The Masterpiece

Monday, 28. April 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

The east side of the Carrizo plain, in the Temblor Range, about 50 miles west of Bakersfield, CA.
Photo taken by Barbara Mathews - May 14, 2005

**Man’s handiwork will never equal the glory of God’s creation.

Less Can Lead To More

Sunday, 20. April 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

Sometimes the key to growth is to first let go.  Robert Cooper, PhD provides a tool which a person can use to help decide what they first need to let go of – to enable them to reach for something better/more.

Contemplate the following statement:

To ________________ more, _______________ less.

For example:
• To climb more, carry less.
• The hear more, talk less.
• To succeed more, assume less.
• To create more, resist less.
• To love more, compete less.
• To workout more, sleep in less.
• To laugh more, analyze less.
• To accomplish more, doubt less.

** What do you need to do less – in order to do more, or better?

The 4 Quadrants of Leadership/Organizational Wholeness…

Sunday, 23. March 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

HEAD QUADRANT:
It is with our head that we think, decide, see, and speak. Therefore, the "Head" quadrant has to do with the strategic aspects of an organization. This quadrant pertains to issues such as: executive leadership; strategic planning; policies; politics; structure; knowledge management; and so on. The symbolic person, or “archetype,” best associated with the Head quadrant is the “King” who exercises overall leadership and sets/enforces policies, standards, and organizational structures.

HANDS QUADRANT:
With our Hands we do physical work, take hold of things, touch our environment, and make signals to others. Therefore, the “Hands” quadrant has to do with the operational functions of an organization, such as: operations and operational systems; organizational capabilities and human resources; funds development and resourcing; strategic metrics to monitor progress; performance management; and project management. The symbolic person best associated with the Hands quadrant is the "Warrior" who drives forward with confident strength and competence to achieve objectives.

HEART QUADRANT:
It is with our Heart that we care for others (and ourselves), build people up, and join around common values. Therefore, the "Heart" quadrant has to do with the nurturing, relational and development forms of the organization such as: nurturing relationships and community; training and education; leadership development; mentoring; networking; teamwork and team development; and, spiritual formation. The symbolic person best associated with the Heart quadrant is the "Lover" who cares deeply for people and for their development and well-being.

HEROIC QUADRANT:
Our Heroic nature reaches out to the transformational aspects of the organization. This quadrant pertains to aspects such as: mission and deep purpose; vision for the future; heroic action and courageous goals; the deep stories, myths, and symbols that establish our identity; organizational culture; and new ways of thinking and working (innovation). The symbolic person associated with the Heroic quadrant is the "Prophet" who catalyzes deep change and transformation through a powerful sense of purpose and meaning.

** The FOUR QUADRANTS and PERFORMANCE:

Note it is mostly in the Lower 2 Quadrants – the Heart and Heroic Quadrants – where people get refreshed, strengthened, inspired and energized. The Lower Quadrants have to do with what motivates and builds people up, whereas the Upper 2 Quadrants have to do with the ability and systems to get things done. When Ability and Motivation are effectively combined, then you get Powerful Performance. Hence, the formula: Ability x Motivation = Performance

** As represented by these 4 Quadrants, healthy organizations (and teams) pursue a balanced set of individuals & initiatives which support both “wholeness” AND “effectiveness.”

(Model developed by my good friend Greg Boyer, PhD)

Happy Easter Everyone!

Friday, 21. March 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

A great video clip for this Easter Season:

Press Here…

Purpose – The Game of Champions

Tuesday, 18. March 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

There are at least five key benefits of clarifying, and then living out one’s Purpose - or Calling in life:

1) Discovering your purpose gives deeper meaning to life. We were all created to live out a unique and meaningful purpose – and knowing that purpose will enable/empower you to bear with almost anything life throws your way.  Hellen Keller wrote, “Many people have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”

2) A well-defined purpose simplifies life.  A well-defined purpose becomes the standard to evaluate which activities are essential and which are not - by asking, “Will this activity help fulfill my purposes in life?”  A worthy purpose simplifies.

Without a clear purpose, you have no foundation on which to base decisions, allocate your time, and use your resources.  Instead, you will tend to make choices based on circumstances, pressures, and/or your mood at that moment.

