Photo by jurvetson Being a Canadian means watching US politics like most people watch major sporting events. You admire the players, ooo and ahh at the spectacular moves they make, but ultimately you know you will never have a chance to play. It’s all entertainment. Except that it isn’t. The President of the United States is often styled as the “leader of the free world” which is true in some ways, although the leader the rest of us in the “free world” might choose for ourselves is very often not the ones Americans choose for us. So, in case any …
This is refreshing. Michael Bryant, the Ontario Mininster of ABoriginal Affairs was up in Caledonia last week talking to non-native people about what is going on with the dispute there. He sort of live blogged his learning on YouTube, a nice candid set of relfections, although he stammers a fair bit. Would be good too if he spoke to some Haudonasaunee people as well, BUT kudos for him putting his thoughts out there like this. I think that makes for good accountability, especially if some of the folks he talked to weigh in in the comments section if they need …
Last wekk I was working with some good friends – Kyra Mason, Thomas Ufer, Ruth Lyall, Jennifer Charlesworth and Nanette Taylor. Together we designed and delivered a one day workshop on what we called “Chaordic Leadership in Changing Times.” The focus of the workshop was collaborative leadership practice and we were asking questions about collaborating around a movement in the child and family services sector in British Columbia. Collaborative leadership practice has a couple of key capacities. First is the ability to be in and hold space for conversations that matter. The second is the practice of developing and holding …
I can’t vouch for the authenticity of this piece, A Samurai Creed, but it speaks volumes about practice. A Samurai’s Creed Anonymous, Circa 1300I have no parents; I make the heaven and earth my mother and father. I have no home; I make awareness my dwelling. I have no life and death; I make the tides of breathing my life and death. I have no divine power; I make honesty my divine power. I have no means; I make understanding my means. I have no magic secrets; I make character my magic secret. I have no body; I make endurance …
From Mushashi’s Book of Five Rings, the way of strategy: Do not think dishonestly. The Way is in training. Become acquainted with every art. Know the Ways of all professions. Distinguish between gain and loss in worldly matters. Develop intuitive judgement and understanding for everything. Perceive those things which cannot be seen. Pay attention even to trifles. Do nothing which is of no use. What if strategic planning was like that?