Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts

Saturday, January 13, 2018

BY INVITATION: A conversation with Dr. Marie Delorme, recipient of The Order of Canada

The Order of Canada medal SOURCE (Canadian Encyclopedia.ca)


I like to think I pay attention to what goes on around me online.  I'm tuned in on most social media channels, with Linked In being one of my go to's.  One of the features I like the most is when one of my network contacts is in the news.  I was thrilled to discover this wonderful nugget of accomplishment on my timeline that Dr. Marie Delorme was recognized as the recipient of The Order of Canada - see sidebar.

As I do most often, I re-posted this distinguished award on my feed and sent a personalized congratulations message to Dr. Delorme.  She responded quickly, humbly and graciously.

Marie has been called an entrepreneur, a business leader, a Metis woman, an Indigenous person, a Ph.D. doctorate, a creative leader.  Now she can add Order of Canada recipient to her impressive bio.

I asked Dr. Delorme for permission to write a blog in the form of asking a bunch of questions for her to answer.   What unraveled was a glimpse of a magnificent woman who gives more of her self than most business leaders do in a lifetime.  

Dr. Marie Delorme


Who do you want to be identified as?  (i.e. Mother, wife, daughter, sister, CEO, Indigenous woman, woman, feminist, business person, Calgarian, Canadian. 
I am an entrepreneur, mother, feminist, a Métis woman originally from Manitoba but a Calgarian for the past 32 years.

What did you want to be when you grew up?
My brother and I grew up in a farming community. A special treat was buying comic books for 10 cents at the little store a mile down the road. My brother taught me to read them before I went into grade one. I wanted to be a DC character like Superman, Supergirl, or Wonder Woman.

Besides "everything will be okay" what would you tell your 12 year old self?
The next 10 years mark a journey that will be the hardest you will navigate in your life. Know that you have the strength and endurance to see it through and wonderful adventures are coming your way. Tough times do not last, but tough people do.  

Who or what has been your greatest influence?  Event or Person? 
Throughout my life, many people have formed my journey. Some, like my grade 10 teacher, introduced a love of literature; my brother had the patience to teach me to drive as a teenager; my son gave me the unique experience of being a mother and now a business partner; an Indigenous woman elder in Winnipeg is in her 80s and is a role model for love, patience, and inner beauty; my best friend for the past 48 years has a wonderful family who gave me a sense of belonging and love in my teen years. And, of course, there are the people I have never met but who were role models and influencers. They are musicians, writers, actors, and poets. And the everyday people who accomplish great things; who may briefly make the news; but who contribute to society in meaningful ways. All of these people and many, many more have influenced me. I had the wonderful opportunity to come of age in the 60s and 70s -- a time that produced great social change -- The American Indian Movement, The Women’s Liberation Movement, The Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights Movement all influenced my thinking and values. And, of course, the very best music ever came out of that era!

What did your 80 y/o mentor have to say about this award? 
She sent a lovely email message, that included the phrase “yabba dabba do”!!!

Do you have a Metis women role model?  Woman role model?
Mae Louise Campbell from Manitoba who embodies a healing spirit and has dedicated her life to the knowledge that when women fully assume their rightful place as leaders, the world will find healing and peace.

Have you ever seen an ancestry/DNA result from your heritage?
 I know both sides of my lineage. On my father’s side back to the 1600s and over a century back on my mother’s side. Ancestry.com or DNA analysis would not add to that knowledge.

What is your connection to non-Ingenious persons? 
As Jane Elliott would say “there is only one race…the human race”

Before The Order of Canada, what were you most proud of?
Being the mother of an accomplished, self-actualized, strong, and compassionate man who has been my business mentor and my friend; and having the opportunity to play a small role in who he is today.

What has changed the most since you won the prestigious award? 
The wonderful connections with friend and colleagues over the past week, some whom I haven’t seen for decades! It has truly been a blessing to hear from so many special people.

Did you struggle in school or were you on the honor role?
 Although they were not formally educated, my parents always stressed the importance of education. Academic achievement was a given for my brother and me.


When you sought your education, went on your knowledge quest, what was most important for your to discover?
 A broader understanding and perspective of the world.


What was your PhD about?
It was an interdisciplinary PhD (Anthropology, Sociology, Business) focused on intercultural leadership in the context of economic development.

