For the past several days, like many others around the world, I’ve been totally caught up in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Watching the awe-inspiring display of talent is an amazing demonstration of the potential that lies within the human spirit. The pride and commitment to excellence demonstrated by athletes from every country has been inspiring to me. As an American it is uplifting to see our athletes demonstrate a picture of what America truly stands for at our best. It’s a pleasure to be represented by Kobe, Labron and the rest of the Redeem Team, as well as all of the American swimmers, gymnasts, beach volley ball players and all others who represent the pride of who we are as a people. This could be said of all the athletes from around the world as well.
What has been even more meaningful to me is the respect and admiration shown by these great athletes, from every corner of the globe, for one another. Regardless of race, color, creed, gender, age, language or country, there has been an overwhelming sense of the recognition of their oneness. The competition is fierce and the pride in the country being represented is apparent in each competitor. However, that doesn’t negate the respect and acknowledgement of what each individual brings to these games. For this moment in time, we have set politics and our differences aside. The athletes from all over the world have set an example of how much more alike than different we are. It would be a great improvement in the world if we all carried this attitude beyond the athletes and the Olympic games.
I recently returned from Nashville, Tennessee, where I was presenting to a group of union and management representatives. They are faced with competing in a global economy, which requires a significant change in how we interact and engage with our work force. The pride and commitment to being all that we can be, demonstrated during the Olympics, is an example of what is possible. If we could capture a small part of that in our organizations and our work force, we would be hard to beat.
We live in challenging times. These Olympic athletes are a shining example of how to compete with dignity and respect. It’s encouraging to get beyond politics and recognize how great we are, and can be, as a people. The preparation, the training, the respect, the teamwork and the pride in representing your sport and your country make these Olympics something special. If we would all commit to carrying a bit of this spirit back into our lives, our homes, our jobs and our communities, it would make a huge difference for the betterment of our world.
Be at peace. Gordy
Monday, August 18, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Balance
The challenges we face in today’s fast-paced world increase the importance of balance in our lives. Because the mind gets overwhelmed with financial needs, it’s easy to neglect other aspects that are of equal importance, like family, personal health and the parts of our lives that are social, recreational, educational and spiritual. These essential parts of a balanced lifestyle are often put on the back burner to be dealt with later.
My wife, Eve, was a counselor in another life and is quite good at reminding me of the importance of family. We are blessed with five children and fourteen grandchildren between us. Eve is always on top of birthdays and other special family occasions and she keeps me aware of these dates and times. A card or a phone call can make someone’s day. I love my family and yet I can still forget the importance of letting them know how important they are to me, especially on their special occasions. She also encourages social and entertainment activities, without which I tend to get totally consumed with my mission in life and neglect making time for the two of us.
Health becomes more important as the years go by, and while I enjoy exercise, I need to schedule time in my day for it. Walking has replaced running, and that and a few light weights is now my routine. I have a tendency to procrastinate when I’m “on the road.” It’s the starting that’s most difficult! I’m an avid reader and I enjoy gaining new ideas on the concepts of change and the psychology of life. I try to participate in a seminar on these subjects every year in order to keep my own “saw” sharpened. My desire is to stay connected to a Higher Power. My life always works better when I make this a priority. This part of my life is very personal to me, and I respect other people’s right to their own path as well. It’s great to do what I do!
I leave for Nashville, Tennessee tomorrow on a 5:40 a.m. flight through Denver. The airports and planes are just the details. I goal-set to stay focused on making an excellent presentation to the people attending the conference and meeting new friends. It’s best to stay end-result oriented because the details (like airport delays, etc.) can be very boring.
Have a great week! Gordy
My wife, Eve, was a counselor in another life and is quite good at reminding me of the importance of family. We are blessed with five children and fourteen grandchildren between us. Eve is always on top of birthdays and other special family occasions and she keeps me aware of these dates and times. A card or a phone call can make someone’s day. I love my family and yet I can still forget the importance of letting them know how important they are to me, especially on their special occasions. She also encourages social and entertainment activities, without which I tend to get totally consumed with my mission in life and neglect making time for the two of us.
Health becomes more important as the years go by, and while I enjoy exercise, I need to schedule time in my day for it. Walking has replaced running, and that and a few light weights is now my routine. I have a tendency to procrastinate when I’m “on the road.” It’s the starting that’s most difficult! I’m an avid reader and I enjoy gaining new ideas on the concepts of change and the psychology of life. I try to participate in a seminar on these subjects every year in order to keep my own “saw” sharpened. My desire is to stay connected to a Higher Power. My life always works better when I make this a priority. This part of my life is very personal to me, and I respect other people’s right to their own path as well. It’s great to do what I do!
I leave for Nashville, Tennessee tomorrow on a 5:40 a.m. flight through Denver. The airports and planes are just the details. I goal-set to stay focused on making an excellent presentation to the people attending the conference and meeting new friends. It’s best to stay end-result oriented because the details (like airport delays, etc.) can be very boring.
Have a great week! Gordy
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Healthy Culture
For the past thirty years, I've recognized that the culture of an organization has a major impact on performance. It also has an impact on an individuals' mental health. At Gordon Graham and Company, we've encountered some very toxic cultures over the years as well as some that create an engaged workforce. Obviously, culture is driven by leadership. When leadership recognizes, acknowledges and rewards individuals fairly, creates an environment that encourages personal growth and views employees as whole human beings, not just as numbers, it goes a long way toward establishing a healthy culture.
