In many of the organizations I work in, the overperforming criticize the underperforming and ultimately call for what’s considered the ultimate cure: “holding people accountable.” Just saying the words in a pathetically stern tone warms the hearts of vindicators. What’s curious is how the question is never, “How can we get better at helping these people succeed?”

We still live under the rock of mythology that suggests that fear and punishment are sustainable factors in authentic personal transformation. They are not and never were. People become more engaged when they become conscious at higher levels, and a negative deficiency approach only creates lower energy vibrations of consciousness.

Being accountable is the act of authentic commitment, which is the opposite of bartering compliance for rewards. And this only comes about in relationships where people are supported to make commitments not contingent on conditions.

The US government has now spent millions, possibly billions, of dollars on failed rebuilding projects in Iraq, including hospitals, airports, and infrastructure. It’s a project management issue. In one case, when inspectors visited a medical waste management facility, administrators there couldn’t quite locate the key to let them in.

We need a political vision that includes attention to common disciplines like project management that enjoy regular success in US business projects. If we’re going to continue occupying Iraq, it’s the least hospitable thing we can do.

There is wisdom in slow. If you want less consciousness, go fast. Slow is more aware. Bicycling views through dense architectures revealing more landscape than driving views. Slow food revealing more nuances of textures and tastes. Wisdom in the unhurriedness of life.

Let’s stop being surprised
that the planet is populated by wonderful people.
Let’s stop being surprised
that many of them live right here in our city.
Let’s stop being surprised
that there are people who totally act outside the confines of our stereotypes.
Let’s stop being surprised
that the stories we tell ourselves shape our destinies.
Let’s stop being surprised
that we are at root, brilliant beings with infinite potentials.

Had a fabulous experience today facilitating a hospital leadership retreat. I had people publically recognizing each other’s strengths, talents, and gifts. It was a process that brought tears and smiles, as wounds healed in the light of authentic appreciation.

What’s interesting is that transformation is never something to take for granted. Some groups take the opportunity and squander it; others like the group today, embrace it. All that matters is that we create the space of opportunity regardless of guarantees and risks.

…………..

Sun shines,
free from care,
whether it is despised or received.

I spent the evening yesterday facilitating a dialogue on innovation with a room of creatives from around the Cleveland area. They reminded me of every other group of brilliant and talented people I’ve seen, including times I’ve rubbed elbows with top international artists, inventors, and scientists. They are curiously ordinary and humble. Until they start to talk about their work, and then they shine.

Notice how tone of voice in conversations acts to either shut down exploration or open it up. Choice of words matters as well because of the emotional charge of words regardless of the under and over tones. Same goes for the stories we tell each other that name and assess our experience. Some stories invite further inquiry; others shut off inquiry - as when people speak in suggestions in contrast to speaking in dogmas.

This past weekend, I clocked more hours of door and floor repair and sheetrock hanging than I deserve. The big practice was patience, realizing again that impatience is completely an experience we create. The only effective way to get stuck in impatience is to project responsibility on the situation, disavowing any responsibility.

The problem created is that we miss the opportunity to disover how we create and maintain our own impatience. For me, impatience is resisting reality, in any way, for any reason.

Followers create the leader,
darkness creates the sun,
students create the teacher,
victims create the hero,

rivers create the ocean,
thoughts create the thinker,
emptiness creates form,
future creates the present,

silence creates the listening,
fear creates courage,
inquiry creates discovery,
context creates content.

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the number of moments that take our breath away.

Anonymous