Do you mentor others?  In the community? Through associations via business?
Mentorship is an important part of giving back, or paying forward. The first formal mentoring role was through an Indigenous internship program in the telecommunications industry over 2 decades ago. For the past 8 years I have been engaged as a mentor in the Coady International Institute’s Indigenous Women in Community Leadership program.

What is the least likely thing for people to know about you?  Secret vice?
I thoroughly enjoy being with people, but regeneration is a solitary endeavor. I have been to many countries and often choose to travel alone. I like the adventure, the freedom, and the unique opportunity to meet people in circumstances and places that would not have otherwise manifested. The result is a litany of great stories and friendships around the world.


What is your solitary pursuit?  Reading memoirs, bios, thrillers, social media?  Hitting golf balls on the driving range? Watching TV or Movies?
Reading, riding my bicycle, catching up on some of the series that build up on my pvr.

Family, married, children, pets, community, friends?  (or all of the above) .... What keeps you balanced? 
Catching up with friends and loved ones across the country. I often try to fit in a visit over a bite to eat, tea, or a glass of wine when I am on the road. Almost 20 years ago my son bought me golf clubs and encouraged me to take lessons. Best move ever. Catching up with friends over a game of golf is one of the most rewarding, pleasant, and spiritual experiences. And if you really want to get to know someone, just spend 4 hours on the course with them, and you will learn everything you know just by observing how they deal with joy, disappointment, and stress!

What is your handicap in golf?  Have you taken lessons or relied on learning as your go?
  I can fairly consistently shoot in the low to mid 90s with the occasional game in the 80s. Of course, there is the inevitable “blow up” game where it all falls apart. It can be a humbling sport. I once read that golf is the perfect game because it can never be mastered.

Does your best game in golf mimic your best life lesson or business lesson?
 My best game was played on 3 hours sleep when my flight was delayed and I was not able to make alternate arrangements with the group. I asked one of the foursome to keep my score as I was fatigued. I shot an 81 … likely because I just wanted to get home to sleep! I have only repeated that once since. But I did get a hole in one at a tournament several years ago!



I noticed you checked your Linked In profile via mobile .... is that how you stay connected online most? (Mobility or Email or Social Media in order of usage/preference) 
I love technology. My iPad and iPhone are critical to organizing my business and personal life, and for keeping in touch with friends and colleagues. I only use social media for business linkages. I never work on planes. It is downtime. My iPad is loaded with books, movies, and tv shows specifically for passing time when travelling.

If you had to choose only one digital device, leaving all others behind, which one would it be?
 My iPhone.

What is your "go to" social media site?  
 LinkedIn.

Do you think you will write a book?  If so, what will it be about? 
Doesn’t everyone have a book they want to write? Perhaps one day.

What is your biggest pet peeve?
I spend a lot of time on airplanes and am forever baffled by the lack of etiquette displayed by some travelers. Perhaps that is the book, as I have a list on my iPad of over four dozen instances I have observed. Some examples are hard to believe if they were not experienced first hand.

I'd love to read that book on travel etiquette -- what is the most toxic that make other passengers uncomfortable?
 Any kind of personal grooming, not tidying the washroom after use, trying to fit an oversized piece of luggage into the bin thus delaying boarding, playing music or a video without using earphones. The most shocking was the guy next to me in the airline lounge who stripped down to his waist and changed clothes! Yikes…so many examples

The Beatles or The Rolling Stones?  ... who is your favorite musical artist?
The Rolling Stones always. And specifically, Keith Richards, the soul of the band. His memoir “Life” is a must read. He said “About myself I have no great illusions. I know what I am. I know what I’m good at and what I am not. I’m always hoping to surprise myself. But I do have a love of music and communication. That is the best I can do. And I can raise a good family too.”

What is your favorite movie?
 I don’t have a favorite, but am drawn to sci-fi and dramas. I rarely watch anything twice.

What is your favorite song?
 Too many to list, but a few that come to mind include: “Fields of Gold” written by Sting and performed by Eva Cassidy; Keith Richards “You Got the Silver” and “Trouble”; “Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves” from the third act of the opera Nabucco.

With this award, what has it allowed you to do that otherwise may not have presented itself?
Ask me in a few months…it has only been a week!

Did you watch the Golden Globe Awards? 
No.  