3) A meaningful purpose provides focus.  It is human nature to get distracted by trivial issues.  If you want your life to have impact, focus it on your unique Calling – and never confuse mere “activity” with productivity.  You can be very busy, yet still aimlessly wonder through your day, week, and life.  A clear purpose will concentrate your effort and energy on that which is most important.

In addition, without a defined purpose, you will be temped to keep changing direction/jobs/relationships/churches, or other circumstances – hoping the next change will help find the meaning your life seems to lack. 

4) Knowing your purpose motivates.  Purpose produces passion, for nothing energizes an individual like a clear purpose.  On the other hand, passion will dissipate when one is uncertain…  It is usually meaningless work - not overwork - that wears us down, saps our strength, and robs our joy.  George Bernard Shaw wrote, “This is the true joy of life: the being used up for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one.”

5) Your purpose will help define your lasting legacy.  Many people spend their lives trying to create a lasting legacy.  Living out your God given purpose will greatly shape what your lasting legacy will be.  Choose your legacy by living out your unique Calling.

** So how can does one define their Calling/Purpose in life?

For at start, take a couple of hours and go off to some beach, park, or quiet corner restaurant booth and dig deep into your heart and write down your thoughts to the following questions:
• When am I most naturally myself? What people, places, and activities allow me to feel most fully myself?
• What is my greatest talent?  What have I always been good at doing?
• What do I love to do?  How can I get paid for doing what I love to do?
• Who are my most inspiring role models? Why is this so?
• How do I enjoy being of service to others?
• What is my heart’s deepest desire?
• What needs do I care about the most?
• What makes me feel most fulfilled?
• What have I felt called to do?
• What legacy would I like to leave?

** Some thoughts above borrowed from “The Purpose Driven Life” by Rick Warren.

Searching For The Next Leader.

Monday, 10. March 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

When it is time to search for the next leader, the following traits will help you spot leadership potential in an individual:

1. Does the person offer a constructive spirit of discontent? There is a big difference between constructive discontent and a critical spirit. If somebody says, "There's got to be a better way to do this." - I check to see if there is leadership potential by asking, "Have you thought about what that better way might be?" If the person does not have ideas - he is only being critical, not constructive. But if the person does have ideas - then they may have a constructive spirit of discontent. This is a trait found in good leaders - for people locked in the status quo can not lead others into the future.

2. Do they offer practical ideas? Highly original people are often not good leaders because they are unable to judge if their creative ideas are realistic – many times they are unable to distance themselves and discern if their idea will work, or won’t. Not everybody with creative ideas is a potential leader - leaders are able to identify which ideas are practical, and which are not.

3. Is anybody listening? Potential leaders have an "EF Hutton" quality about them. When they speak, people listen. When some people talk, nobody listens – yet others tend to draw a crowd. Take notice of an individual who naturally attracts the ear of others. These people have influence.

4. Do people respect them? Peer respect doesn't reveal leadership ability, but it can show character and personality. Maxey Jarmen said, "It is not important that people like you. But what is important is that they respect you. If they just like you, they still may not follow you. If they respect you, they'll follow you, even if they don't happen to like you."

5. Are they open to receive critical feedback? Potential leaders know that they (and their personal opinions) have blind spots. Even veteran leaders never see the entire picture accurately – thus they embrace feedback and the perspectives of others. They are coachable.

6. Do they maintain a learning posture? Potential leaders reflect an inherent posture for learning. In a world of constant change - are they intimidated by this change, or do they embrace it with a learning and discerning posture?

7. Do they get things done? Has this person shown the ability to see a task to completion?

** There are other traits found in emerging leaders - but these mark some major indicators…

The Other 90%

Tuesday, 26. February 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

Research has shown we tend to use 10-20% of our brain power… so what about the other 80-90%?  Much of this unused brain power resides in capacity of our subconscious mind.  ** So what makes up the “subconscious” mind – and how can it be effectively used?

The Conscious Mind:
The conscious mind is where our logical and rational thinking takes place.  This is the area of our brain that chooses whether to buy a television with a 50” screen or a 65” screen, and is the part of our mind that remembers (or forgets) your spouse’s birthday.  The conscious mind is where our moment-by-moment decisions are made throughout the day.

