Comments for The Lion's Den http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog Fri, 25 Jul 2008 05:00:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 Comment on Crisis vs. Peace by sharon aulds http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/07/17/crisis-vs-peace/#comment-3351 sharon aulds Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:39:55 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/07/17/crisis-vs-peace/#comment-3351 Also, Happy Birthday, we both know what's next! yikes. Also, Happy Birthday, we both know what’s next! yikes.

]]> Comment on Crisis vs. Peace by sharon aulds http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/07/17/crisis-vs-peace/#comment-3350 sharon aulds Sat, 19 Jul 2008 01:37:38 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/07/17/crisis-vs-peace/#comment-3350 On a whim I googled your name and found this from you, my long lost friend. I am thinking of you, remembering your wedding 29 years ago. Congratulations and much love to you both. Sharon On a whim I googled your name and found this from you, my long lost friend. I am thinking of you, remembering your wedding 29 years ago. Congratulations and much love to you both.

Sharon

]]> Comment on Actualize Inside Out Leadership by Lila Davis http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/03/07/actualize-inside-out-leadership/#comment-3339 Lila Davis Sat, 12 Apr 2008 20:56:16 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2008/03/07/actualize-inside-out-leadership/#comment-3339 WOW!! This is my daughter writing this! You need to be on the President's council writing speeches for him/her.. Very impressed with the minds of my kids. You go girl! WOW!! This is my daughter writing this! You need to be on the President’s council writing speeches for him/her..

Very impressed with the minds of my kids. You go girl!

]]> Comment on Leadership Synchronicity by Lamont Moon http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/07/01/15/#comment-19 Lamont Moon Thu, 13 Jul 2006 17:25:30 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=15#comment-19 aguerrero - I resonate with your ideas and convictions concerning the preference of challenge over glassy water as a pathway for living, or leading. It is the challenge that builds competence and increased conviction. As I look at both my own life and others, I see that the issue isn't necessarily a guarantee of success or immunity of pain, but that what is done is real, purposeful and that we are unconditionally present to the "is," of each moment. aguerrero - I resonate with your ideas and convictions concerning the preference of challenge over glassy water as a pathway for living, or leading. It is the challenge that builds competence and increased conviction. As I look at both my own life and others, I see that the issue isn’t necessarily a guarantee of success or immunity of pain, but that what is done is real, purposeful and that we are unconditionally present to the “is,” of each moment.

]]> Comment on Leadership Synchronicity by aguerrero http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/07/01/15/#comment-18 aguerrero Tue, 11 Jul 2006 23:06:11 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=15#comment-18 - Try as I might I cannot relate to a life of synchronicity. I've never experienced it. Of course I've experienced positive growth, but never without friction. I believe if life were ever smooth enough to be comfortable I would become very curious as to what it was about to throw my way. I can't complain though, imagine sailing across the sea on glassy water - I wouldn't want it, I doubt I'd ever set sail again. - Try as I might I cannot relate to a life of synchronicity. I’ve never experienced it. Of course I’ve experienced positive growth, but never without friction. I believe if life were ever smooth enough to be comfortable I would become very curious as to what it was about to throw my way. I can’t complain though, imagine sailing across the sea on glassy water - I wouldn’t want it, I doubt I’d ever set sail again.

]]> Comment on Being a Bit Better by Lamont Moon http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/03/19/being-a-bit-better/#comment-17 Lamont Moon Fri, 16 Jun 2006 12:06:54 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=14#comment-17 I really like D. Beyer's above comments! Maybe another question for the mix is: "What is larger and more important than both my will and values?" What do I need to join, or recognize that I am already joined with, that will incorporate my contributions of self and practice? When I make a distinction of what is me and mine to hold and do, I miss the power of the refining and larger fire found only in walking into the alchemist's flames that blends the pieces of depression and failure with strength and purity. Only until this is done, this being given to something bigger than just me, will I ever see the ordinary, everyday forms transformed into the exquisite and rare. I really like D. Beyer’s above comments! Maybe another question for the mix is: “What is larger and more important than both my will and values?” What do I need to join, or recognize that I am already joined with, that will incorporate my contributions of self and practice? When I make a distinction of what is me and mine to hold and do, I miss the power of the refining and larger fire found only in walking into the alchemist’s flames that blends the pieces of depression and failure with strength and purity. Only until this is done, this being given to something bigger than just me, will I ever see the ordinary, everyday forms transformed into the exquisite and rare.