What was your personal reaction to the solidarity among so many diverse women with a common message?
 The voices of the thousands of strong women and men are collectively inspiring change that is so long overdue. This is the catalyst for a social movement that must impact every workplace and channel the outrage into legal, behavioral, and organizational transformation.




How has this award impacted your business?  Increased inquiries, increased orders, increased requests to connect?
Ask me in the future, it has only been a week!

Many who achieve greatness turn around and forage into public life.  Would you ever consider going into public service (aka politics)?
No. Never. I have great admiration for people who run for public office. Choosing that path takes a special kind of courage. It is so important that organizations like Equal Voice are supported; they are dedicated to electing more women to every level of political office in our country.  

In today's competitive environment, what do you think is the biggest challenge? 
The world in 2018, politically and economically, is uncertain and precarious. However, voices that have been silenced for too long are being heard. Voices from the “Me Too” movement, the MMIW Inquiry, and human trafficking. These are the catalysts for a societal sea of change.

What is your biggest challenge you face for 2018?
Finding the time to do everything I want to do, to not waste a minute, and to consistently shoot in the 80s in golf!



Predictions for 2018?  
I am not that prescient or confident that I can provide sage advice based on a prediction. Rather I believe in taking informed risks, leaving room for serendipity, and a little bit of luck. My brother often uses that saying: “funny thing about luck…the harder I work, the luckier I get”   

In the next five years I would like to see … happen? 
Forty years ago, we were talking about equality, love, diversity, respect, and peace. In so many ways we have moved forward; and in so many ways we have not progressed at all. The songs of protest and the songs of love of that era are as relevant today as they were then. The solutions do not lie in anger and hatred but in redefining the smallest of day-to-day actions and the largest of political and economic actions to achieve societal solutions. 

What do you want to be remembered for?
Many years ago, when I was in my 20s and was promoted into my first management role, a woman who was retiring imparted some sage advice. She said “There are very few women in these positions and you will be watched closely. But remember that at the end of the day, and that day comes for all of us, no one will remember your accomplishments. They will only remember how you made them feel in your presence”. Words to live by.


BIO:

Dr. Marie Delorme is CEO of The Imagination Group of Companies. She chairs the Chiniki Trico Board, is past chair of the RCMP Foundation Board, and serves on the River Cree Enterprises Board, the National Indigenous Economic Development Board, and The Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking. She is also an adviser for the Coady International Institute, the Canadian Police College, Pathways to Education, and Save the Children Canada.

Dr. Delorme is a Member of the Order of Canada. She has received the Indspire Award in Business and Commerce; and was named as one of Canada’s 100 Most Powerful Women. Other awards include: the University of Calgary Dr. Douglas Cardinal Award; Alberta Chamber of Commerce Business Award of Distinction; Calgary Chamber of Commerce Salute to Excellence Award, and Métis Nation Entrepreneurial Leadership Award.

Dr. Delorme holds a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Business Administration from Queen's University, and PhD from the University of Calgary. Her research focuses on inter-cultural leadership.

The Imagination Group is an Indigenous corporation comprised of four organizations. Imagination, The Aboriginal Gifting Company is a nationally recognized brand in the promotional products and gifting industry; and is also a manufacturer of ceremonial tobacco. For 17 years Imagination has provided brand management services to industry, governments, and indigenous groups. Imagination Franchising and Authentically Aboriginal are complementary organizations, the latter being a not-for-profit entity. Imagination Consulting specializes in guiding organizations to operate more efficiently and profitably; focusing on value creation and offering clients a unique understanding of the spectrum of challenges that business leaders face – from long range planning to critical day-to-day business issues. The Imagination Group engages with clients in a thorough analysis of business operations and issues and the development of plans to address gaps and implement improvements. The Imagination Group consulting practice brings over 40 years of specialized business experience to our clients.

FACEBOOK:  https://www.facebook.com/nationimagination/
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To celebrate Dr. Delorme's accomplishment, donations may be extended to her charities of choice:



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(photo credit-Phillip Chin)





Thursday, September 14, 2017

Sound your battle cry

Most people would say that they would rather have their eyeballs poked than to meet with a salesperson.

Said nobody.
Not unlikely most people can think of dozens of excuses they could come up with to avoid a meeting with a salesperson.  There is no statistical reference, but the message conveys strong logic.

Bullying supreme.
If far more rampant in the workplace than any other place in the world.  Hidden.  Forgotten.  Ignored.

