration losing staff, Defense Department losing staff, Secretary of Defense unqualified, House and Senate are paralyzed, the Federal Court system is being attacked and overwhelmed, and the mind wonders to the President’s profile…

The Trump brand is internationally recognized; and Commander in Cheat offers that Trump cheats at golf on his golf courses, revealing the true person: he is not able to hide on the golf course.
Life’s goal has been to gain and maintain position power, at any cost. The track record includes personal business endeavors with several bankruptcies, a multitude of government failures, convicted felon, and two impeachment hearings with factual evidence and party sorted acquittal.
A partial list of shortcomings while President is as follows: incited insurrection of United States Capital; puppet of Vladimir Putin; foreign policy bullying, badgering, and destroying; abandoned allies; withdrew from Paris Climate Accord, World Health Organization and Iran Nuclear Agreement; North Korean nuclear weapons stockpile has doubled; pandemic management and leadership was non-existent and passed the buck to governors who became blame targets; enlisted Russian and Chinese interference in elections; several obstruction of justice charges were noted in the Mueller Report; numerous lawsuits have been filed against him and unfolding lawsuits will be filed against him; accepted payoffs for positions; not able to lead projects large in scope; immigration policy was inhumane; tax cuts were a corporate “boondoggle;” and undermined integrity of voting system.
Is a master at using neuroses—the dark side of the psyche: denied, repressed, disowned and projected subconscious aspects of the Self— to create stories— “fake news”—that strategically move the “lightning rod” from his Trump Party to others to trigger the psyche of perceived “enemies” and his base. Others simply become the personification of wrongs: Russian cyberwarfare, Ukraine quid pro quo, racism, nativism, Supreme Court justices, Democrats, et al. As Bernie Sanders has eloquently noted, “Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Trump golfs.”
Staff selection of addicted surrogates has been a disaster and revolving door. The government needs to be efficient and live within its means; however, Elon Musk is not a good fit for DOGE. The government is a service business and should not be managed like a manufacturing business. President Trump’s folks are being directed to dismantle systems and processes that have taken 250 years to create. Safety and security of Americans is in serious jeopardy.
Poor interpersonal relations skills.
Surrounded by fixers and “yes men;” and encourages rivalries and thrives on personal attacks.
Accepting 100% responsibility, apologizing, admitting a mistake, and helping others are not his cup of tea. Just take him Diet Coke and wash his dirty laundry.
No vision for the country. Intent is more of the same and fixing what he has undermined, agitated, deconstructed, or destroyed. Examples: intelligence, FBI, CIA, U.S. Postal Service, voting integrity, and Centers for Disease Control.
Repeatedly disparaged the intelligence of service members: Americans who die in war are “losers” and “suckers.” Twenty two of my West Point classmates were KIA in Vietnam…they certainly are not losers and suckers…simply proud members of the Long Gray Line.
Legacy may be selection of judges, environmental deregulations, and deconstruction of institutions.
Track record of complicating the story narrative, throwing sand in the eyes of the onlooker, claiming that transparently implausible stories were true unless proven otherwise, and denying the obvious truth.
Does not understand duty, honor, and country.
A cheat, a liar, a fraud, a bully, a predator, a con man; and a stale, nasty breath of death, hate, narcissism, chaos, fear, conspiracy, norm erosion, “dark,” institutional deconstruction, and neo fascism.
Incendiary, toxic, casts hate, disruptive, name caller, and divisive, and unfit for political office.
Deny, deny, deny; blame, blame, blame; accuse, accuse, and accuse; denies, blames, and spins; egotistical and self-serving.
Stokes fear, celebrity, and brand building; and publicity, show, and photo opportunity nurture his ego.
Demands loyalty even if unethical: yes sir, no sir, no excuse sir; or you are fired.
Conspiracist—example QAnon—and guilty of political cowardice, blaming, passing the buck, and dereliction of duty.
Shirks constitutionally mandated duty and rewards misconduct.
Sexist and multiple lawsuits and misconduct behaviors…34 counts of felony.
Racist, i.e., shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another.
In his eyes the members of the LGBTQ community are inferior.
Dishonest, arrogant, and narcissist; uses position and financial power for personal gain.
Creates martyr complex, irrelevance, and distractions; misleads, boasts, promotes blamelessness of self, never wrong, and anxious to criticize.
Low-functioning: includes persons who “… do not exhibit polished and polite behaviors as a mask for their manipulations…may lack the education or interpersonal skills to control and deceive. Instead, they might use threats, coercion, or intimidation to achieve their desired outcome.” (Source: Dr. Timothy J. Legg, “What Is a High-Functioning Sociopath?”, 5-28-2019, https://www.healthline.com, 1-3.)
Narcissistic sociopath: one form of antisocial personality disorder and is the result of environmental factors such as a child or teen’s upbringing in a negative household that resulted in physical abuse, emotional abuse, or childhood trauma. (Sources: Mary L. Trump, Too Much and Never Enough, 2020, Simon & Schuster; https://psychcentral.com, Dr. John M. Grohol, “Differences Between a Psychopath vs Sociopath,” 5-20-2020, 1-5; Dr. Tarra Bates-Duford, “Psychopath vs Sociopath: 16 Key Differences,” 9-7-2018, 1-3; https://www.health.com, Rosie McCall, “9 Ways to Spot a Sociopath,” 10-4-2019, 1-7.)
Donald J. Trump is a genius at attacking, spinning, deflecting, networking, and using the media to recruit, retain, and fire, at will, addicted surrogates, circles of friends, admirers, celebrity hangers-on, and wannabes who savor and long for safety and security sought by bonding together and identifying with a tribe to persevere and protect against outsiders. Allegiance and admiration are given to the chief and clan. Mystical signs, conspiracy, and desires of powerful spirit beings must be followed for the continued safety and well-being of the tribe.