]]> Comment on Are We Listening? by Lamont Moon http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/04/09/are-we-listening/#comment-16 Lamont Moon Fri, 16 Jun 2006 11:28:47 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=17#comment-16 I have heard it said that when lost in the woods the best thing to do is listen to the trees because they know the way. This somewhat cryptic expression suggests that unconditional presence to what is, and to the "now" of what some call co-emergence (the presence with both good and bad) will be telling of what is before us and maybe more importantly, what it within us. As we let our life speak to us as it needs to, we then have opportunity to act with authority that both originates within an authentic center of essence, but also is where our strength comes from. Activity is never the answer in and of itself, telesis is (progress that is intelligently planned and directed). How we experience this in my experience has lots to do with listening to the trees that are right in our midst. I have heard it said that when lost in the woods the best thing to do is listen to the trees because they know the way. This somewhat cryptic expression suggests that unconditional presence to what is, and to the “now” of what some call co-emergence (the presence with both good and bad) will be telling of what is before us and maybe more importantly, what it within us. As we let our life speak to us as it needs to, we then have opportunity to act with authority that both originates within an authentic center of essence, but also is where our strength comes from. Activity is never the answer in and of itself, telesis is (progress that is intelligently planned and directed). How we experience this in my experience has lots to do with listening to the trees that are right in our midst.

]]> Comment on Being a Bit Better by D. Beyer http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/03/19/being-a-bit-better/#comment-15 D. Beyer Tue, 13 Jun 2006 08:38:49 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=14#comment-15 I would equate excellence more strongly with "our best effort in every moment" rather than defining it as "doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it." Why? Because "our best effort in every moment" is rooted in our values while "doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it" is rooted in our will. "Our best action in every moment" is rooted in a decision that we have made that comes from our values and is reflected in our character. Not every moment is a shining one. Not every day is greeted with the same energy or confidence. However, I can still choose to live bringing my best effort to every moment. I can still live by my values even when I am unable to out do my previous efforts. This frees me to believe that sustained excellence is really possible. Also, true integrity with this view of excellence (not just saying the words but truly bringing ones best to that moment) will undoubtably lead to the result of often "doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it." From this view, I can continue to pursue my ideas with action without fearing failure. Why? Because I have made a decision to bring my best to each moment. Failure is not something that I can control. This also brings the realization that some failures are excellent. However, when excellence is too much defined as "doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it", I am trapped by an unsustainable standard. If I just hit the ball 400 feet, then the next time needs to be 405, then 415, and so on. To achieve excellence this way demands constant improvement. I get stuck on a performance grid that is impossible to maintain. I begin to feel the pressure to have to be "on" all the time. To be "off" in any way becomes unacceptable. While you can "will" such performance for a while, I haven't seen anyone who has been able to sustain it for a lifetime. Failure becomes inevitable. When there is a growing sense that failure is inevitable, you will also find a growing gap between ideas and action. So could it be that the gap between our ideas and our actions could signify that we still too often live out of willpower and performance rather than values? Values have to be represented in our actions to be values. "I can do no other!" Willpower, however, is often zapped by the fear of failure. I can think of many times when my ideas and actions didn't match because my willpower tank was too empty. It simply wasn't worth the effort or the risk of failure. Could this difference between living from values and living by willpower also explain why in today's world leaders are choosing character first, then competence? Think of how many companies have crashed over putting up false performance numbers. This also represents the human result of the performance grid, when we can't out do ourselves, we lie. I would equate excellence more strongly with “our best effort in every moment” rather than defining it as “doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it.” Why? Because “our best effort in every moment” is rooted in our values while “doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it” is rooted in our will. “Our best action in every moment” is rooted in a decision that we have made that comes from our values and is reflected in our character. Not every moment is a shining one. Not every day is greeted with the same energy or confidence. However, I can still choose to live bringing my best effort to every moment. I can still live by my values even when I am unable to out do my previous efforts. This frees me to believe that sustained excellence is really possible. Also, true integrity with this view of excellence (not just saying the words but truly bringing ones best to that moment) will undoubtably lead to the result of often “doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it.” From this view, I can continue to pursue my ideas with action without fearing failure. Why? Because I have made a decision to bring my best to each moment. Failure is not something that I can control. This also brings the realization that some failures are excellent.

However, when excellence is too much defined as “doing things a little bit more, a little bit better than I just did it”, I am trapped by an unsustainable standard. If I just hit the ball 400 feet, then the next time needs to be 405, then 415, and so on. To achieve excellence this way demands constant improvement. I get stuck on a performance grid that is impossible to maintain. I begin to feel the pressure to have to be “on” all the time. To be “off” in any way becomes unacceptable. While you can “will” such performance for a while, I haven’t seen anyone who has been able to sustain it for a lifetime. Failure becomes inevitable. When there is a growing sense that failure is inevitable, you will also find a growing gap between ideas and action.