An acceptable temperament 
of a drill Sargent who scares people, not garnish loyalty.  Ones who decay a corporate pride to an emblem tarnished by the dismal noise from its exuberant military dictatorial culture.  

One guy's blunder causes a debate
One which should not have been needed to be educated on the error of his data.


I will endeavor to do so.


Saturday, April 15, 2017

Are you REALLY linking in?

With deep regret+utter transparency
I am self-tasked to exposing executives who have an army in front of them, answering their emails, linked in messages, and anything else they find favorable.  

Face of the corporation
As an executive, you are the face to which others, mostly all, associate your name as a brand within the corporation.  Yet so many executives are dilusional to think that it won't catch up with them.  I say a LOT sooner than later!

The tides are turning
in the world of employment and recruitment.  Those measly applicants that you invited to apply, beat them up persevering through the MAZE (not amaze) of the CAREER section of most websites.

After you playing pinball?
Who has convinced the person on the other end that you dodged pinball bounces without falling into the deep dark black hole.  

You are paying for nothing
these days because you can't demonstrate value to joining your organization.  A confident prospective professional within range of your company has gracefully navigated your site well enough to get past the red stars * you keep forgetting or actually are deciding whether that is the sort of information you want to impart until there are some serious indication that a job offer is in the immediate mix.

What are u doing to sell ur company?
Should be the thing you ask all of your executives and board members at your next meeting.  In fact, it should be prioritized and then teams formed to leave for a week to come back with intelligence and insights to support their argument that everyone and every person is selling their companies 24x7/365 of the year.  

Do not allow executives to hide
behind their own personal brand, to be esteemed, somewhat feared, but powerful none the same.   Common denominator being internal fame and little public refrain. I know how the system works because I've emailed an executive for the past three years.  I would say that actually is two executives that are at the highest chain of command within unsaid organization.

Response is reflective
to the arrogant, egotistical side step.  I must importantly convey that yes every email is personally read, even if not by the person to which it was directed.  So many executives find this an excellent coping mechanism.

Bernie Sanders kind
Here in our midst, in Calgary, in Canada is a Bernie Sanders of our own.  What's that you ask?  Well, swap politician with businessman, to get the real drift of the message written here.

Only one of the executives whom I write a brief (and sometimes long) message to has ever responded, written back, and had a message-conversation of only a few.  This gentleman answers every single email personally, with humor, anecdotal.

I will share a few, without revealing the names or company to which they are aligned with.  I will also share whether there is a response and how it was handled.


 Congrats on FINALLY being offered a position worthy of you, Mr_.  You kinda got a bum rap at ur previous GIG.  Now, you may be victorious!  Thank you for keeping me on your connected list.  I hope u notice how I will reshare on LINKED IN any news with ur name on it ::... which i normally reserve for the CEO of Salesforce.com fame.    He and I connected almost immediately when we hitched a ride to LINKED IN back in 2010.   I enjoy the opportunity to read the going on of some various wellknown business leaders in Canada and abroad.  I am just launching a website called:  www.graFX.online < still under construction until my vision is aligned in an execution-able fashion.  This unnamed company will get the first right of refusal on advertising allotment, after that we will see.  I won't allow competing brands on my page at the same time.  The brands have to meet my criteria::... innovative, open to change, leading edge in technology, especially MOBILITY with a dynamic, positive, healthy culture [ marketing literature aside ] and women have half a better chance in moving up the corporate ladder than other places.  

A cultural fit
Examine the culture before you go work anywhere.  Where I currently work had almost all of the checks in my boxes to agree to go work, some would consider under-employed, I like to think of as a new beginning.

That has gone on far too long
for any sane person.  Yet here is the magic.  I demonstrate tenacity and sticking to my commitments.  I won't dwell on the past where my loyalty was skathed and bruised confidence hang out.

A hang out for disbelievers?
Or a place for optimistic comradely and support to stay connected.  Cheering each other on when you see someone heading to the finish line:  fame, wealth comes second to the thrill of finding something that people will love.

A legacy we must not forget
fading Steve Jobs back into the backdrop of historical proportions.  Where his greatest arch-rival still maintains.