Partisan politics is a dangerous duel of limited and partial truths; and binds party sorted folks to fixed, literal or otherwise limiting beliefs and frames of minds. Political party-sorted, addicted surrogates make obvious excuses for candidates and excuse the inexcusable with respect to morality, judgment, intent, behavior, actions, ethics, and laws. W. Edwards Deming remarked, “If a person is not performing as expected, it is probably because they are miscast for the job.” Michael Cohen offers, “No one ever tells Trump the truth about his behavior and beliefs, or the consequences of his conduct and ignorance and arrogance, in business or in his personal life and now in politics. Trump is the boy in the bubble, impervious to the thoughts and feelings or others, entirely and utterly focused on his own desires and ambitions.”

Really! Quite a list. Donald J. Trump is an impetuous billionaire who stalks women, boasts of grabbing women by the genitals, mocks the disabled, encourages violence against the press and those who disagree with him, a reality television star prone to insulting anyone unlike himself, including LGBTQ Americans, and a power-hungry gangster who is unfit and transparently unqualified to lead the GOP and the country. America needs a leader who will lead the country, improve the country, and set the stage for future generations, not one who will continue to divide the country, to sow more division in the country, and to deconstruct the many institutions that are the foundation and pillars of the America Americans desire.

LEADERSHIP 101

Posted on March 15, 2025

How fit are leaders?

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. Unfortunately, amidst chaos created by aroused emotions and divisiveness, it is difficult to “simply notice” essential leadership competencies as follows:

ETHICAL: Is a good person and practices goodness in everyday life.

STRATEGIC VISION: Establishes and communicates vision and strategies.

MISSION DRIVEN: Has peace-of-mind with purpose and connections built on a foundation of compassion.

FINANCIAL SAVY: Makes sound economic and financial decisions.

STAFFING: Attracts, selects and develops talented people.

QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS: Develops and sustains cooperative relationships.

COMMUNICATIONS: Keeps persons informed and creates forums to give and receive information.

BUSINESS and POLITICAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective and is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe.

TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a winning team and by creating an environment where differences are valued and in which persons retain uniqueness and contribute full potential.

EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Has a stable temperament and acts appropriately in business, social and political situations.

HUMAN NEEDS SATISFACTION: Is “in-tune” with mental and emotional needs of others.

IDEA LEADERSHIP: Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.

VALUES: Unconditional trust, integrity, honesty and morality.

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; and sets a good example for physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, spiritual awakening 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 country will model the way as a person, in relationships, and when helping, caring about and serving others. “Simply notice” that absent integrally fit leaders, chaos and divisiveness will continue and our Nation will fall well-short of our potential. In our own way, let’s each make a difference in the fitness of our Nation’s leadership. Some folks make things happen, some folks watch what happens, and others wonder what happened.

THREE RING CIRCUS

Posted on March 8, 2025

The United States government needs leaders and leadership, not rehearsed performers in a three-ring circus. Witnessing Trump’s 3-4-25 address to the House, Senate, and Supreme Court was: 1) a display of Democrats disrupting, sitting, and displaying signs; 2) Republicans standing and applauding on cue; and 3) President Trump reading a scripted, 99 minute ramble of lies, hatred, attacks, and mud-slinging; Vice President Vance with his roving eyes and frown; and Speaker Mike Johnson with a SEG, a gavel, and a movable microphone. I was embarrassed for the performers and the country. America needs leaders and leadership, not circus facilitators, conductors, and performers. We need leaders and leadership!!

LEADERSHIP is an attribute of an individual’s brand; and is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders, and followers who intend ethical and moral change that mirror common purpose. Some key qualities are as follows:

INTEGRAL ETHICS: Integral connotes comprehensive, whole, balanced and “best of the best” and ethics is sincere private commitment to doing what it takes to grow into a life of full integrity: “walk the talk” in every area of life and “model the way” as individuals; in relationships; and when skillfully helping, serving, and supporting others. It is an opportunity for happiness and freedom and embraces 100% ethical responsibility for cultivation of care, compassion, and awareness in the world and the globe: the range and depth of ethical choices that includes conscience, intra-psychic ethics—health, wellness and wellbeing, behavior, cultural relationships and systems and the environment. Ethics includes the full spectrum of morals, values and principles and is the art of being a good person and practicing goodness in everyday life. It includes all the ways of being truthful, intelligent, authentic, and courageous that constitutes integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions and behavior. The fruit of everyday ethics is humility and deep self-respect, a meaningful and lasting integrity that frees the person from living in denial, self-division, and self-contempt. Good leaders provide clarity about institutional ethics, morals, values, and guiding principles and behave consistently with these organizational beliefs. Ethics can also be the common values of a specific group.
MORALS: Judgments made by an individual and concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness and badness of human character.
VALUES: Goals that determine what a person pays attention to and how the person shows up. Examples: direct; open; caring; moral; health, wellness, and wellbeing; financial viability; leadership; and peace-of-mind.
VIRTUES: Qualities lived daily. Examples: gratitude, trust, hope, compassion, courage, honesty, integrity, prudence.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Core values that are articulated. Examples: Do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people and organization 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, denied, and repressed reflections manifested in the world. I am a student of life. I am silent self alone. I do everything with love. No matter what I am experiencing, it is arising in the awareness I am-the Universal Self.
PURPOSE: Reason for existence. Examples: Exemplary student of life. In the service of global health, wellness, and wellbeing, to embody, celebrate and study the ever-greater depth of awareness, humanity, and life.
FOLLOWERSHIP: The actions of someone in a subordinate role. The intentional practice on the part of the subordinate to enhance the synergistic interchange between the follower and the leader. Team play.
INTEGRAL VISION: Comprehensive, compelling picture of a desired future state. Leaders create and communicate a world centric vision, strategies and direction for the organization and persons led. Articulate a worldview for the Nation and the globe and possesses an integral understanding that allows the leader to be aware and understand other persons thus opening greater mutual understanding and openness to innovative, harmonious resolution; and more intelligent and appropriate responses to conflicts faced.
MISSION 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 to get things done.
EXECUTIVE MATURITY: Acts appropriately in business, social and political situations. Displays control in complex, ambiguous or stressful situations. Identifies with people, 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.
INTEGRAL THEORY and PRACTICE: Student of integral theory and integral life practice—physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening—that includes a pluralistic and multicultural composite map of the human territory and ways to include all the important dimensions of being to enable growth, awakening and development to fullest capacities. Integral theory does not dictate how to practice or how to live. It offers new perspectives on practice and life, new possibilities, and new horizons; and it opens minds, thus hearts, to a more inclusive and compassionate embrace of the Cosmos and all its inhabitants. Leaders who push the edges of their discipline do so by taking perspectives with more depth and more span than most others.
INTEGRAL COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY and ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MASTER: Integral communications translates the way an individual speaks to others’ perspectives while still being an authentic self. Simply keeps people informed and creates communication forums and diverse coalitions to give and receive information and ethically manage perceptions. The spectrum of communication expertise: intrapersonal, interpersonal, person-to-persons, mass media, social media and associated technologies that optimize communication needs and strategies.

Artificial Intelligence: The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence-visual perception, speech recognition, decision making and translation between languages.

QUALITY RELATIONSHIPS and INFLUENCE: Develops, uses, and sustains strong, cooperative relationships with people. 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.
STAFFING and STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Attracts and selects people with innate talents and learned skills. 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.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a unified, 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 people can retain uniqueness and contribute to their full potential.
BUSINESS and FINANCIAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective and is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe. Has “street smarts,” sizes-up situations quickly, is practical, and knows the right things to do and when to do them. Plans, communicates, monitors, and controls, establishes risks, solves problems, and makes sound decisions concerning economic and financial performance.
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: Open to input, change and new ideas. Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
INTEGRAL POLITICS: is aware and understands the inadequacies of political parties because of limited and partial views that do not address the complex issues facing the world today.

Americans do not need and/or want a three ring Ringling Brothers and Barnum Baily Circus orchestrated by power hungry Donald J. Trump and his cronies. Americans want government leaders and leadership with the vision to have a United States of America for and by Americans with liberty and justice for all. Individuals matter, leaders matter and leadership matters. If democracy is to prevail, we must select good leaders and hold them accountable for high quality leadership!! The evolution imperative of wholeness and inspired, growing awareness of the human condition, coupled with helping others, can change the daily headlines from an underlying sense of fear, chaos, and domination to love and freedom. Leaders can be grown who create a vibrant civil society where people continue to be free, to live as they choose, to speak their minds, to organize peacefully, and to have a say in how they are governed. America needs team builders not cult dictators who are power hungry, narcissistic, self-serving, not objective, and who do not make decisions in the best interests of the United States of America.

UKRAINE WAR

Posted on March 2, 2025

The Ukraine War needs to end!

February 28, 2025, will be a day for history books and a day of global embarrassment for America. Sitting in the Oval Office to discuss an agreement to end the Ukraine War were President Volodymr Zelesky of Ukraine, President Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance and oodles of others, including reporters. The behavior of President Trump and Vice President Vance reminded this Vietnam War combat veteran of two kids on a playground scrapping with a third playmate about who should be on the teeter totter. Berating, chastising, verbally casting stones, and testing President Zelesky’s self-restraint were quite evident. I was embarrassed for America and compassion and empathy were stirred for President Zelensky and the people of Ukraine who simply want peace and for President Vladimir Putin to have his troops withdraw from Ukraine and go home.

