The Inconvenient Truths

We have entered an age of fact checking, truth-o-meters, investigating reporting, and DNA matching and cell phone videos.   This new era has allowed us to see what is going on in real time, to uncover the past and to verify what has been said and done.  This has also allowed us to pull back the covers on things done under a cloud of suspicion and to find the truth. And certainly this has been a good thing for all of us.

In recent years it has become quite clear that a number of things are broken in our social systems, politics, law enforcement practices, immigration review and economy.  In so many words these have all become sources of tension, marching protests and push-backs.  Additionally, many of us see these things as problematic and reflections of the past.  As one politician puts it “the system is rigged and people feel it, and they’re right.” 

Many of the challenges we face today are more contrasting then they appear.  As the nation with the largest economy in the world, we depend on trade and an abundance of energy to keep the wheels turning and the midnight lamps burning.  We are also a nation which has the most powerful, innovative and effective military force that can project itself through sea power, air power, special ops and boots on the ground.  Make no bones about it; we spend over half of our national discretionary budget on our military, nearly 600 billion in 2015.  This is all in an effort to provide safety and security for what we do and to protect our national interests around the world.  


And we all get it to a degree, but we cannot continue to police the world, all the while not addressing the challenges on the home front.  Those challenges include rebuilding cities that are in ruin, addressing income inequality, providing affordable health care, taking care of veterans, reducing the high rates of poverty and the incarceration of people of color.  Yes, we have a lot on the table to deal with and certainly things cannot be changed overnight, but the future of the nation demands some steps to be taken now and to not just continue to kick the “can” down the road.  And did I mention about the effectives of global warming, juvenile justice reform, improving water quality and urban agriculture?  That is what I see, how about you?            

Let's Build Something Better

There are a number of old adages that we use to describe how we feel about a lot of things that occur from time to time.  These adages are helpful in and during times when it is hard to put words to paper and thoughts into action.  In so many ways adages gives us an opportunity to express some of our deepest emotions while at the same time gives us pause to help put the situation into perspective.  An adage in other words gives us a break and helps to provide a context in which to frame the situation at hand.    
  
Some of the most used adages, some you have heard before and perhaps have used include, “the show must go on.” What about, “you can push people just so far.”  How about, “you get what you pay for,” or “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  And of course the one used during the Wall Street bailout, “To big to fail.” And here is one of my all-time favorites, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.”  Well you get the picture. 

There is nothing like it when an adage is used to describe a situation or to call attention to something that is affecting us.  Most people when hearing one begin instantly to analyze the adage to see if it fits the situation and if not may offer up one of their own.  What most people do not realize is that an adage is a form of oral communication, a proverb, or saying that perhaps fits the moment.  Many of these adages are passed down from one generation to another and are better known as folk wisdom.  And over time have gained credibility in the life experiences of people and communities. 


Of course I want to add to the great list of notable adages with, “Let’s Build Something Better.”  Well, I know it may not mean anything to you and may not become a top ten nominee or become the title of a movie that wins an Oscar at the Academy Awards for having the most diverse cast in modern history, but this is a really big deal.  It appears that so much is going on in the world these days and so much money if being spend on things that benefit only a few, while many of our major cities are in ruin, high rates of poverty, poor living conditions, sky rocketing unemployment in urban cities, high rates of incarceration of people of color, inadequate social support systems, out of sight and out of mind gun violence, etc., etc., etc.  And if you are seeing what I am seeing, there has to be a better way to solve our issues... and what about “if we build it, they will come.”  What do you think?            

Stepping INTO Our Future

“Time doesn’t wait on anybody,” is one of those wise sayings I learned from others since my youth.  And I am sure I am not alone.  This is one of those sayings that sticks and can help each of us to remain focused on how we use our time.  In so many ways we all are guilty of not using the time we have wisely.  If fact, we all have wasted time in going through the motions, standing still, doing nothing, look back or doing things that really don’t matter.  Of course that is your choice.      

I don’t know about you, a lot has happen in my life and wish I had the opportunity for some “redo’s.”  But that will not happen, for that time has come and gone.  What has happen in the “past is just the past” and is now history.  We all must learn from our mistakes, pain endured, brokenness, lost productivity, missed opportunities as well as our successes.  Even though the past provides some comfort in what we have done, for “seeing is believing and experience is the knowing,” it may not be enough to help us deal with the situations and issues that are on the horizon.

After coming to the realization of missed opportunities of the past, the next course of action is to always look forward to a brighter future.  For it is in the future, the next day, month, year, decade or generation that holds the most promise to fulfill dreams, set new records, reach milestones, or to maximize one’s potential.  We have to learn how to move forward and to push on, even against the odds, mistrust and beyond those that do not believe in us. 

The future, even with all of its uncertainty, fear of the unknown and lack of predictability is still a better option than reliving some of the activities of our past.  In the words Winston Churchill, the Prime Minister of England during WWII, “those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”  In a real sense, our past should provide us with a foundation and the experience of knowing what to do and what not to do.  And as this year continues to unfold, let us start making the right steps and moves that will ensure that our “best days” are in front of us and not behind us.  Just watch your step!

