That’s the question I’m contemplating today. What is “good”…and what constitutes “good”? Is there enough in it for me? Will I “feel” good? Will it “fire me up” and will it give me the kind of motivation and passion to move forward? Will I have my share of fun in the “good”? And lastly, where will “good” take me and will it lead me to places I want to go? (I certainly don’t want the look or the behaviors of a blowfish!)

If I have enough of the extrinsic motivators (recognition, money, things) then I can define those as rewards of “good”; with those ‘carrots’ dangling I can do all the “good” you expect or require of me. However, what about the intrinsic motivators of doing what is “good”? What about the awareness…the knowledge…the courage…the presence…the synergy…and the ethic of right leadership. When I am in the “good”, then I will have what I truly want…what I am truly looking for…what I may feel should be attainable? Is this right? What is the “good” factor within faithful leadership?

A paralleled conversation that comes up consistently is in the defining of happiness vs. joy. I may not always be happy when in the “good”. The “good” may be painful and not so much fun…it may even feel obligatory, but you know that others are watching…accessing…critiquing you at every turn. Sometimes that pressure can create enough energy that I feel like I am ready to blow! That constant measurement is too much accountability. However, history has shown that I can experience joy when in the “good”. Joy that comes from doing what is right…joy that the consequences will be ones that I can look at…own as mine…make a difference with…and live with them into eternity.

Wow…why can’t things just be like the popular cultural phrase, “it’s all good”? Because it’s not all good. You can find yourself momentarily happy because of the circumstances you believe are “good” and then be miserable forever for that experience…or you can experience joy because you were in the “good”…and that is a lot more palatable when you have to carry it around with you 24/7. Living within that kind of joy can illuminate our souls and inspire us toward greatness. It’s the joy expressed in right leadership that may be harder to do…but easier to live with.

Hence, the next question I ask is, “How do I recognize “good”, specific to me, and how do I sustain “good” in my life?” Now we are getting to the core…the core of truth, the core of epistemology, the core of love, and the core of ethic…the accountability factor…big time!! Now before I go on….I have to admit that I get tired at times when you fling that accountability word in my face. Why can’t I just ‘wing it’ and have fun…no harm done there, huh? Wrong.

Whenever we can ascertain what is “good” that we can enter into…that we can join…that we can become a “part of”…then we are using more than the good angel on the shoulder opposite of the guy in red on our other shoulder. You got it…we are using our micro-community. We are using the lens of affiliate relationships that can challenge as well as encourage. This community of ours won’t always be in agreement with us…they won’t always say how wonderful we are…they won’t accept the bad choices and behaviors that are less than what we can be. That’s why the micro-community is critical to our leadership…how we lead from the inside out and how “good” is going to be contextualized….because it will show up; sooner or later. How we live out our leadership is visible to all and will impact and influence those who are watching…for the positive or the negative. Therefore, who we choose as our micro-community is of extreme importance as they are the lens that we need in order to sustain what is deemed “good”.

So…where does that lead me today? What do I need to reflect on, become aware of, listen to, and design as my matrix of “good”? It begins with the questions of, ‘what is important’, ‘what do I do about it’, ‘who will help’, what is the plan’, ‘what needs to be developed’, and ‘how do I achieve sustainability of excellence…the “good” that will define who I am as a leader from the inside out.

What is “right”…”truthful”…”good” for you? Who can lead you to the mirror on the wall and steer you from self-deception? Who can love you enough to be truthful with a spirit of honesty that seeks to support rather than tear down? Who can walk beside you in a relationship of accountability that raises your game…ups your level of leadership…celebrates the joy of being in the “good” that defines the purpose and quality of your life?

Find those people…with all speed…with pugnacious intent…and with an openness of spirit. Find those people that will aid in your response to what is “good” for your life and will cheer you as you take the steps…the possible leaps of courage…whatever it takes to live the life of a faithful leader. Those relationships are the real rewards of a life lived as “good”. Remember, it’s always the people that matter in life…not the things.