Love is a process, evolves in stages, and is a language one can think, feel, and speak; and because of love, we have hope and build trust! And it is no secret that we humans have evolved, yet have growing up and more learning, perking, experiencing, and evolving to do. Position power, money, and unhealthy ego certainly do not offer nourishment for common good, compassion, values, virtue, helping others, serving others, loving others, and caring about others. The Ukraine War is simply unnecessary death and suffering caused by lack of sane wisdom and a thirst for front page publicity and storybook fame. President Vladimir Putin’s decisions border insanity and ridiculous. Thich Nhat Hanh[1], a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, who passed away in 2022, offers guidance and counsel:

In the case of a society, take the situation of a country suffering war or any other situation of injustice. Try to see that every person involved in the conflict is a victim. See that no person, including all those in warring parties or in what appear to be opposing sides, desires the suffering to continue. See that it is only one or a few persons who are to blame for the situation. See that the situation is possible because of the clinging to ideologies and to an unjust world economic system which is upheld by every person through ignorance or lack of resolve to change it. See that two sides in a conflict are not really opposing, but two aspects of the same reality. See that the most essential thing is life and that killing or oppressing one another will not solve anything.

The Ukraine War is simply the creation of fear, suffering, and death to maintain perceived power and legitimacy, to establish a “perceived empire,” and to pursue a dream “— greatness of the “new” Soviet empire —” that can never exist. Concerning Thich Nhat Hanh’s advice and counsel, Martin Luther King, Jr., offered, “Thich Nhat Hanh’s ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument to ecumenism, to world brotherhood, to humanity.”

A personal sentiment for a strategic objective is to have a democracy that is measured, evaluated, and incented based on achievement of common good. This is an overwhelming task when one climbs into an Elon Musk SpaceX satellite and looks around. There are millions of global citizens with inner consciousness, psychology, purposes, values, goals, objectives, physics, biology, and neurology. There are myriads of families, collectives, cultures, groups, and communities with music, art, political values, and connections. And there are multitudes of institutions, social systems, economies, and environments. In today’s diverse, politically sorted world, integration is certainly not an easy task! Where does one start to create processes that are measured, evaluated, and incented based on contributions to the common good? Reminds of a jig saw puzzle. Perhaps a nice place to start is with a definition of common good.

“In philosophy, economics, and political science, the common good refers to either what is shared and beneficial for all or most members of a given community, or alternatively, what is achieved by citizenship, collective action, and active participation in the realm of politics and public service.” (Wikipedia)

Today, it feels like human chaos rules; and he-she who creates the greatest chaos rules and becomes today’s distraction from what needs to be done. President Putin, President Trump, and Vice President Vance, and cronies, will continue to have the same assortment of candies and perks while Ukrainian citizens suffer, Russian citizens suffer, and global citizens suffer. The Ukraine War is wrong! Absent mindfulness, awareness, and self-restraint, people, events, and places are simply distractions that mask the need for action to hasten the journey to common good. Nice reads are The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins, Jay Shetty’s Think Like a Monk and Eight Rules of Love, Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Miracle of Mindfulness, Lotus in a Sea of Fire and Creating True Peace: Ending Violence in Yourself, Your Family, Your Community, and the World. Authentic joy can evolve with peace-of-mind and connections and purpose created on a foundation of compassion, gratitude, trust and hope, certainly not war. Martin Luther King III offers, “My father believed that non-violence was not passive but the most courageous form of action-choosing peace when hatred tries to provoke. By refusing to react with bitterness, we reclaim our power and shape a better future.” (The Let Them Theory, Mel Robbins, 39)

[1] Thich Nhat Hanh was a peace activist, prolific author, poet, and founder of the Plum Village Tradition, the foundation of Engaged Buddhism. Known as the “father of mindfulness,” Nhat Hanh was a major influence on Western practices of Buddhism. (Wikipedia) A portion of his ashes have been ceremoniously scattered in Plum Village, France.

COMMON GOOD AND CARING

Posted on February 22, 2025

Today’s media platforms reveal that America’s three-legged democracy stool is missing its third leg. Economics and politics are alive; and the missing third leg, morality, rears its head daily. In the rear-view mirror are values, virtues, ethics, compassion, leadership, character, decency, common good, honesty, integrity, and common beliefs. Witness suppression of voting rights, helping others turned political, media untruths, cyber and space warfare, infrastructure decay, inequitable wages, healthcare and childcare shortcomings, systemic racism and casts, LGBTQ+ rights questioned, abortion rights removed, Congressional hearings about insurrection, environmental degradation, untreated mental health, home grown terrorism, immigration overload and inhumanity, DOGE rampage, thriving white supremacy, education state-of-the-art and funding deficiencies, insane gun control, deterioration of government credibility—SCOTUS, Congress, and Office of the President—and the list continues. The danger is continued and deepening division, fear, autocracy, privatization, and fascism. The opportunity is to improve common good, helping others, caring about others, and loving others; and merge and participate in interactive dialogue and collectively manifest the missing third leg of the stool, morality, or common good and caring, for America, Americans, and the globe. As Jonathan Sacks offers in Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times,