Becoming A Good Leader

There are a countless number of definitions, books and at least two dozen theories about leaders and leadership.  Some of these definitions, books and theories are more known than others, but each of them have been used over time to bring attention to understand what it is, how to develop and to make it work in a given context and culture.  It is understandable to note that some leadership styles do not work in all situations, organizations and communities.  They call that a “good fit,” so they say, however that is another story for another day. 

We all can agree that there is a tremendous need for more training on how to become a good leader or to improve one’s leadership skills.  The traits and talents to lead are common and instilled in all of us; however it is the development, experience and refinement of those hidden skills that make all the difference in the world.  Of course this is where the concern lies; are we willing to make the commitment and to do what is necessary to become stronger in our leadership abilities?

Bennis & Nanus in their book, “Leaders: The Strategies for Taking Charge,” view leadership as a part of its context and that leadership is the wise use of power.  Heifetz in his book, “Leadership Without Easy Answers,” views leadership by its value.  For him leadership has two images.  The first image means influencing the community to follow the leader’s vision and secondly, it is influencing the community to face its problems.  Stephen R. Covey in his book, “Principle-Centered Leadership,” sees leadership as having four levels including personal, interpersonal, managerial and organizational.  DePree in his book, “Leadership is an Art,” views leadership as defined reality.  Of course there are many, many more definitions as well as a few well known theories including Servant Leadership (Greenleaf), Authentic Leadership (Avolio & Luthans), Charismatic Leadership (Weber) and Transformational Leadership (Burns).

One thing is clear, there has been a lot written and training developed on leadership and that is good to know.  There is no shortage of research, practical application and scenario based illustrations in which to draw upon to highlight the successes and failures of leadership.  But the bottom line is this; we can only become better at what we do when we continue to be open to lifelong learning about what it takes to be an effective leader.  For in real terms a leader is a person, who leads people with a purpose.   What do you see?

Looking for a Few Good Leaders

The New Year is off running and so are a record number of people who are interested in one or more public offices.  It going to be interesting to see what unfolds in the coming months from the upcoming battle for votes, debates and town hall meetings, however one thing is clear, many of the contenders will not make the cut.  It is also going to be unclear if any of the incumbents or fresh faces to the political scene will be able to make a dent in the growing mountain of issues and social problems.  And that is where the greatest concern lies; who is equipped, knowledgeable and ready to take on the issues that are affecting most residents in the city of Milwaukee these days?

Milwaukee, like so many other metro cities in America is wrestling with a lot of issues that are affecting how the city operates, problems are handled and business is done.  The list is endless and includes aging infrastructure, century old housing, outdated water and sewage systems, and increasing levels of crime, lost sense of community, failing schools, vacant lots, empty buildings and food deserts.  Beside those things we all can point to a few other areas of concern, however, the one thing that I have noticed is that there is a big “void in community leadership.” 

I am not talking about leadership created because someone is running for some kind of paid public office, but real leadership that comes from the “grass root level.”  This is the kind of leadership that is not found by a title or the holder of an office; but the kind of leadership that comes from those who lives are directly affected by situations and who live in those communities where the problems are real and the solutions are few.  These are the places where leaders are “birthed into action” and take the lead to response to the crisis at hand.             

Today, there is a growing need for the development of “grass root leaders.”  These leaders are desperately needed to fill in the looming leadership gaps.  And with so many baby boomers becoming unable to take on the modern day challenges, the situation is becoming direr with each passing day.  It is true that leadership at times is without easy answers, but that comes with the territory.  And if you are looking at what I am seeing... these times require some new faces as well as some new ideas at all levels... but what do you see?              

Looking Ahead

It’s a new day, a new me, getting it together and the best is yet to come are just a few of the ideas that are floating out there these days as this New Year begins.  It is perhaps fitting to read off some of the items on your “New Year Resolution” including losing some weight, eating healthier, read a few good books, take that needed vacation, go back to school, get back in church, look for a new job...well you get the picture.  But perhaps it is also a time to take an inventory of what you when through on last year and make some serious changes or do some house cleaning. 

In my view, if you did not like what you got on last year then you must do something different this year to experience a better outcome.  If not, than what happen to you on last year will just repeat itself, and the same results will occur.  You know, it is always fun to dream and write up those resolutions each year, but taking the action necessary to make the change is where the problem lies.  For many of us “Change is Hard.”  And as we look forward to this New Year, a lot has to change if we expect more and are looking for living a better quality of life for ourselves and our families. 

At the heart of this change we seek is to first envision what we desire that can become possible.  As Stephen Covey, the author of the “Seven Habits of Highly Successful People,” states that we must “begin with the end in mind.”  This should be our starting point to see the possible and work towards making it happen.  This will require us to change our habits, set some goals, set some boundaries and even to realign some of our relationships.  This is not easy, but is possible.   

We must keep in mind that real change will not happen until we make a change with how we see things and interact with various situations.  We also must remember that we all have a choice in what we hear, say, and accept.  We all have a choice when voting, when voicing our concerns on matters that affect us and we all have the choice to get involved in making our community better.  And if you are looking at what I am seeing... this year will be interesting ... but what do you see?