When I speak with audiences, I say to them that they will hear nothing from me that they don’t already know to be true. My intention in my work is not to impart some grand wisdom, rather it is to shine a light on the leader that has been ignoredor forgotten in the race through life. By approaching life and work as a continual process of discovery, I am gratified when I find affirmation of my understandings in popular culture.
Lately the Black EyedPeas’ song “Where is the Love” has been popping up in interesting places. Not withstanding the sound quality of the Super Bowl Halftime Show—I find it amazing that 163 millionpeople watched the game and their performance is the highest rated halftimeshow ever. This song was a cornerstone of the concert and if you listened to the words you may be amazed at the message sent throughout the globe.
What’s wrong with the world, mama
People livin’ like they ain’t got no mamas
I think the whole world addicted to the drama
Only attracted to things that’ll bring you trauma
Overseas, yeah, we try to stop terrorism
But we still got terrorists here livin’ in the USA
What drama are we addicted to? Has the idea that we are competitive beings in this world to fight one another for scare resources taken hold so firmly that all we do is create traumatic situations for ourselves and others? How powerful is the idea that we cannot “fight” something externally that we ourselves are incapable of living everyday. One of the most important leadership understandings is that there is nothing we can do for another, until you are living that way ourselves. Can we really stop terrorism elsewhere, when our society is filled with so much violence?
In this world that we livin’ in peoplekeep on givin’ in
Makin’ wrong decisions, only visions of them dividends
Not respectin’ each other, deny thy brother
A war is goin’ on but the reason’s undercover
The truth is kept secret, it’s swept under the rug
How often do we give in to what is going on around us—even when we know it isn’t right? How many people on WallStreet looked the other way when unethical practices took over in the pursuit of profits? How many mortgage bankers signed loans knowing full well the disaster ahead for homeowners? And who knew that going to war,although politically popular at the time, was not in the long-term best interest of the country and still said nothing? What happens when we turn a blind eye to the greater good?
I feel the weight of the world on myshoulder
As I’m gettin’ older, y’all, people gets colder
Most of us only care about money makin’
Selfishness got us followin’ our wrong direction
Wrong information always shown by the media
Negative images is the main criteria
Infecting the young minds faster than bacteria
Kids wanna act like what they see in the cinema
Do you stop to think about the messages your life is sending to the next generation? What are you doing to contribute to the betterment of our world? What are you showing your children about what is important in life? A big house, lots of stuff, nice cars, are these things truly important? What values are constantly being communicated to our children in their media-centric world?
Yo’, whatever happened to the values of humanity
Whatever happened to the fairness inequality
Instead in spreading love we spreading animosity
Lack of understanding, leading lives away from unity
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
That’s the reason why sometimes I’m feelin’ down
There’s no wonder why sometimes I’m feelin’ under
Gotta keep my faith alive till love is found
In the amazing new documentary,“I Am,” which opens with this song, award winning director Tom Shadyac, eloquently communicates a new way of thinking about who we are as human beings—that is, not the competitive might-makes-right fighters, rather that our true nature lies in cooperative communities where everyone is valued and cared for. When these communities existed, there was no hunger, disease and loneliness, as he demonstrates, theseare all byproducts of choosing selfishness over service.
In thinking about leadership for our world today, I describe my approach to leadership as “love in action.” Using that definition, I find the questionof “where is the love?” a timely and appropriate one to ask. Hopefully each person reading this article will ask that question as well and know the answer is as close as discovering how YOU wish to put your love into the world.
I have to agree. We need to get away from selfishness and hate and work together for peace and the greater good. It rarely seems like the media is good for us, but rather manipulating us for their own good. Maybe we should turn off our televisions and computers and get back out in our communities and interact with live people…
Awesome post! If people actually listened to the lyrics of the songs they listen to, I’m sure the world would be a much different place. Whether that’s for the better or the worse is a whole other story, but this is definitely an example of music conveying something great and inspiring people to be better. More music should be like that.
“was not in the long-term best interest of the country”… who’s to say it wasn’t…. do we know absolutely that further terrorist actions on our homeland killing our people would NOT have occurred if we just sat idle on the side and watched…doing nothing??? And what do you say to all the innocent people and children that were being savagely raped, molested, murdered by Saddam and his henchmen …. I’m sure those that didn’t have to experience those atrocities and now have more freedom than they’ve enjoyed their whole life are very thankful for our sacrifices. Those actions are MORE of a cooperative Community showing selflessness and “Love in action”. More than the FAILED cooperative communities of the 60’s ever accomplished.
I’m told the Japanese plan out a product before making it. What it does, how it will be used, is it safe, and what happens to it afterwards. They show great love for the land and people.
If government projects would think things out before enacting them there might be more ethical descisions made. The best answer is not the one with the most “political gain” Its the one that protects the people.
In ’74 when the neutron bomb offered a way to kill all the people but leave the building un harmed. It came to light as to what was more important. Having all the government buildings but no people or loosing all the buildings but having people.
When making these descisions as to what is important look to what saves the people or saves the buildings. Plan things out accordingly from product start to product end.
We all love and show love in the workplace in different ways. Reading this I asked – so how do we nurture an environment that allows a true sense of caring to exist in the workplace? Is our individual sense of spirit being snuffed out by policies, protocols that don’t allow an individual to feel he/she matters? Are we encouraging diverse opinions to better understand how we work and feel about the work we do? Got me thinking about how leaders have to be the open-minded encourager that builds a workforce that can be trusting of differences while making decisions that are right for reasons that go beyond an individual’s seflish pursuits.