Recovering liberal democratic freedom will involve emphasizing responsibilities as well as rights; shared rules, not just individual choices; caring for others as well as for ourselves; and making space not just for self-interest but also for common good. Morality is an essential feature of our human environment, as important as the market (economics) and the state (politics), but outsourceable to neither. Morality humanizes the competition for wealth and power. It is the redemption of our solitude. (20)

Authoritarianism has gotten us where we are; and unless we do something different, we will stay where we are and eventually destroy ourselves. In The Passionate Mind Revisited Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad offer, “Authoritarianism has two basic traits: a person or ideology that claims to know what’s best for others; and second, the authority is unchallengeable-not open to feedback and change when shown to be wrong.” (15) If the old, traditionalist worldview wins there is little likelihood the species will survive.

Yes, it feels like the country is a mess and that post truth, and consequently mistrust, is bubbling with conspiracy, spins, lies, partial truths, and more lies! Simply unhealthy ego, circus, work-in-process human condition and shortcomings that are offering platforms for tomorrow’s challenges, opportunities, and evolution. An analytical glance reveals a least common denominator to be polarization, nurtured by festering, unhealthy selves that unleash pain and suffering in many forms.

Digging deep into the dark side of the psyche, contemplation coupled with meditation, and collective, interactive dialogue offer a breath of evolutionary optimism and hope for Americans. Subsequent results can offer productive, interactive, authentic dialogue to build coalitions; teamwork; creation of evolutionary beliefs and values; nurturing and building visions for generations of children; and experiences of compassion as the antibiotic to confront a nasty infection. No one needs to suffer, and no one wants to suffer. We need to transcend and include and not undermine the human desire to evolve and survive.

Joel Kramer and Diana Alstad offer,

Humanity has displayed great creativity in most domains, except for relationships. Most of our problems are a function of unworkable relationships between people, groups, religions, regions, and countries, and humanity’s relation with the Earth. Because killing, or the threat of it, is and has been the bottom line of power, and has given the nature of power and wealth to coalesce and expand, and given that children need lengthy nurturing, humanity has not yet constructed a social system that can sufficiently promote the general wellbeing of large populations…We need an evolutionary leap in relationships to match our extraordinary recent leaps in science and technology and the resulting juggernaut taking us we know not where. Developing our relational and social capabilities must include the global dimension by replacing traditional unlivable, authoritarian ideals with more viable pan-cultural values that can flexibly meet accelerated change. We must learn how to be global social animals at last, through deepening, exploring, and building on the untapped potential in our nature, broadening our awareness, and emotionally maturing-all of which are possible if we care enough about surviving. (357)

Simply, we all need to grow our individual and collective mindfulness, awareness, and self-restraint and put “care” into all we think, say, and do. As good leaders understand and practice, transcending, including, and evolving implies a willingness to listen to and accept those who are different and have belief processes that are different.

GOLF AS GURU

Posted on February 15, 2025

Golf, entertainment, fun and creative, these are just a few of the words that capture the spirit and story of Woody and Birdy Ball, the caretakers of readers who take the opportunity to experience the journey of Golf as Guru: Mind”full”ness, Awareness and Self-Restraint.

Our culture today has become battles for our ATTENTION through media frenzies, predominantly inspired by television and social media. As the manuscript for Golf as Guru was being completed and a publisher being selected, the inspiration arose to have the book be entertaining for a reader. Thus were born the spirits of Woody and Birdy Ball, the two golf ball characters to be discovered on the cover and at the beginning of each chapter as one enjoys the journey through the book.

Woody and Birdy were born around a table at a Mesa, Arizona Starbucks. Project participants were my dear wife, Cindy; Aubree Garrett, Graphic Designer and Illustrator (aubreeshae.com); and the author. After business and creative vision dialogue, Cindy and I turned Aubree loose to create Woody and Birdy. Initially, since she was not a golfer, it was challenging for her to create golf ball characters who were dressed like golfers and in golfing motion; however, once we gave birth to Woody Ball and Birdy Ball, Aubree was off to the races while at the same time maintaining a full class schedule and working. Weekly, as each illustration arrived, Cindy and I would grab the computer and excitedly view each illustration, fist pump, celebrate and be entertained. It was a fun project; and our hope is that you will enjoy the journey of Woody and Birdy Ball as much as we have. You will quickly note that on the cover of Golf as Guru are Woody and Birdy riding their magic carpet to The World Golf Hall of Fame, St. Augustine, Florida. Enjoy!!

EMPATHY and COMPASSION

Posted on February 7, 2025

USA TODAY, page 1, Thursday, February 6, 2025, reports,

In a news conference about the worst air crash in the United States in two decades, Trump claimed the agency (Federal Aviation Administration) was “actively recruiting workers who suffer severe intellectual disabilities and psychiatric problems and other mental and physical conditions under diversity and inclusion hiring initiatives.”

