Here in Colorado we face again the need to reckon – individually and collectively – with the senseless acts of a few. This time, a theater, the place many of us go to “escape” for a couple of hours, turns into the site of a massacre. It’s not right. And it hurts beyond compare.
With all the talk about leadership, about moving things forward, it’s difficult to reconcile such a senseless and destructive act. (I shudder when I consider what was once so “crucial” in my day.) Isn’t a leader somewhere, somehow, supposed to put an end to this madness?
We refuse to become numb. Perhaps now, more than ever, the leadership we’re looking for resides in each us. We have choices – every day we have decisions to make. As we live our lives, when we sit in meetings, answer emails, listen to colleagues, work on projects…will we live in fear – or will we demonstrate courage? Will we blame – or will we seek what we can learn? Will we become bitter – or will we stand up and open our hearts even more?
What does it mean to live and lead from values unconditionally?
This is a time for mourning. And for honoring those we’ve all lost. Then, on the horizon, you can see it. The question we’ll all have to ask ourselves to make sense of this senselessness: Who will we become?
The answer starts with who we will be today.
This is a space for conversation. Share your answers to the questions above below so other leaders in our community can experience your important words.
The essence and time of this post are spot on. Living from our values and recognition of the things that are truly in our control will provide us awareness to what is most important to us and what we can achieve. The selfish acts of a few are far surpassed by the selfless acts of the majority. LEAD ON!
“Far surpassed by the selfless acts of the majority.” Well put, my friend. And, an important reminder to use the 3 Mind Factors to our advantage. Thanks for leading the way –
Craig
Simply stated Leadership is about Leading in both the good times and bad. It is about living your values especially during those times of stress when things look the darkest. Fear, blame, bitterness are all the opposite of the same coin that includes courage, understanding, and love. The Leadership challenge is to avoid dweling on the negative and instead to search out the light and life lessons.
These words are an incredible reminder of the power of focus. Thank you for inspiring us to focus on what we can control — and reminding us that each moment is an opportunity to activate potential.
Will we become bitter – or will we stand up and open our hearts even more?—
What a great question! And if we look deeper… Why will we stand up? In the BIG 5 Promise, we introduce besides Professional and Personal the 3rd category …Social. I think we all have much potential to do more of… In the US and everythere.
Your question, Peter, “why?” is perhaps the most important. When we tap into the power of why, we get closer to our values – and move in more determined ways. Thank you, my friend –
Craig
Senseless act yes and we see and hear more every day some close to home and family,the values that have been past from your parents to you then to your children has that now been lost,socially we need to get back on track
Hey Charlie! Hope your winter down under is uneventful… and you are so right… we need to get back on track… on the path so to speak… it starts at home. Cheers to you!