Commitment Calling us to stand for something bigger than ourselves.

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1 Commitment Calling us to stand for something bigger than ourselves.

2 Commitment Commitment calls us to stand for something bigger than ourselves. It is a function of being fully engaged at the moment when care and intention generate action. Being given to something bigger than ourselves, we choose to stand for a future that includes and transcends our sensations, thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. Once embodied, commitment animates and transforms being. 2

3 Confusing Commitment We conflate and confuse commitment with many other ideas. Commitment as Compliance Commitment as Attachment Commitment as Obsession Commitment as Sacrifice Commitment as Passion Commitment as Obligation Commitment as Goal Commitment as Time/Money Commitment as Motivated/Inspired 3

4 Generating Commitment Commitment. Commitment calls us to stand for something bigger than ourselves. It is a function of being fully engaged at the moment when care and intention generate action. I am granted being by something bigger than myself. I choose a future for which to stand; a future constituted by my commitment. I engage what matters most from that future. 4

5 Note about Future. Commitment and Future To effectively lead a created future that fulfills a created future, requires that you become that future. This does NOT mean that you personally create the future, rather, that you are the future to be created. You are the future in the sense that you constitute yourself as the place where the created future comes together, and as it comes together, you constitute yourself as that future. Who you are and your life become about the creation and realization of that future. 5

6 Note about Future. Commitment and Future The leader s contribution, that is, the act of leading in creating a created future, is to guide and shape the conversation that develops the future being created. Because leaders have constituted themselves as the created future as the place where the created future lives and therefore comes together leaders can rely with confidence on the contributions of others as belonging in that created future. As such, you will be able to trust what you hear and see as belonging to that created future or not. 6

7 Note about Future. Commitment and Future Each time there is a breakdown in the process of realizing that future, as leader, your job is to constitute that breakdown as a commitment. This function will define your leadership. Breakdowns will exist as the gap between the self and the commitment: in that breakdown leaders point to commitment for those involved, so they can see: 1. an opportunity to fulfill their own concerns, 2. an opportunity for authentic self-expression, and 3. an opportunity to make a noteworthy contribution to successfully dealing with that breakdown. 7

8 Generating Commitment Commitment calls us to stand for something bigger than ourselves. We surrender to our commitment. We become the expression of our commitment, giving it voice. We become the instrument for our commitment, the vessel through which it lives in every situation. Commitment drives us, we do not drive it. 8

9 Generating Commitment Commitment calls us to stand for something bigger than ourselves. Commitment is not a state or stage to get to. We are a commitment from a future we resolve to bring forth. Animated by our authentic being, we generate the courage to act on our commitment in any situation. With courage, we speak and act from a future in any situation. We focus our attention to engage what matters most, and cultivate intention as to why it matters. 9

10 Care and Intention Generate Action It is a function of being fully engaged at the moment when care and intention generate action. Commitment is neither a goal nor a destination. We generate commitment in each situation in language. Generating commitment transforms ordinary concerns or competing agendas, into a stand. Our resolve to take a stand discloses authentic care from inauthentic care. Care lives beyond sentimental, romantic, and considerate acts. It is the fundamental concern that has us BE, or grants us being, that constitutes authentic being with the resolve to take a stand. The courage to act in the face of fear, reservations, or disagreement, finds us owning action without needing roles, taking stands without seeking permission, and charting direction without requiring evidence. 10

11 Taking a Stand Being given by something bigger than ourselves, we choose to stand for a future... Taking a stand we become open to the possibility of a future that wasn t going to happen. We see moments newly. We experience new views. We engage new practices. We grow in new ways. We are now used by something bigger than ourselves. We constitute each moment, activity, task or event to realize our commitment. Commitment emerges from a compelling future that binds and guides us. We resolve to act from our commitment. 11

12 Commitment Transforms a future that includes and transcends our sensations, thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. Humans feel, sense, and perceive occurrences, which result in and from stimuli, excitement, and peak experiences. These experiences cannot replace commitment. We are either thrown or constrained by these experiences, or we use them to inform and shape our commitment. When realized, we transform our experiences to support our commitment. 12

13 Commitment Transforms a future that includes and transcends our sensations, thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. We can always choose, and disclose choices. We choose to have our experiences, to react to them, or to act with them. We must choose: either have the experience of our thoughts and feelings, or generate conversations to forward our commitment. It s a choice. In any situation, we can choose whether or not to be open to the moment that calls forth our commitment. 13

14 Commitment Transforms Once embodied, commitment animates and transforms being. The choice to serve others, to focus on another s concerns, enlivens us. We expand as we dissolve our preoccupation with self, and realize the fullness of being. This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one; the being a force of nature instead of a feverish selfish little clod of ailments and grievances complaining that the world will not devote itself to making you happy. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. Man and Superman George Bernard Shaw 14

15 Commitment Commitment calls us to stand for something bigger than ourselves. It is a function of being fully engaged at the moment when care and intention generate action. Being given to something bigger than ourselves, we choose to stand for a future that includes and transcends our sensations, thoughts, emotions, and circumstances. Once embodied, commitment animates and transforms being. 15

16 Assignments

17 Read Papers by Jeffrey Ford: 1- Core Elements of Leadership Readings Identify any impediments to commitment and leadership. 2- Challenge of leadership Identify missing elements for leadership. After reading these two papers, identify any structures and practices that can support your commitment and leadership 3- Read: Leading Yourself, (second of Chip Souba s papers). Review the entire paper. Focus on table 1, page 7. Identify any step(s) that define(s) what s missing or what s next from your future. 17

18 Exercises A- Review Slide #3 in this Deck. How many of these interpretations of Commitment do you identify with? List them in your journal. B- Being Complete: Review the Slide Deck, Being Complete. With this deck, and pages 1 and 2 in the Incomplete Inventory (that describes the incomplete dynamic) answer these questions: 1. When can you be complete? 2. When are you complete? 3. List four specific items (explore incomplete inventory) that impede your ability to be complete in any situation? 18

Appreciating Diversity through Winning Colors. Key Words. comfort zone natural preference

Lesson 2 Appreciating Diversity through Winning Colors Chapter 1 Key Words comfort zone natural preference What You Will Learn to Do Apply an appreciation of diversity to interpersonal situations Linked