USA TODAY, page 3A, Thursday, February 6, 2025, reports,

USAID mission: Help nations fight poverty. Trump and Musk aim to dismantle agency…Following a week of turmoil as senior officials were put on leave, Musk announced on social media Monday that he and Trump plan to shut down the agency entirely…In fiscal year 2023…USAID disbursed more than $72 billion…USAID had a staff of more than 10,000 people.

In a 2017 report, “Mass Deportation Would Impoverish US Families and Create Immense Social Costs,” the Center for Immigration Studies, Robert Warren and Donald Kermin, offered,

… a massive deportation program can be expected to have the following major consequences:

Removing undocumented residents from mixed-status households (one documented immigrant, one undocumented immigrant) would reduce median household income from $41,300 to $22,000, a drop of $19,300, or 47 percent, which would plunge millions of US families into poverty.
The nation’s housing market would be jeopardized because a high percentage of the 1.2 million mortgages held by households with undocumented immigrants would be in peril.
Gross domestic product (GDP) would be reduced by 1.4 percent in the first year, and cumulative GDP would be reduced by $4.7 trillion over 10 years.

As each of need to do with personal financial affairs, Trump and Musk are to be commended for scrutinizing government financial affairs; however, the way changes are being implemented hints of no transition management plans for the desired changes and perhaps personal mental health issues…failure to rip off the empathy and compassion scabs. It feels like Trump and Musk may have mental health issues that do not facilitate good leadership and change management skills and talents. Psychology Today, February 6, 2025, “6 Reasons Why Some People Can’t Cry,” pages 1-11, offers possible causes as trauma, personality style, antidepressants, depression, medical condition, and social stigma. And Jay Shetty (8 Rules of Love) would offer that one is not able to love others unless one loves the self and embraces one’s karma…what goes around comes around.

After having read some 60 + books about President Donald J. Trump, some thoughts for contemplation about his character, personality, mentality, and interests are as follows,

Low functioning includes persons who “… do not exhibit polished and polite behaviors as a mask for their manipulations…may lack the education or interpersonal skills to control and deceive. Instead, they might use threats, coercion, or intimidation to achieve their desired outcome.” (Source: Dr. Timothy J. Legg, “What Is a High-Functioning Sociopath?”, 5-28-2019, https://www.healthline.com, 1-3.)
Narcissistic sociopath: one form of antisocial personality disorder and is the result of environmental factors such as a child or teen’s upbringing in a negative household that resulted in physical abuse, emotional abuse, or childhood trauma. (Sources: Mary L. Trump, Too Much and Never Enough, 2020, Simon & Schuster; https://psychcentral.com, Dr. John M. Grohol, “Differences Between a Psychopath vs Sociopath,” 5-20-2020, 1-5; Dr. Tarra Bates-Duford, “Psychopath vs Sociopath: 16 Key Differences,” 9-7-2018, 1-3; https://www.health.com, Rosie McCall, “9 Ways to Spot a Sociopath,” 10-4-2019, 1-7.
Gangster, corrupt, convicted felon, and behaves as if above the law.
A stale, nasty breath of death, hate, narcissism, chaos, fear, revenge, conspiracy, norm erosion, “dark,” institutional deconstruction, and neo-facism.

A red flag went up for this author about Elon Musk while reading Walter Isaacson’s ELON MUSK (2013, NY, NY: Simon & Schuster),

“With a childhood like his in South Africa, I think you have to shut yourself down emotionally in some ways,” says his first wife Justine, the mother of five of his surviving ten children. “If your father is always calling you a moron and idiot, maybe the only response is to turn off anything inside that would’ve opened up an emotional dimension that he didn’t have tools to deal with.” The emotional shutoff valve could make him callous, but it also made him a risk-seeking innovator. “He learned to shutdown fear,” she says. If you turn off fear, then maybe you must turn off other things, like joy and empathy.” The PTSD from his childhood also instilled in him an aversion to contentment. “I just don’t think he knows how to savor success and smell the flowers,” says Claire Boucher, the artist known as Grimes, who is mother of three of his other children. “I think he got conditioned in childhood that life is pain.” Musk agrees. “Adversity shaped me,” he says. My pain threshold became very high. (5)

Is it possible that Trump and Musk do not cry? If they do not, the author will not feel alone. We simply need to learn, perk, and deeply experience Jay Shetty’s first two rules of love: Let Yourself Be Alone (14) and Don’t Ignore Your Karma (38).

Whether Republican, Democrat, or Independent, America needs leaders and leadership by folks who can genuinely rip off the empathy and compassion scabs and care, help, service, love the Self, love their partners, and love others, while at the same time keeping America’s finances within means and budgets. The financial scrutiny is well overdue! Simply improve the change management, paying particular attention to the transition management process for the folks who are impacted, directly and indirectly. The state of our current political affairs are a shining example of the contrast between position power and earned power where leaders are objective and not self-serving and bring empathy and compassion to decisions that are in the best interests of America today and in the future. Manage the money and do it with the heart and mind entrained.

100% RESPONSIBILITY

Posted on February 1, 2025

During Corporate America years at Coors a lasting experience was the opportunity to work with Hyler Bracey, President, the Atlanta Consulting Group. The Coors family had hired Hyler and his associates to facilitate transition of Adolph Coors Company from several dependent, vertically organized companies into two independent companies, Coors Brewing Company and Graphic Packaging Company.

