15 Axioms

Sometimes our axioms end up joining forces to make us “eat our own dog food”.

A core thought of this blog as well as my own Axioms is the idea that we should embrace the concept that we must be learning continuously if we wish to stay productive and competitive in the world of leadership and work.

Last Fall in the spirit of Leaving My Comfort Zone AND learning, I took an online college course at a local community college. Not a big deal for you maybe, but for me, way out of the comfort zone!!!

It’s been years since I engaged in a structured learning environment where I would be so clearly and quantifiably measured. A grade – a real grade.

Lots of old fears, angst and almost humorous behaviors appeared. (remember, Don’t Take Yourself  Too Seriously).

The result, excellent, fun, and yes, still uncomfortable.

Will I do it again – absolutely!!

How ’bout you? How often do you consciously think about real learning – deep development of either knowledge, insight, or skills at this point in you life?

In continuing thoughts about dual-mindedness I noticed about a month ago the queen of England visited the Republic of Ireland, a gesture of dual-mindedness on her part and that of the Republic’s President Mary McAleese, in my opinion.

Now I must admit that this had some historical context and impact for me personally as I grew up in an Irish-American family with historic alliance to the IRA, anti-British sentiments, and sympathies to people like Bobby Sands.

I think these two leaders brought the concept of dual-mindedness to bear in moving to the future while honoring the past. They were/are placed between opposing ideas, forces, and emotions. They put aside the opportunity for self-promotion, the temptation to bend to past voices of their constituents, and reached to an uncertain outcome, that each must have believed will be for the betterment of those they lead.

It had, or even may still have, risk.

Yet, they went ahead. Their actions were largely symbolic, but it both honored the validity of past adversaries actions or ideas, without degrading the validity of their own past and context.

Dual-mindedness. A characteristic of forward looking leadership. Would you agree?

Chapter II

Please see my previous post which lays the foundation for the concept of dual-mindedness. My definition describes the ability to hold conflicting ideas in your mind simultaneously, seeing the validity in each. Then, with as complete a picture you have, you make prudent decisions, not based on compromise, but on principles. Here’s chapter II:

Joe and Alison (yup, names changed to protect…)

Sometime ago, I was in a meeting where Joe was presenting the values of a book which a group of us had read to explore the ideas of self awareness, choice, and leadership. For Joe, the book was more than an assignment, it was personally and culturally a part of who he was, and because of that, the ideas of the author were not only relevant, but also emotional and deeply moving for him.

As he discussed this book, Alison began to ask questions which I’d say were supportive, even  validating for Joe. She opened up his experience with the book even more, and her questions clearly helped him present his points well.  She took an interest in Joe, why this subject was so important to him and what he intended to do with the experience in the future from the knowledge or understanding he’d gain from it all.

“The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function”

F. Scott Fitzgerld (thanks Jeff)

I knew a little bit of how Ali thought, her life experiences and ideology. Later that day when we were alone, I asked her: Ali, did you read that book? Paraphrasing her answer she said: “I wouldn’t read that junk on the threat of my life.”

Was Alison being a phony? Gaming Jim?

At first I wasn’t sure. Over the following months I had opportunity to watch the interaction of Ali and Joe, and it was clear that a rapport of respect, understanding, and learning had developed between them.

Ali was practicing dual-mindedness. She separated her ideas (ideology) from the person (Joe). She accepted him, his thoughts and ideas, even exploring them- and while it  didn’t change her mind, she learned and gained a friend in the process.

Dual-mindedness in action that created gain, avoided valueless conflict, and edified multiple lives. At least 3– Joe’s, Alison’s , and mine.

It says a lot about simply accepting the validity of the other person don’t you think?