Specks versus Logs

I have some scar tissue on my eyes from an unknown source (perhaps the result of a childhood accident). Most of the time, this veil-like cloud floats harmlessly and does little to impede my vision. Its size and scope may be a mild nuisance when I’m trying to focus on an object but I generally enjoy an unobstructed view of the world. So what is the relationship between my eye condition and this blog topic?

During the month of February I have been teaching an elective class during the Christian education hour at my church. The lessons and themes have been drawn from what many of us know as the Sermon on the Mount, recorded in chapters 5-7 of Matthew’s gospel. One of the warnings leveled in chapter 7 is about how easy it is to judge others; finding fault with their behavior while denying or neglecting to change our own. The absurdity of this attitude is illustrated by imagining how silly it would be to remove a speck from someone else's eye if a log obscured our own vision during the delicate surgery.

Psychologists and psychiatrists have a term for this behavior. It’s called projection and is defined as projecting onto others the problems and faults we are fighting ourselves. Why is it so easy for us to spot even the smallest sign of weakness in others while failing to acknowledge how large this problem may be in our life? Do leaders practice projection in their daily interactions with employees, customers, peers, and vendors? How often do I judge other’s behavior with little or no analysis of my own?

Authenticity is one antidote for the problem of projection. Of course it requires that what one thinks, says, and does are congruent on a daily basis. Therein lies the challenge. We are often unwilling or unable to see the logs that cloud our perspectives. By deflecting attention from our disparate behaviors we attempt to conceal inconsistencies and protect the image we have created for ourselves. But it’s harder to conceal the logs in our eye than we might imagine. Our inauthentic conduct reveals the weaknesses we all struggle with – anger, pride, selfishness – the list goes on and on. By pointing out the specks in other’s eyes we call even more attention to the logs in our own.

Finger-pointing and judgmental attitudes are common practice in the business and political settings where we work. None of this behavior is conducive to real problem-solving or innovation. The specks we see in others, both real and imagined, should not be our focus. How you behave and react to situations shouldn’t cloud my perspective or influence how I feel. If I focus on the logs that shape my reality and, acknowledge or remove them, I will notice that your specks don’t matter as much. Oh, I will still be tempted to point them out but they don’t need to influence my relationship with you. I can move beyond judgment to embrace forgiveness, love, and kindness toward others.

Would you agree with me that it’s time to perform some major eye surgery and regain the vision that has been lost because we lack the courage to be authentic with each other? Are you willing to confess the logs that prevent you from seeing and accepting others for what they contribute, instead of focusing on how they are different? Can you imagine a workplace or political discussion that is absent of rhetoric or blame?

I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t hold each other accountable for bad behavior. Instead we must exercise caution and care when practicing accountability and model authentic behavior in all our relationships. Only then will our need to project be abated and replaced with the loving service so frequently absent in leadership. Scalpel anyone?

Walking Humbly

Leadership and humility seem quite disconnected in the current economic and political climate. To hear our nation’s leaders speak there is little doubt that Washington has the answers to whatever crisis we are facing, real or imagined. Many of our country’s top business leaders have spurned all sense of accountability through actions that can only be described as arrogant. Is it any wonder that consumer confidence is shaken?

Most of us are quite adept at convincing ourselves of our own self-importance. Perhaps it is the many messages we have received over the years from parents, teachers, and others about how special we are that has influenced our thinking. It might be all the times that we have been told it’s not our fault when our performance has been less than stellar. It could be all those self-help books that convince us we can do and be anything we want. Maybe it’s just plain old selfishness, a sin that has plagued humankind since the world began.

If you have ever been confronted with the brutal realities of total, abject failure or disappointment you understand humility. Standing before God and your family or friends stripped of self-respect is to know how insignificant we really are. I’m not suggesting that when we get to this point we aren’t loved. In fact, it is at this lowest level when we are finally ready to receive unconditional love.

Humility isn’t a sign of weakness. Leaders would do well to learn this truth. When we act in a spirit of submission or deference, when we actively put the needs and concerns of others before our own, we are being humble. There is no room for pride or a self-serving attitude in the leader who seeks humility. Instead apologies are offered when mistakes are made or when decisions were driven by selfish motives. There is a vulnerability that acknowledges when the leader doesn’t have an answer or needs help.

What would happen in the halls of Washington or the boardrooms of America if leaders humbled themselves before God and the people they are there to serve? Would we notice a different approach to solving our most pressing problems? Might our citizens be inspired to get involved and create imaginative solutions? Would we be forced to face the truth about our own arrogance and insensitivities to the needs of others?

Many of the people I work with as clients and colleagues are quietly doing the right things everyday without any recognition or fanfare. They understand the innate strength of a humble spirit and a heart that is filled with love and service for others. Their faith and trust is in a Higher Power far greater than our existing political and economic systems. They pray daily for wisdom and courage to see where they can make a difference.

It will be these persons who lead us out of whatever crisis we are in, not the suits in Washington or on Wall Street. In fact, most of them would do well to eat a heavy diet of humble pie in the months ahead.

Dressing a Pig

Politics and leadership seem like an oxymoron these days. I know the dangers of writing anything that seems political in nature but the recent discussions about the state of our nation’s economy and how to deal with it offers an irresistible leadership lesson. So I’m diving into the muck and hoping to make a few salient points along the way.