Objet d'art (plural objets d'art) means literally "art object", or work of art, in French, but in practice the term has long been reserved in English to describe works of art that are not paintings, large or medium-sized sculptures, prints or drawings. It therefore covers a wide range of works, usually small and three-dimensional, of high quality and finish in areas of the decorative arts, such as metalwork items, with or without enamel, small carvings, statuettes and plaquettes in any material, including engraved gemshardstone carvingsivory carvings including Japanese netsuke and similar items, non-utilitarian porcelain and glass, and a vast range of objects that would also be classed as antiques (or indeed antiquities), such as small clocks, watches, gold boxes, and sometimes textiles, especially tapestries. Books with fine bookbindings might be included.

An objet de vertu by excellence, Fabergé's "Memory of Azov Egg" (1891), contains a ship model wrought of gold.

A Swiss singing bird box with a bucolic lake scene on the lid, c. 1825, another example of an objet de vertu.
The term is somewhat flexible, and is often used as a broad term for "everything else" after major categories have been dealt with. 

Objets d'art 
Creating aesthetically beautiful objects, words, art, songs, melody, photography with innovation and zest.  Those are the best leaders because they want perfection.  They've been knocked around a few times, but they bounce back stronger.

How many can you think of 
who has had that?  You know I mean Steve Jobs, I've mentioned Barrack Obama before.  Who is really leading the spirit of the social media?  Facebook or Twitter may think they've gotten "IT" while instaGRAM or snapCHAT or PINterest display it can channel and expand the audience.  

Besides the where-with-all
who is really leading the charge?  Google and newly formed Alpabet?  Again, I challenge you to think beyond that.  Those are companies all aforementioned.  

I'm talking about personal BRAND
that has not been sold to the highest bidder ...... yet.

I message to executives in the spring of 2017:
pay attention to your culture, examine it objectively, challenge who is selling your brand.  Setting advertising agencies and pre-set social media placement aside.  

Who IS selling your brand?
Get rid of the CEOs and boards who collect a paycheque and run the accounting side of your business or investments.  They are the short run wagons to hitch a ride on.  The enduring, innovative, revolutionary companies in history had a leader and company overlapping by brand.

Hire the writers and the imagineers
who can see the future clearly, not clogged with BS and YES-men (and ever-growing, but still far behind, number of women)?  

Fire the ad agencies
who are merely graphic design studios.  Nothing like the "Mad Men" era so well depicted in one of my favorite docu-drama series of all time for me.  

Ogilvy on advertising 
is a worthy read.  It should be a mainstay in any creative agency or entrepreneur.  His extraordinary vision is like a bible to how to behave online and get sophisticated, academic, creative followers is a mighty key.

Story telling
was clearly the backbone to Ogilvy's approach.  How isn't that phenomenal when you think of the brands that are winning because of how they act online?  Whether by video or posted words.  Tells the story.

The exchange with others
is a one-sided currency ... except where in one instance a time I was online [ Wednesday ] with full force and paying attention,  I witnessed a customer with a REALLY big following on Twitter tweet his dissatisfaction with his customer experience for their technology.

Ability to respond
Is your company equipped to respond?
You have to be honest here.  Start from the very top and then cascade down the line.  

Whoever professes ignorance
are likely your board of directors, of the Baby Boomer age  [ born from 1959 to 1945 times ] where spark is of the very limited kind.  Who has last had an idea that sat where your company is run?

Whoever professes participation
can fan-dangle and confuse you with so much techno garbage and marketing slogan-ish barbs.  They are no more online than your top dog CEO.  Some have presence to be sure.  Mostly on things not deemed indicative of your brand [ for example, pornography, mean words, falsehoods, sarcasm ]

Operated by robots
who send out your endorsed words ::... usually a campaign, that really is advertising.  This is where the gifted online rise above.  They can smell a scam or a spam, cloaked in sophisticated disguise.  

Whereas the responses
are automatic.  As though they've been keyed in by a computer after a roundtable of committee members compose or decide which will be exposed online.  [NOTE: if you ever want a NONdecision, get a group together and call them a committee or an association].

Ego can collide
with the noise online.  People with much greater value, wisdom and words emerge and rise to the top.  Not the brands with their tricks and paid dollars to drive revenue or traffic to websites to justify their existence.

Merely hanging on with a bandaid
will be those who will be faced if they don't wake up and pay attention to the ability to CONVERSE online with your customers, your supporters, your buyers, your vendors, your fans while being made aware of your detractors, competition or negative vibe generators.

