§ The problem we must confront is that we often respond to change by continuing old patterns that are simply not working.
In this arena where new conditions meet old ways of doing things, societies often become stuck and battles ensue. There are those who want to embrace a different future with new ideas, and there are those who want to anchor us to what has worked in the past. Unless, we seek a new way of responding to change without dividing into warring camps, exploring solutions in a world of change becomes a continuous battlefield.
When I think about the impact change has on our lives, I find myself immersed in understanding the nature of change. Change is usually a response to shifting facts and events. When new facts and conditions emerge, our response to change also emerges. Change enables us to investigate newer realities by creating different solutions for positive outcomes.
§ The danger lies in trying to implement unknown, new solutions to new change.
In this election year, I was drawn, almost like an observer drawn to a freeway wreck, to the war that was waged between political and media arenas. It is often disturbing to hear many politicians offering up solutions that are theoretical in nature meant to transform us. But into what? Theories often create unintended consequences, and even outright failure, when they are not understood and not tested. They often have the appearance of soundness, but that may be misleading. Theories, even the best of them, are simply not proven to work and the results can be far worse than doing nothing.
Yet, on the other hand it is naïve to think that what worked yesterday, by saying, "see how this President did it a generation or two ago and how successful his approach was," without accounting for the difference in time and social dynamics will work today.
§ Before we criticize others, it is imperative that we learn to recognize that our world has changed tremendously, and the world's problems are uniquely ours and to our times.
History is filled with examples of the old ways colliding with new conditions and newer ways of seeing the world. During the years leading up to the American Revolution, newer conditions of governing prevailed. The New World colonists viewed their lives and its relation to government as shifting from the tyrannical rule of a monarchy to a republic view of independence and personal freedom. Our founding citizens came to appreciate that they were seeking something different than what they experienced in the Old Land.
§ By recognizing shifting ideas and circumstances, the colonists found themselves at war with the old ideas and power structures.
Sounds familiar doesn't it? Where does this leave us as we try to boldly step into an ever-changing future? First and foremost is the need to listen and accept others in the face of new ideas. Change is necessary for growth, listening is necessary for understanding, and acceptance is needed to nourish collaboration. By understanding the extraordinary power of actively listening and unflinchingly accepting the value others bring, the seeds for failure are diminished so that the mechanisms for change can be planted. This is the testing stage of new ideas.
It is vital to navigate change with the utmost care and thoughtfulness. This is the place where wisdom plays its glorious and empowering role. In a progressive agenda, wisdom that is not rooted in the experience, knowledge, and lessons of the past can easily embark on a reckless course. Conversely, a conservative or traditional agenda that is unwilling to recognize and embrace the life and energy of the new is doomed to decay and death.
I've identified four empowering principles imparted by our founding wisdom-filled founders as they spearheaded the drive for independence. I believe that these principles can also guide us towards an amazing future today. All of these leaders were diverse thinkers with alternative and differing ways to act. Together, they shared their beliefs and lifted their voices to form a new nation. Allow me to share the importance of different thinking and its effectiveness which is at the core of Uniting Creatives.
1. There is more than just one idea.
The leaders of the American Revolution were accomplished, successful men who saw the world through a singular lens. When building a nation, this wasn't enough; they soon learned that solutions to the issues of freedom and tyranny didn't come easily and they were not alone in this battle. They deliberated, debated, and challenged each other. They learned to give and take and create a new concept of the future that would lead a young mismatched collection of colonies towards greatness. Ideas need to be tested, nurtured, and evaluated. When you draw absolute lines in the sand of ideas you limit the ability of other great ideas to build and make yours more complete. One of my favorite analogies is the following:
The speaker called the young woman forward and held his hand up for her to see.
"What do you see?" he asked her.
Looking shyly around, she answered, "Your hand."
"Describe what you see," he requested.
"I see knuckles... uh, four fingers and a thumb." She described.
"Is that all?" he asked.
"Well, I see five fingernails also."
Looking at his palm raised in front of him, the speaker shook his head.
"There are no fingernails," he disagreed. Slowly he rotated his hand getting a full look.
"Oh, you are right!" he exclaimed. "We are both right but we have to see it from different angles to get the full picture. Or we can be stubborn and fight about the one angle truth we have."
Even truths may have many angles from which to examine them. For those of us who only see truth from the angle of only self, we generally end up becoming one-dimensional. Everywhere I turn today, I see evidence of the limitations in this kind of narrow thinking. Just as it is important to have an idea, it is equally critical to become RESPECTFUL AND LISTEN.
2. Identify the problem, speak out, take risk, and inspire others.
Our founding fathers brought their entire focus to clarify the issues they were facing in a new land. Sideshow controversies were not used to divert attention from the real problems because the issues they faced were far too serious. They realized that the decisions they made would have far-reaching and potentially grave consequences. With their destiny at risk, these leaders found common ground that inspired a new nation rather than resort to the partisan tactics that are alive today.
3. Creative Solutions Need Risk Takers
Our founding fathers believed in limiting government in people's lives so that individual greatness could flourish. They believed in freedom as a human right in which to create their own destiny. By removing the capacity for people to create solutions, there is little room for inner strength and genius to flourish. If we are never given the opportunity to reach deeply into ourselves and discover our innate strengths, then how can we discover the depth of our commitment as well as our greatest value to the world? By seeking self-rule and self-sufficiency, our leaders, in their fight for independence, declared that wisdom and understanding is empowering not diminishing. Knowledge that comes from this understanding makes us strong and prosperous.
4. The voice of the ordinary can become extraordinary
All of these founding fathers were wealthy landowners and were nominated and entitled to shape the country. Yet most shared one weakness, they believed that landless men did not have the capacity to participate in governing. This perspective changed as outside pressure grew.
With the support of John Adams, the fight for independence extended beyond the walls of the Congress. As the leaders debated the country's destiny and the actions that must occur, John Adams' cousin, Samuel Adams, organized the colony of Pennsylvania's working class. Landless commoners of the colony's militia including its officers refused to take further orders from the Pennsylvania assembly and brought the assembly to a halt. With this pressure, the move towards independence escalated.
Bolstered by the bravery of the Massachusetts counterparts against the British in Concord, the Pennsylvania militia took a radical step of raising their voices and making their demands to the decision makers. Free people cannot give their voice away to our politicians. To do so creates the very tyranny we fled from over 200 years ago.
I believe change, even as we face surmounting issues today, is an opportunity to find solutions that can move us to new heights of greatness. But these solutions must embody a deep understanding of what empowers us and not what diminishes us. As you reflect upon the above principles, let me offer a few ways to put them into practice:
§ Open yourself up to completely new ideas. Only a diversity of ideas will make us great. There is nothing to fear if you are seeking what is best, rather than trying to be right or have your way.
§ Understand the nature of the problems you face. Become fiercely honest with yourself. True leadership lies with those who understand the problems and look for the best solutions. Be this kind of transparent leader in your own life.
§ Seeking solutions begins with unleashing our individual greatness. By building your voice, it is then possible to cultivate new solutions through cooperation and collaboration. Seeking the best for us requires seeking the best in all that you do. Take full responsibility for your own voice in building your greatest dreams.
§ Understand the value of listening to others as you seek to unleash the best that lies within you.
Steve Whytman stands for excellence. As part of the core Optimist Report Team at http://www.TheOptimistReport.com,
his role is to inspire each of us not only to action, but to
excellence. Steve holds the steadfast vision of what each of us CAN be,
not who we are today. He sees beyond our limitations into our individual
and collective greatness. Download his book Blueprint for a Great Big
Life: Master the moment at http://www.Thegreatbiglife.com.
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