The current debate over the need for a stimulus package to fix our ailing economy seems more like a school yard brawl or the reaction of a petulant child when he or she doesn’t get what is expected. Both sides of the political aisle are busy staking out their positions, defending their turf with a variety of arguments, and rushing to outdo each other in their expressions of concern over the nation’s future. The size and scope of the package has grown well beyond anything we have ever seen and no one is quite sure that it will make any real difference, although that is rarely acknowledged inside the Beltway.

What is missing from the process is any sign of inspirational leadership. Where is the courageous voice of reason inviting creative solutions from the private sector? Who is authentically expressing what most Americans already know – there needs to be some real pain in order to correct the current broken system? As you observe elected officials in action, who is exhibiting a servant spirit and attitude (in other words who would you wish to follow)? When will someone actually tell us the truth – about what is buried in the legislation, about why we have decided that businesses can no longer fail when they make bad decisions, about the inflation that is sure to come if we keep printing money – truth that we need to hear? Who is speaking the language of love, calling on the essential goodness and dreams of the people who make this nation work, inviting them to help correct the problem? Where is there any evidence that government can effectively and efficiently create any jobs that will add value to our economic system?

The stimulus bills that have been created are filled with “pork”, a euphemism for spending that pays back campaign supporters, buys future votes, and most importantly solidifies control and power. There are many more harsh and offensive words to describe this behavior that don’t belong in a “G-rated” blog posting. This practice of rewarding a few select groups (or in the case of the current bill lots of them at once) is now so prevalent that excuses aren’t even necessary to justify the action. As long as the leaders in power get what they want the “pork” becomes just another investment without any consequences. This pattern of “dressing up the pig” and pretending it’s not a pig is laughable.

Those leaders I know and work with see the pork for what it is, a pig. No amount of makeup or fancy clothes can hide the truth. Perhaps we have learned this lesson because in our organizations we soon discover that our pet projects look like “dressed up pigs” to employees, vendors, and customers. They tend to hold us accountable for reckless behavior and soon dash our dreams of winning beauty contests with our “sophisticated swine.” In the end we discover that no matter how we outfit the pork, it’s still a pig.

I have tried valiantly to reach my Representatives and Senators to voice my opposition to the current legislation. Their voice mailboxes and email bins are filled, hopefully with other voices of reason shouting, “That dressed up pork is still a pig!” It’s doubtful that my opinion will change what is happening in Washington, but this fiasco has reminded me to humbly consider how my own actions may be viewed by colleagues and clients. When I’m tempted to seek personal gain in the interest of some greater good remind me that I’m just dressing up a pig. Is anyone else hungry for a hot dog?

Being a Presence

I don’t enjoy networking. The obligatory smiles and handshakes, business card swap, and thirty-second elevator speeches seem better suited to extroverted social butterflies. Perhaps you share my disdain for this business activity that typically takes place in venues that are too small or too loud and is often accompanied by too many fried foods and too much alcohol. Of course they occur at the close of a demanding business day when my energy level has already been spent and I’m psychologically ready to crash.

In recent months I have made a commitment to attend networking opportunities as a way of meeting new business contacts, renewing existing relationships, and identifying possible prospects for my company. Based on the comments in my opening paragraph you can imagine how challenging this assignment has been. Yet I remain focused on being a presence at these chamber of commerce and community gatherings.

I have a simple strategy that makes participating more palatable. My plan is to connect with at least one person I wish to meet or who might need what I have to offer my clients. This approach allows me to study the crowd and find a name or company moniker that rings a bell. Sometimes the conversation falls short and other times it becomes an enjoyable, engaging dialogue. This past week the latter experience taught me an important leadership lesson.

I was attending a local chamber of commerce event when my eye caught the name badge of a woman and its familiarity prompted an introduction. I discovered we had spoken by phone a few weeks earlier and our conversation quickly established some common ground. When she produced a business card describing a small venture she was trying to develop her eyes shone bright as she talked about her love for the work she was doing and I found myself drawn into her dream.

At some point I encouraged her to “follow her heart”, advice I have offered others who share their personal and professional aspirations with me. She paused, gripped my arm, and said, “Your words are exactly what I needed to hear.” I could feel the energy shift in our conversation as we talked about her dream and reflected on the calling that God has given each of us to perform in this world. By being “a presence” that night, I was given an opportunity to serve as a source of encouragement to a new friend.

Leaders should acknowledge the importance of “presence” in the work we do. Sometimes that means lowering the anxiety level by modeling confidence and compassion in the face of adversity. It may involve comforting an employee whose personal life is shattered by illness or divorce. Presence can include celebrating successes in both private and public ways. Being present is mostly about listening for the deeper passions and dreams of others, so often hidden just below the surface of our public persona.

I am grateful for the times in my life when business peers and friends were present with me as I searched for clear direction or picked up the pieces from broken dreams. Now I’m happy to return the favor and teach others to do the same. So listen for the deep longings in the hearts of others and be present with them when they are ready to share. Your word of encouragement may prompt them to follow their calling. Being truly present makes even networking seem worthwhile.