Leaders live in the gap created by the current reality as perceived, and the preferred future as conceived. These tensions that are self created or given to us by others, ask us questions of how we will be responsible to the entire equation that the gap creates. We are commanded - whether internally or externally - by our accepted goals that are both large and small, complex and simple. These commands make us who we are, or bring out an emerging wholeness that exists. Philosopher Martin Buber moves us along in this thought when he says: “There does seem to be a built-in sense of indebtedness in the consciousness of man, an awareness of owing gratitude, of being called upon at certain moments to reciprocate, to answer, to live in a way which is compatible with the grandeur and mystery of living.”

Responsibility to a call to close the gap, to grow, to emerge, provides both the value of satisfying the tension of unmet goals, but also creates a quality of living that distinguishes us from merely practicing fidelity to what it means to be a human being, and strengthens our consciousness expressed in being human.

Today whether in the cubicle of the office or another living space, we demonstrate our understanding of what is before us, within us, and upon us, as we respond to the situations command to act. Let us pay attention because we are responding one way or another.