Memorial Day
by
Gordon Graham
Memorial Day is a reminder to all of us that, “Freedom isn’t free.” Just in my lifetime, thousands of brave men and women have given their lives to preserve our right to live in a free society. We take so many of these freedoms for granted, and yet even today they are challenged by leaders who would deny us the right to choose our own destiny. A free society cannot survive without fair and just laws. Laws that do not discriminate based on gender, race, color, economics or political persuasion.
We should be able to disagree without being disagreeable. However, with the awesome power of technology, talking heads can polarize a country, a community and even a family. We have evolved into character assassination when a misspoken phrase can destroy a candidate’s chance of success. The truth can be slowly buried by airtime, and the bombastic attacks that play in living rooms every day across the country.
When I’m giving a presentation I have a tendency to misspeak, to say something that could be taken out of context. However, I can apologize and move on; the media doesn’t capture the error and play it over and over to make me look like something I’m not!
Television is a great resource for entertainment, news, weather, etc. It has control buttons that allow you to select stations and adjust volume, but the control I really like is the “off” button! So when the vitriol starts I change stations or hit the “off” switch. That really helps my mental health!
One of our most powerful freedoms is to choose, every two to four years, those who represent us in congress. We live in a diverse society. The United States offers the same freedoms, the same rights to all citizens that choose to obey the laws of a free society. We have a responsibility to exercise this freedom with the highest regard for all.
Have a peaceful, thoughtful – Free! - Memorial Day!
Peace, Gordon Graham
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Monday, June 15, 2009
Gordon Graham on STAYING FOCUSED
Gordon Graham on STAYING FOCUSED
This is an interesting time for people in every sector of our society. It’s a time that challenges our ability to maintain our focus on what is truly important in our lives.
The bankruptcy of General Motors was a heart-wrenching event for yours truly. I’ve had a relationship with GM and the U.A.W. for thirty-odd years. Many of my close friends work for GM. They range from regional directors to plant managers, from union leaders to men and women on the production line. The impact that just one plant closure can have on the economy of a community is devastating. Many of the General Motors plants are the largest employers in small and mid-sized cities. The tax revenue provides the resources for education, social services and many other community needs. When a plant closes so do many small businesses that depend upon the work force as their customer base.
Change is a constant in today’s rapidly evolving world. My hope is that our leadership will recognize the importance of keeping decent jobs in our communities. We all recognize that the world keeps getting smaller with the increase of technology and the emerging global economy. The free trade system as it has played out has not been a fair trade system for America’s workers, and our current health care system alone puts us at a tremendous disadvantage.
Leadership needs to understand that the men and women who build our cars and trucks don’t need an edge, they just need a chance to compete on a level playing field.
Peace,
Gordon Graham, Change Agent
www.ggco.com
This is an interesting time for people in every sector of our society. It’s a time that challenges our ability to maintain our focus on what is truly important in our lives.
The bankruptcy of General Motors was a heart-wrenching event for yours truly. I’ve had a relationship with GM and the U.A.W. for thirty-odd years. Many of my close friends work for GM. They range from regional directors to plant managers, from union leaders to men and women on the production line. The impact that just one plant closure can have on the economy of a community is devastating. Many of the General Motors plants are the largest employers in small and mid-sized cities. The tax revenue provides the resources for education, social services and many other community needs. When a plant closes so do many small businesses that depend upon the work force as their customer base.
Change is a constant in today’s rapidly evolving world. My hope is that our leadership will recognize the importance of keeping decent jobs in our communities. We all recognize that the world keeps getting smaller with the increase of technology and the emerging global economy. The free trade system as it has played out has not been a fair trade system for America’s workers, and our current health care system alone puts us at a tremendous disadvantage.
Leadership needs to understand that the men and women who build our cars and trucks don’t need an edge, they just need a chance to compete on a level playing field.
Peace,
Gordon Graham, Change Agent
www.ggco.com
Friday, March 27, 2009
Gordon Graham: New York! New York!
New York! New York!
by Gordon Graham
I love New York! However I learned this week that it is so much more enjoyable when you’re not fighting a major head cold! My colleague and I were consulting in a specialty paper plant near Saratoga Springs. I spent the day speaking to all the employees in the plant, starting at 5:30 a.m. eastern time. Do you realize that is 2:30 a.m. in Seattle? The final group session ended at 4:30 p.m.
With this client, both the company and the union recognize that they need to be the best they can be to survive in today’s economy. There’s no room in these challenging times to allow a ‘disconnect’ between union and management leadership. Leadership must find a way to engage their people, keeping their energies focused on turning out the best end-product possible in order to keep jobs in our communities.
I flew out of Albany and met Cat Crosslin, my long-time associate, in New York City. New York is a city that will capture your heart if you like a fast-paced, high energy environment. Sure enough, the city got Cat! She had an opportunity to see the play, “Wicked,” on Broadway while I was hard at work in Albany. We then met with writer and publicist Judith Katz, who is a very talented, innovative and energetic woman. I was very impressed with both her talent and her heart.
Gordon Graham & Company is going through a major transition here in Seattle presently, not unlike many companies. However, we will still be doing our best to assist individuals and organizations in managing the changes these challenging times are demanding. The letters, phone calls (my style of communication), e-mails, texts, etc., that we receive keep us motivated to continue to make a positive difference in the world. Thanks for your continued support, and thanks for the contributions you are making to your communities.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
by Gordon Graham
I love New York! However I learned this week that it is so much more enjoyable when you’re not fighting a major head cold! My colleague and I were consulting in a specialty paper plant near Saratoga Springs. I spent the day speaking to all the employees in the plant, starting at 5:30 a.m. eastern time. Do you realize that is 2:30 a.m. in Seattle? The final group session ended at 4:30 p.m.
With this client, both the company and the union recognize that they need to be the best they can be to survive in today’s economy. There’s no room in these challenging times to allow a ‘disconnect’ between union and management leadership. Leadership must find a way to engage their people, keeping their energies focused on turning out the best end-product possible in order to keep jobs in our communities.
I flew out of Albany and met Cat Crosslin, my long-time associate, in New York City. New York is a city that will capture your heart if you like a fast-paced, high energy environment. Sure enough, the city got Cat! She had an opportunity to see the play, “Wicked,” on Broadway while I was hard at work in Albany. We then met with writer and publicist Judith Katz, who is a very talented, innovative and energetic woman. I was very impressed with both her talent and her heart.
Gordon Graham & Company is going through a major transition here in Seattle presently, not unlike many companies. However, we will still be doing our best to assist individuals and organizations in managing the changes these challenging times are demanding. The letters, phone calls (my style of communication), e-mails, texts, etc., that we receive keep us motivated to continue to make a positive difference in the world. Thanks for your continued support, and thanks for the contributions you are making to your communities.
Peace,
Gordon Graham
Gordon Graham & Co.
www.ggco.com
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