So could it be that the gap between our ideas and our actions could signify that we still too often live out of willpower and performance rather than values? Values have to be represented in our actions to be values. “I can do no other!” Willpower, however, is often zapped by the fear of failure. I can think of many times when my ideas and actions didn’t match because my willpower tank was too empty. It simply wasn’t worth the effort or the risk of failure.

Could this difference between living from values and living by willpower also explain why in today’s world leaders are choosing character first, then competence? Think of how many companies have crashed over putting up false performance numbers. This also represents the human result of the performance grid, when we can’t out do ourselves, we lie.

]]> Comment on Are We Listening? by Rich Wilson http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/04/09/are-we-listening/#comment-12 Rich Wilson Mon, 10 Apr 2006 13:46:26 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=17#comment-12 Identifying and focusing on the "necessary" needs of our life is a process that is often given a back seat. There is no intent to place it in that position, but it is shoved there by our letting distractions take precedence. You are correct that we must not only keep our focus (sight), but that we must also be aware that we can easily become blinded. I would offer, however, that this is often more a case of being "blindsided." We live in a world and time of the immediate. Things rush at us at lightning speed and all have a way of demanding our attention and subsequent action. So how do we keep from being blindsided without ignoring the external distractions? I am not saying that external distractions are all negative in nature. There are some that do not or are not related to our lives. Others can and should be embraced. This is why we must filter without ignoring. Often when we have a personal or professional need, the answer is right before us but we become so insulated that we often do not take the time to look. It's becomes the life version of internet SPAM. We find ourself deleting it all. A tool that I use in various forms is based on the fundamentals of marketing. What you see or do everyday will eventually cause a habit to form. I keep a small colored dot on my watch, on my computer screen, and on the rearview mirror of my vehicle. It reminds me each time that I see it that I should, at that moment, offer a quick prayer and to think about my personal goals and needs to ensure that what I am doing is in line with what God has planned for me. Identifying and focusing on the “necessary” needs of our life is a
process that is often given a back seat. There is no intent to place it
in that position, but it is shoved there by our letting distractions
take precedence.

You are correct that we must not only keep our focus (sight), but that
we must also be aware that we can easily become blinded. I would offer,
however, that this is often more a case of being “blindsided.” We live
in a world and time of the immediate. Things rush at us at lightning
speed and all have a way of demanding our attention and subsequent
action.

So how do we keep from being blindsided without ignoring the external
distractions? I am not saying that external distractions are all
negative in nature. There are some that do not or are not related to our
lives. Others can and should be embraced. This is why we must filter
without ignoring. Often when we have a personal or professional need,
the answer is right before us but we become so insulated that we often
do not take the time to look. It’s becomes the life version of internet
SPAM. We find ourself deleting it all.

A tool that I use in various forms is based on the fundamentals of
marketing. What you see or do everyday will eventually cause a habit to
form. I keep a small colored dot on my watch, on my computer screen,
and on the rearview mirror of my vehicle. It reminds me each time that
I see it that I should, at that moment, offer a quick prayer and to
think about my personal goals and needs to ensure that what I am doing
is in line with what God has planned for me.

]]> Comment on The Reversability of our Past by Lamont Moon http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/2006/01/28/the-reversability-of-our-past/#comment-7 Lamont Moon Mon, 13 Feb 2006 03:28:48 +0000 http://www.courageousleadership.com/blog/?p=6#comment-7 The Constructed Self is an illusion that for far too many of us, and for far too long remains defining. Its' layers need to be burned away until only our unborn self and what is true about us continues. The question: "Who am I?" is too often based on destinations experienced and our road kill. For most, who we are, is defined by the rear view mirror, not in a faith in what does exist within us. The only way out if we see ourselves "in," is forward. And so let's embrace both that which we define as good and bad, let's take the whole experience of then and now, and emerge wiser, purer, firmer and simpler for ourselves and each other. The Constructed Self is an illusion that for far too many of us, and for far too long remains defining. Its’ layers need to be burned away until only our unborn self and what is true about us continues. The question: “Who am I?” is too often based on destinations experienced and our road kill. For most, who we are, is defined by the rear view mirror, not in a faith in what does exist within us. The only way out if we see ourselves “in,” is forward. And so let’s embrace both that which we define as good and bad, let’s take the whole experience of then and now, and emerge wiser, purer, firmer and simpler for ourselves and each other.

]]>