We may well wake up to a new world on November 8th 2006. But what will really change? Principled leadership seem to have disappeared from the political, social and business worlds, and its not clear that the Democratic Party has articulated its values in such a way as to reclaim the high ground. An exchange with my colleague Dr. John Brady of Brady & Associates prompted me to revisit some old work I did on principled leadership.
He said, "There are three things you can be sure of:
1. Things change
2. Knowledge (technology) accelerates
3. Principles remain the same"
Some ancient principles from the Bodhisattva tradition of Buddhism may provide a starting point for articulating and implementing a 'values-driven' approach to dealing with the difficult issues of governing such a fractured and polarized nation.
If/when the Democrats regain the majority in both houses this November, they'll be faced with challenges both politically and personally as the party-in-power. Since the manner of governing includes both a 'hard' side, the structure and procedural rules of each body, and a 'soft' side, the relationships and behaviors of individual members with one another, a principled approach to leadership would help to guide them away from the power mongering that has characterized the Republican approach to `governing' since they took over the House and Senate, not to mention the `Presidency' if you can call Bush's reign of terror that.
My belief is that a strong, central core of values is necessary for any group to maintain its integrity, especially in the dicey world of politics where money and power conspire to seduce. I'm not suggesting that there is a lock-step program or mantra that is required, but that there are general, useful and powerful guidelines that can guide individual members and the party itself, as they go about doing what should be 'the people's business".
We should expect wisdom from our leaders, and we should be able to trust that their beliefs and behaviors are congruent with a set of principles we can all identify as useful and meaningful leadership guidelines.
Here is my version of the six Bodhisattva Principles for Leaders. They apply to us all.
Generosity An open and willing approach to dealing with others through, dialogue, sharing of ideas, and by being 'of service' to one's constituents and country. Operates from the point of view that by giving ourselves, we encourage others to do the same, creating a sense of commitment to something larger and more meaningful than mere power can.
Ethics Best embodied by the word integrity, and by a commitment to bringing the truth to light in any situation regardless of the 'fallout' it may engender. Accountability is at the heart of ethical behavior. We must demand that our leaders demonstrate integrity through congruency in word and deed, and that policies and processes are designed for maximum transparency.
Patience An understanding that individuals, groups and systems are not perfect, and that most decisions are better when 'slow-cooked'. It allows for failure, providing that the lessons learned are implemented. There is a balanced and deliberative quality to patience that we should expect from hose whom we've trusted to govern.
Energy Selfless service requires commitment to those whose interests, aspirations and well-being the leader has been entrusted with. Effort and energy are the engines of action. When coupled with a patient and ethical approach, the results are always better. Knowing when and how to exert influence, use power, or persuade
mark the wise use of energy in service of a meaningful goal.
Reflection Self reflection is the key to wisdom. Without it, we learn nothing and are doomed to repeat patterns blindly. Leaders and parties must ask themselves on a regular basis, "What do I stand for? How are my beliefs and behaviors affecting my results? What more can I do to be a better, more effective, wiser leader?" If these questions are not asked, if the internal and inter-personal dialogue does not occur,
we're likely to get more of what we've always gotten and said we didn't want.
Wisdom Wisdom is marked by each of the above principles balanced and aligned within the individual, group, or system. It is not a static 'there' that the leader attains, but rather is a process of applying the principles in the service of creating the policies and laws that govern our actions individually and collectively, among the community of nations with whom we share the planet. Its most important trait is humility and its greatest enemy is ideology. Eliot says it best toward the end of East Coker,
......"Do not let me hear
Of the wisdom of old men, but rather of their folly,
Their fear of fear and frenzy, their fear of possession,
Of belonging to another, or to others, or to God.
The only wisdom we can hope to acquire
Is the wisdom of humility: humility is endless."
The devil, of course, is always in the details. Yet these principles can supply a framework, a backbone, if you will, upon which we can hang the body of work we must begin if this country is to regain and maintain its position as a leader politically, economically, environmentally and socially.
There is so much at stake. We should do it right.