When times get challenging these things are tough to sustain. Honesty and open communication can build the kind of trust that is the foundation of a constructive culture. In hindsight, I recognize how the culture of a prison can alter how an individual thinks. It can change your outlook on life. My first experience as an inmate had a tremendous impact on the next twenty years of my life. I went in to prison thinking like a scared young man and the induction into the prison culture gradually changed my thought patterns. I came out six years later thinking like a convict. It's the same idea as going in with a sprained ankle and coming out with a broken leg.
Cultures can change. Even in a prison, a constructive culture is a necessity for survival in a global economy. It will also have to become a reality in prisons if we are ever going to change the end product that returns to our communities.
When times get challenging these things are tough to sustain. Honesty and open communication can build the kind of trust that is the foundation of a constructive culture. In hindsight, I recognize how the culture of a prison can alter how an individual thinks. It can change your outlook on life. My first experience as an inmate had a tremendous impact on the next twenty years of my life. I went in to prison thinking like a scared young man and the induction into the prison culture gradually changed my thought patterns. I came out six years later thinking like a convict. It's the same idea as going in with a sprained ankle and coming out with a broken leg.
Cultures can change. Even in a prison, a constructive culture is a necessity for survival in a global economy. It will also have to become a reality in prisons if we are ever going to change the end product that returns to our communities.
Monday, August 4, 2008
A Positive Conspiracy
In the 1980’s there was a spiritual revolution that took place in our society. Marilyn Ferguson wrote a book called The Aquarian Conspiracy, and her premise was that people on a spiritual quest recognize one another when they meet. I believe there are positive conspirators as well, and that when they meet they connect in the same way.
I’m writing a book entitled, A Positive Conspiracy, outlining some of the positive conspirators in my own life’s journey who have opened doors and given me entry into areas that would generally be closed to people with my background. These co-conspirators are CEO’s and union leaders; wardens and convicts; women and men; young and old; from various races and skin colors. They all seem to have one common interest, and that is to make the world that we all inhabit a better place.
These conspirators’ motivation seems to come from a need to give their lives meaning, that need we all share that is filled by giving rather than from receiving. What I’ve discovered in my own life’s journey is that the more you give, the more you receive. Some don’t have the resources to give material gifts, but we can all share our unique talents, friendship and our love.
Just reaching out in some way to another human being can be a great gift. When I visit a prison and have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with men and women who are locked away from society, my cup is filled.
There’s a great saying that goes, “if you cut an apple in half, anyone can count the seeds in an apple; but no one can count the apples in a seed.” You never know when your words of encouragement, or an unexpected, “I love you,” will make someone’s day. What co-conspirators have discovered is that the more you give, the happier you are. That is to say, when our spirit of intent is to enrich another rather than being driven by ego, the need for self-glorification or financial gain we feel more fulfilled. If there is a secret to life it is hidden in this concept.
All of us need to generate income since we live in a world that requires money to sustain our own and our families’ welfare. However, money should be a by-product of good work and/or good service rather than just trading time for money. In psychologist Eric Erickson’s eight developmental stages, the seventh stage is generativity, or the giving without selfish motivation. It seems that many reach this point early in life, and yet some never seem to gain this stage of development. The only one who truly knows why we do what we do is the person in the mirror.
I’ll be back next week. Be at peace.
Gordy Graham
I’m writing a book entitled, A Positive Conspiracy, outlining some of the positive conspirators in my own life’s journey who have opened doors and given me entry into areas that would generally be closed to people with my background. These co-conspirators are CEO’s and union leaders; wardens and convicts; women and men; young and old; from various races and skin colors. They all seem to have one common interest, and that is to make the world that we all inhabit a better place.
These conspirators’ motivation seems to come from a need to give their lives meaning, that need we all share that is filled by giving rather than from receiving. What I’ve discovered in my own life’s journey is that the more you give, the more you receive. Some don’t have the resources to give material gifts, but we can all share our unique talents, friendship and our love.
Just reaching out in some way to another human being can be a great gift. When I visit a prison and have the opportunity to share my knowledge and experience with men and women who are locked away from society, my cup is filled.
There’s a great saying that goes, “if you cut an apple in half, anyone can count the seeds in an apple; but no one can count the apples in a seed.” You never know when your words of encouragement, or an unexpected, “I love you,” will make someone’s day. What co-conspirators have discovered is that the more you give, the happier you are. That is to say, when our spirit of intent is to enrich another rather than being driven by ego, the need for self-glorification or financial gain we feel more fulfilled. If there is a secret to life it is hidden in this concept.
All of us need to generate income since we live in a world that requires money to sustain our own and our families’ welfare. However, money should be a by-product of good work and/or good service rather than just trading time for money. In psychologist Eric Erickson’s eight developmental stages, the seventh stage is generativity, or the giving without selfish motivation. It seems that many reach this point early in life, and yet some never seem to gain this stage of development. The only one who truly knows why we do what we do is the person in the mirror.
I’ll be back next week. Be at peace.
Gordy Graham
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)