At the age of 28, Hyler was in a stock car racing accident and burned over 60% of his body. His face was severely disfigured, and his fingers were like burned twigs in a bonfire. However, his character, personality and mentality, manifested through his blue eyes and subconscious mind, were magnetizing and drew you to his heart…his personality, values, virtues, and goals were immaculate. Hyler modeled that physical scars offer a story of the past and do not dictate where one intends to go. He walked the talk of one of the key concepts he and his associates shared with the Coors leadership team: life happens because of me and not to me, or the concept of 100% responsibility.

Daily we are witnesses to scurrying about to avoid being identified as the culprit. In our culture there is intense desire to be off the hook; and clever and devious actions taken to get off the hook are known as cover your posterior. Quite simply, desired results do not equal excuses coupled with no desired results; and blaming, justifying, spinning, lying and choosing not to accept responsibility when something goes wrong is a negative life and leadership strategy, simply integral ethics gone wrong. Being right is a booby prize! The real prize is the desired result which has not been realized. Blaming and justifying put us at the mercy of other people and events and do not make things happen. A better strategy is not to give away power and influence by blaming and justifying. Take charge: 100% responsibility, I am 100% responsible and others are 0% responsible.

Imagine the power in this country where everyone is assuming 100% responsibility for its success. Imagine how refreshing it would be for the President, Senators and Representatives to be examining what they did and what they could do rather than expending energy and plotting how to get off the hook. Perhaps the greatest value of the 100%-0% concept is that it focuses energy on creating desired results rather than finding ways of avoiding responsibility. Because it encourages folks to develop new options to produce desired results, it is a deeply empowering concept.

Thank you Hyler for pointing the way to 100% responsibility, a leader’s tool to make things happen and generate positive differences in every area of American lives. The negative option is wasting time and money blaming, defending, justifying, spinning, meeting, lying, cheating, making excuses and not getting the job done for Americans.

INSPIRING RESOURCES

Managing From the Heart (Hyler Bracey, Jack Rosenblum, Aubrey Sanford, Roy Trueblood, 1990, Atlanta GA: HEART Resources)

Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day (Jay Shetty, 2020, NY, NY: Simon & Schuster)

Integral Life Practice: A 21^st-Century Blueprint for Physical Health, Emotional Balance, Mental Clarity, and Spiritual Awakening (Ken Wilber, Terry Patten, Adam Leonard, and Marco Morelli, 2008, Boulder, CO: Integral. Note Chapter 8: Integral Ethics)

HYPERPOLARIZATION

Posted on January 25, 2025

Hyperpolarization is accompanied by social regression and anger. Steve McIntosh offers,

Although America is plagued with abundant problems and challenges, most of these problems have pragmatic solutions that are within our power to implement. Almost none of these solutions, however, can be realized within our current political environment. Our frustrated, stymied, stalemated, and hyperpolarized political process is stuck in its tracks, and this gridlocked condition is now causing our social regression. Hyperpolarization is really the mother of all our problems because very few of the serious challenges we face can be adequately addressed until we ameliorate the fractious and frozen state of our body politic. (Developmental Politics: How America Can Grow into a Better Version of Itself. 2020. St. Paul, Minnesota: Paragon House, xiii)

The only way to effectively solve this ugly problem is to evolve our collective human condition. This can commence by selecting politicians who are leaders. As we do homework for elections, leadership qualities can be identified.

Core Values, Virtues and Guiding Principles

The Constitution is sacredly obligatory upon all.
Some core values are truth to power, honesty, integrity, hope, love, and morality; and putting quality, compassion, common good, and virtue in all one is and all one does.
We do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those amongst us who do.
We respect law and order.
We are committed to “walk the talk,” to action, and to the concept of 100% responsibility, life happens because of me and not to me.
We are objective, not self-serving, and make decisions in the best interests of The United States of America.

Leaders

Have a track record of success building coalitions and are trusted.
Have a history of putting quality, common good, compassion and virtue in all he-she is and all he-she does.
Understand that great leaders have been good followers and that leadership is an influence relationship that energizes earned power and willingness to achieve mutually defined goals.
Are master of the authentic self, mind”full”ness, awareness, self-restraint and integral life practice; and model the way as persons, in relationships, socially, institutionally, culturally, and by helping others and caring about others.
Have high standards with respect to morals, ethics, guiding principles, virtues and core values that are plainly manifested in personality, character, mentality, and magnetism.
Are visibly committed to health, wellness, and well-being personally and for all Americans.
Are well-qualified, compassionately listen, inspire hope, have faith, and are empathetic.
Know where the country is and what it needs.
Will be surrounded by exceptionally well-qualified associates who are leaders.
Will diligently work to create and maintain a compelling worldview vision and action strategies and plans for the country.
Will lead the development of policies and programs to evolve the country for all Americans.

