Contemplative leadership integrates the awareness that a leader develops from living in unified relationships with SELF, OTHERS, NATURE and GOD (or higher being) with the actions required of a leader.  Developing these four relationships transforms the source and focus of a leader's influence and vision.  They guide a leader's ethical behavior, create trust, and provide the deeper meaning and purpose for achieving a group or organization's mission.  Contemplative leaders seek to realize human potential and improve the human condition.  (From The Merton Institute for Contemmplative Living) 

Questions:

• How does the description of contemplative leadership compare to your experience of leadership?
• Is contemplative leadership a relevant approach for leaders and organizations today?

I welcome your comments!

In a recent The Washington Times, it was reported that from 1990 to 2009, “the percentage of sexual harassment claims filed by men has doubled from 8 percent to 16 percent of all claims, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).”  Wow, that’s quite a jump.  But what’s also interesting is while the overall number of sexual harassment complaints has declined with the EEOC, male claims have increased.  And, most claims involve men harassing men.  So, what’s going on men?

• More men are coming forward and complaining about it.

• It may be unwelcome romantic advances by female supervisors.

• Men are picked on because they are gay or perceived as being gay.

• Men are considered not masculine enough, i.e., viewed as effeminate, for the work setting.

When I conduct sexual harassment training and bring up male-male sexual harassment, most people shake their heads in disbelief.  However, it is a reality and needs to be addressed in an employer’s training program.  Why?  Because the law makes no distinction between gender in harassment cases.   

His premise – “keep a constant flow of legal immigrants into our country is the key to keeping us ahead of China.”  Friedman argues “the most important economic competition is no longer between countries or companies.  It is between you and your own imagination.”  What isn’t a commodity is our imagination, the ability to spark new ideas.  And these high school kids have ideas, which they presented at a banquet that Friedman attended.  Friedman was so inspired by the youth that maybe the future will be O.K. “if we can just get a few things right – immigration, education standards, bandwidth, and fiscal policy.”

What is your thought on Friedman’s opinion that the most important economic competition is between you and your own imagination?   

Spiritual Intelligence (SQ) is “The ability to act with Wisdom and Compassion while maintaining inner and outer peace, regardless of the circumstances.” (Cynthia Wigglesworth, President and Founder, Conscious Pursuits, Inc.)   SQ is based on the model of Emotional Intelligence, but with the focus on how one uses the skills of wisdom and compassion in one’s work. 

Why would a business care about having SQ in the workplace?  Well, would you rather work in an organization where people are able to weather stress and maintain inner and outer calm, or one where people fly off the handle, are reactionary and rude?  That is one difference of how using SQ enables us to work more effectively, productively and respectfully in the workplace.  Imagine if employees were better able to deal with tough customer situations by listening with their hearts rather than thinking in their heads? Check it out and read Wigglesworth’s paper Spiritual Intelligence:  What is it?

Why is this a concern?  The newest generations will “expect an instant response from everyone they communicate with, and won’t have the patience for anything less.”   This is a “must read” to understand the profound implications the pace of technology and social media is having on our communication patterns, social relationships, and workplace. 

Maybe I’m showing my generational ineptness (Baby Boomer who is 56), but I find Phelan’s remarks alarming and disturbing!  Being the father of a 25 and 20-year old, I can tell you that face to face communication is critical to establish throughout the times my adult children were children. 

Where are the “heart-to-heart” talks that happen late at night when your daughter breaks up with her boyfriend, or your son struggles with making decisions about college choices, or both of them need help to sort out what friendship is about?  You don’t do it texting, my friend. 

Texting cannot replace the powerful nurturing and bonding that goes with personal conversations at the dining room table, standing and shooting the breeze in the kitchen, chats while in the car, or late nights in their bedrooms talking about their fears and joys. Any parent who believes otherwise will end up with a “long distance” relationship with their children. 

I continued reading this ad and it turns your thinking upside down because it contends being the same for 117 years is a good thing.  Post has used the same original ingredient since 1892 – “fiber-rich 100% whole grain wheat.”  Whole wheat grains are good for you, so why is there a need to change, to be innovative?  The ad ends signed by “Frank Druffel” with the caption under his name “We put the ‘no’ in innovation.”

Okay, this ad really got me hooked.  Then, at the very bottom of the page it said, “See Frank in action at ThePalaceOfLight.com.”  I invite you to visit this site because there are several short video clips of Frank with employees of the company contending that “progress is overrated.”  Frank’s rationale is clever, filled with examples, very convincing, and entertaining.  But, it drives the message that the 117 year-old Post Shredded Wheat is not into innovation.  What was good for you back in 1892 is still good for you the way it is in the 21st century.

This ad and website definitely is counter to what is believed to be a success in the marketplace – be innovative or die.  Or is it?  Explore yourself and let me know.  I’m pleasantly stumped!

As a facilitator, I've used a variety of creative meeting processes to help groups brainstorm, plan, make decisions, or to simply get people off their feet and start thinking!

One of the most engaging and stimulating processes I’ve used is called Open Space Technology (OST).  It is “effective in situations where a diverse group of people must deal with complex, and potentially conflicting material, in innovative and productive ways.”  The best situation for its use is when nobody knows the answer, and “the ongoing participation of a number of people is required to deal with questions.”

Here are just a few tantalizing characteristics of OST process:

• The total agenda for the meeting is represented by a blank wall.
• It is a self-managed process by the participants themselves.
• It can be used with little as 10 people or over 250 people.
• It is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.

One final note is to know about the Four Principles of OST: 

The Four Principles

Whoever comes is the right people.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.

Whenever it starts is the right time.

When it is over it is over.

Have fun exploring!

One of the many contradictions we are faced with in our personal and work lives have to do with relationships with people and the clash of our values in situations we are faced with.  A book entitled The Second Half of Life by Angeles Arrien, a cultural anthropologist, explores these contradictions in our human condition.  The practice is to “befriend” these contradictions, not unlike what da Vinci experienced. 

Here are a few contradictions that you may relate to.  Ask yourself, “How can I be present with both?” 

Can I be                                                                      While still remaining

Angry at someone                                                      Loving toward this person

Against an idea or plan                                               Respectful and cooperative

In agreement                                                             Firm in my own convictions

Emotionally involved                                                   Intellectually clear

Able to see the worst possibilities                                 Hopeful

Afraid                                                                        Capable of acting

Respectful and yielding                                                Firm in my own beliefs

Both sides are present and neither negates the other.  The challenge is to live with both because they are present.  

What are some traits that I see in these people?

• Unconventional
• Risk takers
• Critical thinkers
• Challenge the status quo
• Entrepreneurial spirit
• Passion
• Intensity
• See the world through many different eyes

Ever wonder how Google Earth came to be and how they figured out to create a Street View of your neighborhood?  Read about Stephen Chau #17, product manager, Google Maps and Google Earth. 

Looking for a tuition-free, on-line-only, open-source university?  It’s happening with its creator Shai Reshef, founder, University of the People, #37 on the list.  Classes start in fall 2009. 

And, who is ranked #1?  You'll have to read the article.  Enjoy!!