The Subconscious Mind:
The subconscious is where our instinctive, intuitive, wisdom, and values based “reactions” spring from. Our subconscious forever stores our values, beliefs, and experiences which are later used to influence and guide the decisions made the conscious part of our mind (though it’s influence often goes unnoticed.)  

In addition, the subconscious mind operates many of the ongoing functions of our body – like our heartbeat, digestive system, growth and repair of our bodies, and so on.  Our conscious mind does not pay much attention to these activities because they are all naturally regulated by the inner resource of our subconscious mind.

** But one critical characteristic of the subconscious is that it also serves as an intense “goal-seeking” machine.  The subconscious will strive to attain any goal or command given to it by the “conscious” part of our mind.  In this way, our subconscious mind is very “programmable,” for once it has been assigned a goal, or task to complete, it will work day and night behind the scenes to make that goal a reality.

I live in central Illinois, where some of the richest soil in the United States is located.  During the planting season each spring, farmers can be seen working late into the night planting seed in the fertile black soil.  And each fall, it is amazing how the rich Illinois soil produces a generous and bountiful crop. 

Our subconscious is very much like the black soil in which these farmers plant their seeds each spring.  As with soil, the subconscious readily accepts whatever seeds are planted into it – whether good or bad.  Just as the rich soil in central Illinois will accept seeds of corn as readily as the seeds of poison ivy, so will the subconscious readily accept what is planted into it, whether good or bad – for our subconscious mind does not have the power to reject what is sent to it by the conscious mind.  If your conscious mind allows, the subconscious mind will embrace destructive beliefs, thoughts, and goals just as readily as positive ones.  And whatever is planted in your sub-conscious will produce fruit.

One of the Universal Laws which govern creation is “whatever a person plants, so shall they reap” (Galatians 6:7) - whether it be seeds in the soil, or thoughts in the mind.  As this Law demands, whatever is planted in our subconscious mind will produce fruit.  This is why people experience “self-fulfilling prophecies,” for seeds planted in their subconscious mind from thoughts like: “I will never be rich,” “I will never be happy in our marriage,” “I have made too many mistakes to ever be successful or happy,” or even “I am not smart enough to learn how to use the VCR” eventually bear fruit and become our reality.

Your subconscious mind will readily accept whatever your conscious mind decrees.  If you say, “I can’t afford it,” your subconscious mind will work to make it true.  If you tell yourself, “I am ugly,” your subconscious will ensure this becomes a reality.  If you think “I will never be able to kick my bad habit,” your subconscious mind will make sure you never will – for “what you write on the inside, you will experience on the outside” – Joseph Murphy, PhD.  And “according to your belief, so will it done unto you.” – Jesus Christ.

So how do we use our subconscious in a positive way?  We do this by continually, and intentionally, feeding our mind with seeds of affirming faith, belief, and positive goals.  We must continually renew our mind by feeding it with affirming truths about ourselves, and then develop daily disciplines which will drive these truths deep into our subconscious mind.  This is where a courageous war will be fought.  For this will be the battlefield on which the seeds of your dreams will either be protected and nurtured, or washed away by destructive thoughts of fear and doubt.

Remember:
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.” – Henry Ford
“We become what we think about.” – Earl Nightengale
“A man is what he thinks about all day long.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” – King Solomon

** What you expect to happen usually does - because your subconscious mind will naturally work to bring into reality any belief or goal you tend to focus on… thus the inherent power of the subconscious mind.  You will use it for your gain - or experience dire loss by neglecting it. 

Taking Courageous Steps Into The New Year

Wednesday, 02. January 2008 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

“This is the true joy – the being used for a purpose recognize as a mighty one”
- George Bernard Shaw

In my work with various leaders, I have found that one of the most powerful prohibitors of a person reaching their full potential as a leader (and person) is fear.

During World War II (1944), thousands of American paratroopers jumped into Normandy to stop the advance of Hitler’s army.  Military records show there were four soldiers who refused to jump that day.  As I ponder those four men, I can not help but image the rest of their lives.  I can only imagine what kind of excuses, rationales, or repressions they must have had to employ during the rest of their lives to explain why they refused to jump with their comrades that day.  I believe (in some ways) the lives of those four men ended that night over Normandy when they gave into their fear.

