Leadership Notes -- Thoughts on Leading People and Making a Difference in Organizations

Word count this issue: 356

Estimated reading time:   2:15 minutes

Good morning from an overcast Vancouver. I’m excited my research for my forthcoming book, 5 Thrives for the Digital Revolution https://www.facebook.com/5thrives?fref=ts. In the midst of my research I found that  was neither a techno-pessimist, nor a techno-optimist; I do not see human kind going the way of the Terminator series of movies, nor do I see technology as bringing about peace and good will towards all humankind, as in the Star Trek series. I do see that if we are not conscious of the opportunities and risks in our use of technology the Terminator future is possible. More importantly though, if we are not self conscious, that is aware of who we are individually and collectively, then the Terminator future is very likely.

Being self-aware has always been the deep goal of maturity and praxis in philosophy, psychology, and spiritual development. Socrates, (470 - 399 BCE) is credited with the comment, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Carl Jung (1875 - 1961) said, “Your visions will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” The apocryphal Gospel of Thomas quotes Jesus of Nazareth, “If you bring forth what is within you, what you bring forth will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what you do not bring forth will destroy you.” I wonder though that at this point in time, it is absolutely vital for us as a species that more and more of us, especially as leaders, become that much more self aware. Aware of our own strengths and limitations, aware of our gifts, and aware of our deepest fears. 

We are at the edge of a new age. Who we are in the next 10 years will have a profound effect on who our children and grandchildren will be. Now more than ever. I’m curious what are the tools you use to find out more about yourself?