Make sure everyone is telling a story
even if it isn't your story.  In fact, that would be better.  Share stories of employees who reached out to connect online with an idea to help others that generated a response and churned the wheels of progress and communication farther.

Hang up the old standards
and start creating a culture that adapts to the ever-changing world.  Ensure your technology is robust enough to withstand cyber attacks.  

Hire wikileaks as your defender
of all that is true and exemplary.  Less would be exposed, embarrassed and sink off into the moonlight as the werewolves of change howl.

I'd love to sell wikileaks.com services
Can you just imagine?  A brand name that anyone who is everyone can ignore any longer.  One of the easiest criteria to determine who to sell for.  If you have made it past the excruciatingly painful online "SUBMIT" on the CAREER portal, you have proven that you are worthy to work there wouldn't you think?  Fear not, that application sits behind technology.  It picks out key words in the resume that it has hyperboiled into identifiable words that in all its theory can expose.  

Missing key ingredients like instinct
judgement and overall presentation.  How can you hire someone so poised and seemingly perfect who has constantly garlic breath and something green stuck in his or her teeth?  

A computer taught to think still lacks instinct and human judgement that can unfortunately be pre-determined by bias or self-centered view, yet can also see smiles, sense warmth, sincerity  clearly shine.   Yet today's forward thinking companies are falling behind in the times.  

Becoming more robot
and run by a gaggle of gearheads or geeks [ of the destructive kind like hackers, exhibitionists to namely only two ].  The silliness that it needs to be cautioned against may seem almost alarmist by some.

Where complacency rests
on the shoulders of nuts, bolts, power, fingers, minds is sadly what is happening.  They've climb the heap of others, even stepping on a few to get there.  These are the people who are behind your company's words?  The popular or populist ones.

Maybe they are more expensive
in the thousands an idea and more when delivered on time, if on time.  To ignore the ability to resound your message and create a positive vibe is an opportunity so many companies are missing.

Remember, I said it starts at the top?
Proof is not hidden, nor under a disguise.  That to which Trump earns my respect for his wisdom of speaking online.  For himself, by himself.  Rather than the pocket of a few others, the rest allowing a technology or stranger to convey what is on your mind?

How is that possible?
I can tell you how.  They're ignorant of the influence they have online, denying the potential to have every single employee, customer communicate and interact online.  Where are the skilled manifestos of intellectual power your boast you have?  Hidden and trampled on by your sickness going misdiagnosed.  Inspected or neglected?  Either cause harm.

Your employees' valuable time
is important and you should concede or acknowledge that.  Their ideas more rich and fruitful than anyone trying to tell you what you want to hear.  They are impassioned by the believers and loyalists lost in your midst.  A true voice for your company.

If you can, seek and find
the RT on Twitter from 48 hours ago where I exclaimed over an exchange between a customer and his support service solving a problem, together, in real time, online.  No waiting line or number queue.  Immediate, solution nailed and resolution intact.  Not to mention the proof of your culture not as clearly defined as shown, demonstrated and acted on.  

Not by hey-sayers nor digital players
who are usually of the very young mind.  No experience or wisdom to fall upon, just speed in clickness and keen savviness they climbed over the backs of the many who built things, helped build the company.  Besides the gold pin for 5 years or platinum for 10, retirement parties have become instinct.  Those were the best networking environments of my career.  If you were well enough liked or respected, you would be invited to a retirement party, a fond adieu by many as they blend into the twilight of years, traveling, not working, painting, writing.


If you read enough news
you can almost start to believe it.  
When you choose the news you want 
it is much easier to follow it.

~ Jeannette Marshall




Jeannette Marshall sent the following message at 12:48 PM
  • Congrats on the new job! What will u be doing now M? Is this something one can do online? I currently work in Loyalty & Retention at a call center at one of Canada's largest _____corporation. If I can leave by Tuesday at the same $25/hr with home office I'd be deliriously happy!  It would allow me to continue my passion online.



Sunday, April 2, 2017

Leadership politics or vision?

Environment politics vision



Two opposing forces
Perhaps it is politicians out of touch with what the people want?  I am starting to think that the difference between good or mediocre politicians and great leaders is their intuitive touch with their public and constituents.

Trump and Obama
Are two complete opposites with some common ground that nobody could disagree with:
  • love of family
  • love of country
  • integrity of words
  • charisma
  • showmanship
  • leadership
  • commitment to commitments

Yet two areas they are on opposing views as the north is to the south, east to the west, on their vision for North America.

