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Feature Article: E Pluribus Unum
"Let us reach for what we know is possible. A nation healed. A world repaired. An America that believes
again."
President Barack Obama
Poetry Corner
The Opening of Eyes
That day I saw beneath dark clouds
The passing light over the water
and I heard the voice of the world speak out,
I knew then, as I had before,
life is no passing memory of what has been
nor the remaining pages in a great book waiting to be read.
It is the opening of eyes long closed.
It is the vision of far-off things
seen for the silence they hold.
It is the
heart after years of secret conversing
Speaking out loud in the clear air.
By David Whyte
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BOOKS
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 The True Patriot
by Eric Liu and Nick Hanauer
 Holding the Center
by Richard Strozzi Heckler
 Leadership From the Inside Out
by Kevin Cashman
 Full Body Presence
by Suzanne
Scurlock-Durana
 The Next Level
by Scott Eblin
 Theory U
by Otto Scharmer
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For weeks I have struggled with how to focus this issue of “Conversations on Leadership and Life.” My first approach
was an attempt to avoid turning my newsletter into political commentary for we have more than enough of that going on
already. This approach resulted in a rather mundane piece that seemed totally out of touch with the reality before us. So
I’ve decided to share my concerns and perspective in the hope that you will join me in this conversation about leadership and life at this critical time in our history. It is
primarily through conversation that powerful change can take place. People in conversation create connection, deepen
understanding, discover creativity and form commitment to action. We must be in conversation with each other now
more than ever before for while these times call forth our deepest fears and they may well offer the greatest opportunity for transformational change.
We have a new president elected on a powerful message of hope and change who has taken office in the midst of the
worst economic crisis in our lifetime. These times call forth a very different kind of conversation than the mean-spirited,
divisive, often hateful talk that has driven a wedge between the so-called “right and left.” Yet, in a matter of weeks,
depending on who we listen to and more importantly, who we are as listeners, we hear posturing by members of both
parties whose leaders seem to have lost sight of the importance of bringing us together to get through this crisis.
The annoying, noisy talk we hear day in and day out from cable news is disheartening. (I’ve stopped listening)! Even
though it’s been just a few weeks since President Obama’s inauguration, some analysts are already talking about a
failure to deliver the goods. Despite the distracting noise of negative talk, my hope is that we, regardless of party, will “get
with” our president and stay with him for the long haul renouncing the politics of fear and holding fast to our belief
that we have the capacity rise up and meet the challenge offered by Lincoln to “summon up the better angels of our nature.”
We are challenged with two wars, an economic crisis unlike any we have ever seen. The health care system is broken.
The energy crisis is hampering our economy, threatening our planet and enriching our adversaries. Have we forgotten
Obama’s message that WE are being called upon to face our problems together—realistically and with a keen
awareness that there are no easy answers. We are more than fifty states either red or blue—we are the United States.
Our individual liberty is served, not negated, by attending to the common good. In his speech honoring Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, President Obama reminded us that
while each of us must do our part, work hard and be responsible, there are some things that we can only do
together. “Only by coming together, all of us, and expressing a sense of shared sacrifice and responsibility – for ourselves
and one another- can we do the work that must be done in this country. That is the very definition of the American
dream.” (Excerpt from President Obama’s speech honoring Lincoln’s 200th birthday)
“The dogmas of the quiet past, are inadequate to the stormy present.... As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew.”
Abraham Lincoln
Leadership Lessons: Care of Self
I often refer to my clients as heroes...for they are! Their stories touch me deeply, teach me a lot and inspire me is so
many ways. These days my clients come to coaching with the usual array of leadership and life challenges that range
from strengthening leadership presence or moving to the next level, to finding more fulfillment in life or making a
career/ life transition. It’s not surprising that in recent months, the uncertainty caused by the economic downturn
has become an additional source of anxiety and stress for many. One senior executive has had the responsibility of
managing layoffs for his company—a difficult task that is taking its toll on his health. Another has taken a severance
package, but fears that the career change he had hoped to make at midlife will be impossible to achieve. A third, to
avoid filling a vacancy, has taken on additional responsibilities including a great deal of travel. She is
exhausted much of the time as she wonders how she’ll have the energy to keep going. Let me share one of their stories with you in more detail.
I picked up my phone late on a Friday afternoon a few weeks ago to hear the distressed voice of one of my long-time
clients. “My world has turned upside down overnight. I’ve
just been informed that I will no longer have the flexible work schedule I need because of the kids, and on
top of that, they are demanding that I start traveling again to Chicago and New York. I think they want me to
save the company single-handedly, or they’re setting me up to fail so they can fire me.” Jacqueline, a senior
executive in a consulting firm, carved out a special niche for herself at the company because of the quality of
her work and her ability to connect with clients. During the good times, the company’s owners had
accommodated her need for flexibility because she produced at such a high level. Suddenly, in panic mode
as the economic downturn struck their business with a vengeance, they turned to Jacqueline, their top
marketer and producer who was also their most highly paid employee to keep the company from sinking quickly.
As we talked, she calmed down a bit deciding to take the weekend to think things through, talk the situation
over with her husband, and do some financial and business planning around a couple of options including
starting her own business. On Monday, I received an email from a very different Jacqueline. It was called
“Care of the Soul.” Here is what she wrote:
“I’ve been observing myself…not quite sure what to make of things, but curious. I’m realizing that my
old way of handling difficulty was to panic. And my way of handling difficulty now is to go back to the
basics of self care—the nurturing of my body and soul. Instead of business planning, I spent the
weekend fully in the now—the ‘what-would-make me-happy-in-this-moment’ kind of now. I went to
the gym, watched the sunrise, listened to some great music, took a nap, did some writing. It’s been
calm and fun…exactly what I needed. I am feeling so good and I fully trust the rest will come in
time. Whew…this is a much easier way to live!”
When my clients and I begin our work together, I introduce a framework for self-care based on the four
domains—body, emotions, mind and spirit because our well-being in these four domains is what makes us
resilient and increases our capacity to live with uncertainty. Care of self enables us to sustain the energy and
focus required to face the risks and challenges of these times--even to experience the feeling of peace and
well-being. Jacqueline has learned through self-observation and practice how to take care of herself. She
knows what it feels like to be centered and has a process for getting back to center when life throws her a curve.
“Life means for us constantly to transform into light and flame all that we are or meet with.” Nietzsche
TIPS, TOOLS AND PRACTICES: Taking Care of Self
- Begin and end each day with gratitude. “I am grateful for…..”
- Be still…sit quietly for at least 10 minutes each day.
- Take a walk each day and while you walk, smile.
- Breathe, breathe, breathe
- Listen to music you love
- Get plenty of sleep
- Make at least three people smile each day.
- Play, sing and dance
- Buy some tulips
- Lighten up!
© 2009 Bette George & Associates, Inc. All rights reserved.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to others. Permission to reprint or reproduce in a newsletter, publication,
or by an electronic means is granted, provided that it includes this notice: “Copyright 2009 by Bette George & Associates, Inc. From Conversations on Leadership and Life, an e-newsletter by Bette George, website: www.bettegeorge.com email: bette@bettegeorge.com.”
Conversations on Leadership and Life is an e-newsletter written by Bette George of Bette George &
Associates. In each issue, Bette offers best practice tips and resources, innovative ideas and inspiration to
help you begin to create the change you want to see in yourself, your workplace, your community.
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We take your privacy seriously. We will never share your personal information with any third party.
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