Leadership

LEADERSHIP is an attribute of an individual’s brand; and is an earned, trust based, influence relationship between the respective leader, other leaders and followers who intend ethical and moral change that mirror common purpose. Some key qualities are as follows:

INTEGRAL ETHICS: The concept of integral connotes comprehensive, whole, balanced and “best of the best” and the concept of ethics is sincere private commitment to doing what it takes to grow into a life of full integrity: “walk the talk” in every area of life and “model the way” as individuals; in relationships; and when skillfully helping and supporting others. It is an opportunity for happiness and freedom and embraces 100% ethical responsibility for cultivation of care, compassion and awareness in the world and the globe: the range and depth of ethical choices that includes conscience, intra-psychic ethics—health, wellness and wellbeing, behavior, cultural relationships and systems and the environment. Ethics includes the full spectrum of morals, values and principles and is the art of being a good person and practicing goodness in everyday life. It includes all ways of being truthful, intelligent, authentic, and courageous that constitutes integrity: coupling intentions, promises and commitments with actions and behavior. The fruit of everyday ethics is humility and deep self-respect, a meaningful and lasting integrity that frees the person from living in denial, self-division, and self-contempt. Good leaders provide clarity about institutional ethics, morals, values, and guiding principles and behave consistently with these organizational beliefs. Ethics can also be the common values of a specific group.
MORALS: Judgments made by an individual and concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness and badness of human character.
VALUES: Determine what a person pays attention to and how the person acts. Examples: trust and trusted; integrity; direct; open; honesty; caring; compassionate; moral; health, wellness, and wellbeing; financial viability; leadership; hope; and peace-of-mind.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES: Core values that are articulated. Examples: Do not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do. Objective, not self-serving and acts in the best interests of the people and organization 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, denied, and repressed reflections manifested in the world. I am a student of life. I am silent self alone. I do everything with love. No matter what I am experiencing, it is arising in the awareness I am-the Universal Self.
PURPOSE: Reason for existence. Examples: Exemplary student of life. In the service of global health, wellness, and wellbeing, to embody, celebrate and study the ever-greater depth of awareness, humanity, and life.
FOLLOWERSHIP: The actions of someone in a subordinate role. The intentional practice on the part of the subordinate to enhance the synergistic interchange between the follower and the leader. Team players committed to team play.
INTEGRAL VISION: Comprehensive, compelling picture of a desired future state. Leaders create and communicate a world centric vision, strategies and direction for the organization and persons led. Articulate a worldview for the Nation and the globe and possesses an integral understanding that allows the leader to be aware and understand other persons thus opening greater mutual understanding and openness to innovative, harmonious resolution; and more intelligent and appropriate responses to conflicts faced.
MISSION 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 to get things done.
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.
INTEGRAL THEORY and PRACTICE: Student of integral theory and integral life practice—physical health, emotional balance, mental clarity, and spiritual awakening—that includes a pluralistic and multicultural composite map of the human territory and ways to include the important dimensions of being to enable growth, awakening and development to fullest capacities. Integral theory does not dictate how to practice or how to live. It offers new perspectives on practice and life, new possibilities, and new horizons; and it opens minds, thus hearts, to a more inclusive and compassionate embrace of the Cosmos and all its inhabitants. Leaders who push the edges of their discipline do so by taking perspectives with more depth and more span than most others.
INTEGRAL COMMUNICATIONS, TECHNOLOGY and ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE MASTER: Integral communications translates the way an individual speaks to others’ perspectives while still being an authentic self. Simply keeps persons informed and creates communication forums and diverse coalitions to give and receive information and ethically manage perceptions. The spectrum of communication expertise: intrapersonal, interpersonal, person-to-persons, mass media, social media and associated technologies that optimize communication needs and strategies.

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.
STAFFING and STAFF DEVELOPMENT: Attracts and selects people with innate talents and learned skills. 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.
TEAM LEADERSHIP: Achieves results by motivating and inspiring a unified, 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 uniqueness and contribute at their full potential.
BUSINESS and FINANCIAL SAVY: Has a worldview perspective and is aware and understands the implications of changes in the globe. Has “street smarts,” sizes-up situations quickly, is practical, and knows the right things to do and when to do them. Plans, communicates, monitors and controls, establishes risks, solves problems and makes sound decisions concerning economic and financial performance.
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: Open to input, change and new ideas. Implements breakthrough and innovative ideas, programs and processes that make a genuine difference.
INTEGRAL POLITICS: is aware and understands the inadequacies of political parties because of limited and partial views that do not address the complex issues facing the world today.

Individuals matter, leaders matter, and leadership matters. If democracy is to prevail, we must select good leaders and hold them accountable for high quality leadership!! The evolution imperative of wholeness and inspired, growing awareness of the human condition, coupled with helping others, can change the daily headlines from an underlying sense of fear, chaos, and domination to love and freedom. Leaders can be grown who create a vibrant civil society where people continue to be free, to live as they choose, to speak their minds, to organize peacefully, and to have a say in how they are governed. Steve McIntosh contends, “…the fractured state of American society also has the potential to catalyze a cultural renewal that can lead to a new era of political cooperation and progress. In other words, the difficult work of overcoming hyperpolarization can actually lead to a renaissance in American culture. (xiii)

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