Whereas Obama's dedication to the environment may be his greatest legacy.  He also had commitment to the safety of people.  Recognizing through his real life experience, that anyone, regardless of genetics, history, paternity, color, race or beliefs, can grow and learn.  Stretch and reach his goals of leading what was once the most powerful nation in the world, to grab the baton of legends like Roosevelt, Kennedy, Lincoln or Washington were born.  Men of courage facing almost insurmountable odds, are reveled by history to which today's children and generations before or after to be learned from.

The commonality among the weakest links are not any less embarrassing for its citizens when it hits them hard, in their pride, love of country, and tenacity to carry on, despite everything.  Those are things that resonate with me when I think of the United States of America.

I wrote about them imploding back a few years ago.  I didn't really comment editorial on goings on in the world, but I have a few times.  Prophecy or deep understanding with perception on how to bundle the facts into predictions or road being traveled.  

My husband and I had this very hearty debate not twenty minutes ago.  These really cool discussions burst out of the folds of our daily living where one of us makes a comment on the state of the world based on current events.   In those brief five minutes, we nourished each out and boosted our viewpoints because we could defend our point of view in the safety of our appreciation and respect for each other.

Both Trump and Obama
clearly demonstrate love and devotion to their families, their wives, their children, their friends. Certainly how they differ on how conjoined the two are between family and office. What is a more obvious distinction is how it is made up.

Obama's love of wife and daughters 
is crystal clear.  His vision and direction were defined by leaving the world a better place for his daughters and the world.  He went after safety with his heart on his sleeve.  You cannot doubt his deep reflection on the devastation guns have self-inflicted among their midst.  Such a contrary to the view that the world perceives them to have:

That they are the world referee, where countries like Canada and England mere peacekeepers when violence erupts.  Upholding the rights of humanity and defending basic human rights by giving out riches in the form of monetary relief, protection, feeding the poor and saving the health of others before themselves.
"Your positiveness is like a beacon toward others, inspiring optimism and faith."
             
                        ~ Jeannette Marshall 

That is another distinct difference between Trump and Obama.  Their approaches are so different.  Obama's legendary empathy was trying to remove nuclear threat in areas that are war torn, corrupt or falling apart.  Obama zeroed in on the most foreseeable threats, and I'm guessing here .....

  • The greatest singular figure posing a threat to the United States, North America and the UN was Bin laden.  As Bin Laden faded into the background, martyrdom growing as his survival held on.  Leading the fearful example that you can get away with murder and be acclaimed and praised for it.  The need to snuff it out clear.
  • Corruption in the financial nucleus of American financiers was rampant.  Made worse by his powerless capability to inflict any change.  Handcuffed by the political system 

Critical attention 
on the environment versus it being a hoax seems apparent differences between Trump and Obama.  Completely opposing views.  The American citizens clearly confused between who is right, who is wrong, or is anybody right?

Health of the country views
communicated at odds.  Where one says that if you believe, you can accomplish and the other says the country is at the brink of disruption.

Health is a necessity
they both agree.  The journey or road map differing completely.  Causing instability and fear to the ill and the elderly and the poor.  Faith in its country ever brightly filled with optimism that the democracy alone can alleviate their concerns.

Self-destructive causes
appear differently in each others' eyes.  One sees the right to everyone to belong while the other sees it as being a privilege and not a right to live among the community it seeks to destruct.

Our home and native land
even has uncertainty clouding our core.  The questions one must ask is whether we are on a road of redemption and worthiness?  

Is the direction of our politics
in our eyes the vision we want for our future and children?   If it isn't, are we facing the right direction and making the changes needed to survive and flourish?



What comes first? Safety?Security?Air?
Is the debate we hear resonating among everyone:  the politicians, the media, our own voices.  What is our greatest risk immediately is what panic makes us ponder.  Our pocket books, our safety, or ability to breath for generations, not merely years to come?

There lies the difference
Who can make the strongest case in what should be the main focus today will be the winner.  If the lowly citizen is left to deal with the consequences, will it spell optimism, inspiration, activation and execution.

Promise made, promise delivered
Execution is being able to deliver on promises shaped by plans and steps taken.  When the promises are glowing brightly like a beacon as a lighthouse is for lost ships.