“….you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” NIV Bible, John 8:31
No time in my lifetime (born in 1950) has it been more apparent that our culture is in serious need of a thorough dialog with regard to the deplorable state of integrity amongst and within us. A cavalier attitude toward commitments and greed have infected us. This general lack of integrity has lead to record number of mental illnesses and prescriptions for depression, concentration, anxiety, fear, anger, despair…need I go on. Let alone the ongoing crisis with alcoholism and both legal and illegal drug addictions. Our financial and political institutions are notably infiltrated with those of dubious values and questionable integrity. How unfortunate it is that we now find ourselves throwing our nation’s wealth towards those who through their own institutional and individual lack of integrity have mismanaged and stole away the savings and ruined the lives of many decent hard working citizens. It is time for the masses to rise up and demand transparency, accountability, and candor. Have these institutions and leaders said to us “Let them eat cake” ? This was a comment commonly attributed to Marie Antoinette…I guess she just lost her head there.
But wait, perhaps this crisis of integrity goes far beyond our financial institutions and our politicians; it may actually be present in our morning mirrors? Is our word our bond? Are we taking responsibility for our lives or are we choosing to be victims? Are we in denial of our own state of spiritual emptiness as well as petty and deprecating attitudes toward others? Are we basing our identity on the shortcomings of others? Are we being robbed of joy and health by our own failures to face and embrace the reality that “It Is, What It Is”. Only when we have clarity unobscured by emotionalism and sensationalism can we begin to develop and implement effective strategies for improvement. During my time on the nuclear submarine USS Kamehameha SSBN 642 it was well understood that for this mobile missile platform to continue to be a viable strategic deterrent it was necessary to know exactly where were were at all times so that our missile systems had credibility in reaching their potential targets. You gotta know exactly where you are if you are gonna get to where you wanna go.
Below I present a brief interpretation of both Inter and Intra Integrity along with some thoughts as regards what we can do to better both our lives and our society in this regard.
Write a commentThe range of what we think and do is limited by what we fail to notice. And because we fail to notice that we fail to notice, there is little we can do to change; until we notice how failing to notice shapes our thoughts and deeds. Quote…R.D. Laing from Stephen R. Covey’s The 8th Habit page 43
Our days are full of opportunities and obstacles, knowing which is which, and then assessing them accurately makes the difference in how “Hard” or “Easy” the day flows. We all need to tune out unneeded information to prevent sensory overload and pick out the wheat from the chaff so to speak. This discernment is fundamental in allowing us to be effective in what we observe and interact with… There are things to be done, people to meet…… “ I have promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep” so goes the poem by Robert Frost “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening”. So naturally we must quickly sort through all the inputs, conditions and interactions around us to accomplish just about anything. Over time, we develop our own patterns for filtering out what is important. Unfortunately, as our unique filtering mechanisms evolve for us, there are key reactions and conditions that we either stay or become oblivious to. In these key pockets of ignorance are the great opportunities for us to advance our own condition. The challenge is how do we find these pockets of ignorance? How do we see that which can not be seen?
Write a commentThe decision to choose a business coach might be based on the answer to the following question “Will I achieve results I desire given the resources currently available to me?” If the answer is “yes” read no further, no need to waste your time. If the answer is ”maybe” or “I’m not sure” or “probably not” please read on.
Business coaching provides the leader and the organization an opportunity to shift current strategies in a manner that is custom tailored and specifically designed for them. In a time of global competition and information over load, maintaining one’s personal balance while supporting the motivation and direction of the team can become difficult to say the least. Day to day pressures often prevent us from standing back and making a fresh assessment of where we are and what’s the best course to set for tomorrow. Like wise, as the role of the servant leader emerges as a model for greatness, it compels us to seek new ways to refine our business acumen.
The following is a brief summary of some key elements associated with business coaching:
• What are the benefits
• Who can benefit from business coaching
• What are the qualities that make up a valued coach
• When is it time to consider hiring the business coach
• How does the process work
What are the potential benefits of business coaching?
Involvement with a business coaching group can be an intervention strategy aimed at making a needed shift within your business without the cost, disruption or risk of major personnel changes. Likewise working groups can become ingrained in repetitive “in the box” approaches. Excuses for inaction may manifest themselves with the adage of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” towards running the business, this is a slogan of the complacent, the arrogant or the scared. Business coaching can provide a catalyst for needed change. When business coaching is brought on board superior business results with wiser leaders and highly engaged associates can occur.
Business vision and strategy must ultimately be supported and rooted at the highest levels of leadership within the organization. The leader provides the resources and encouragement to stay on task with the overall direction of the business. The accountability brought to bear by an objective coach can support the leader in staying focused on his or her new/revised strategy for success.
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