We all die in the end, but there is no reason to die in the middle of our lives.  When a leader refuses the opportunity to grow, or to take a courageous risk, they are forced to perform ever greater acts of repression to explain to themselves, and others, why they have chosen not to embrace all the mysteries and adventures our calling as a leader has to offer.

Fear is the most paralyzing of all human emotions.  Fear stops us from trying, daring, and succeeding – therefore our fears must be courageously confronted so we never find ourselves saying, “I wish I had. I should have. or, Why didn’t I?” As radio and TV personality Bob Proctor wrote, “We come this way but once.  We can either tip-toe through life, and hope that we get to death without being too badly bruised - or we can live a full, complete life where work to achie our goals and realize our wildest dreams.”

The courageous life does not tip-toe into the future.  It accepts the invigorating challenge of seeing one’s Purpose in life realized.  It understands that on the journey toward the summit of our dreams, fears and obstacles will need to be confronted and overcome along the way.  The path will not always be smooth, and the climb will not always be easy, but if we in fact step through our fears, and conquer the obstacles, we will join an elite club of those who, throughout history, have successfully embraced their heroic calling.  Individuals who clarified what they wanted their life to be about, chose to believe in both who they are and where they were going, and then tenaciously stepped out in a new direction… in the direction which led them toward their dreams.

In this new year, my challenge for you is to do the same. 

As the Lord commanded Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified of them…” (Joshua 1:9)

Andrew Carnegie’s Keys to Success

Friday, 28. December 2007 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

In this video clip Napoleon Hill talks about his meeting with Andrew Carnegie where Carnegie shared what he believed is the key to success (however you would define “success” for yourself.)

Andrew Carnegie (person in the picture) is known for having built one of the most powerful and influential corporations in United States history, and, later in his life, giving away most of his riches to fund the establishment of many libraries, schools, and universities in America, Scotland and other countries throughout the world. Carnegie, a poor boy with fierce ambition, a pleasant personality, and a devotion to both hard work and self-improvement, started as a telegrapher. By the 1860s, he had investments in railroads, railroad sleeping cars, as well as bridges and oil derricks, and he built wealth as a bond salesman raising money in Europe for American enterprise.

Steel was where he found his fortune. In the 1870s, he founded the Carnegie Steel Company. By the 1890s, the company was the largest and most profitable industrial enterprise in the world. He sold it to J.P. Morgan’s US Steel in 1901 and devoted the remainder of his life to large-scale philanthropy, with special emphasis on local libraries, world peace, and scientific research.

Press Here to see video clip

Napoleon Hill (1883–1970) was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time. In America, Hill stated in his writings, people are free to believe what they want to believe, and this is what sets the United States apart from all other countries in the world. Hill’s works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. “What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve” is one of Hill’s hallmark expressions.

As part of his research, Hill interviewed many of the most famous people of the time, including Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, George Eastman, Henry Ford, Elmer Gates, John D. Rockefeller, Charles M. Schwab, F.W. Woolworth, William Wrigley Jr., John Wanamaker, William Jennings Bryan, Joseph Stalin, Theodore Roosevelt, William H. Taft, Woodrow Wilson, Charles Allen Ward and Jennings Randolph. The project lasted over twenty years, during which Hill became an advisor to Carnegie. As a result of these studies, the Philosophy of Achievement was offered as a formula for rags-to-riches success by Hill and Carnegie, published initially in 1928 as a study course called, The Law of Success.

Inspiration via YouTube

Saturday, 08. December 2007 by Ronald T. Brown, Ph.D.

Friends,
Below is a sequence of YouTube video clips I really enjoyed.  They tell an inspirational story if watched in sequence.
The clips are of Paul Potts - who won this year’s “Britain’s Got Talent” show (similar to our “American Idol” show.)  It was inspiring for me to follow his journey.  When you have time, sit down and give these clips a watch.  Paul was a cell phone salesman (with very low self esteem & confidence) before being on the show.

  Press Here - Audition Night

Press Here - Semifinal Performance

Press Here - Performance for the Finals

Press Here - The Overal Winner is Annouced
__________________________________________

Press Here - NBC News Interview a few days afterwards

Press Here - An interesting interview about his life a few months later

Press Here - This is a song off his first CD… “Everybody Hurts” - originally sang by REM