Sustaining the Vision: A Commitment to a Dream

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“I first dream the painting, then I paint the dream.” Visionary Laurie Brown says, "Commit. Commit to throw your hat over the fence.” -Vincent van Gogh

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Thought Leader Conversation Starter Laurie Brown, Founder and President of Restore the Earth products, spoke to us at last week's MN TLG of how, over the past 15 years she has sustained her vision: recommitting over and over to a dream of creating products and lifestyles that would restore the earth/be generative for our communities, our planet.

John Kennedy, Jr. once said the key to making something happen is to “throw your hat over the fence”. With that you make a commitment to go over the fence and get it. Others become involved and there is no turning back.

Farber wrote that leadership is not for sissies—it is an extreme sport. There are great highs and great wipeouts. During the wipeouts, you learn something so you can catch a bigger wave next time. Each experience has helped me to reach higher and reach farther out.

I “threw my hat over the fence today”. I’m going to be the real me. I’m going to be generous. I’m going to pass the torch on the things I’m not strong at. Trust that the dream will go on. I brought the dream to the doorstep, the world is ready for it. I can sustain the vision well. I will let those who can take it to the next level, do it.

with Laurie Brown

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Collective Wisdom

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A topic as rich as Collective Wisdom (CW) needs days to gather, ponder, dialogue with each other to troll the depth and breadth of the field. Much gratitude to Alan Briskin for giving us a substantial drink from a deep pool.

CW is not group think, but in fact, requires the individual to show up with a generosity of spirit and the presence of knowing each voice matters to create wholeness in a conversation or dialogue. A field of resonance and coherence is called into play that generates new capacities. We begin to understand that we exist because we belong to others, other beings, our surroundings, the planet, the universe. We exist because we belong to others....

Alan also spoke to Collective Stupidity, which applies to many situations, including our dated concepts of leadership/followership.

Groups are inclined toward stupidity the more they believe an answer lies outside themselves, including a belief that an answer lies with the leader. This form of ìprojectionî carries penalties whether the projection is positive or negative. We defer our own wisdom at great cost, becoming dependent on an outside figure for answers and increasingly divided in our opposition or loyalty.

The power of CW as Alan describes it is that we form a necklace of ideas that creates intention, coherence, and authentic engagement. What emerges is a capacity for foresight of what may be coming and insight of action to be taken, but from a place of wholeness that takes many perspectives and intelligences into account. Leadership becomes a quality that each is called to, as needed.

How might the wisdom, deep within each of us, be brought forward collectively to heal the planet? First by being aware that we belong to one another. When we come into alignment with this field, there is a deeper understanding of our connection with others, with life, and with a source of collective wisdom. This resonance creates an intelligence of presence and body awareness that calls into play our intuition and heart wisdom.

Next we can call this out in others. One of the call participants gave an example of holding someone in his thoughts, holding the person to her highest level of presence. He experienced that on some level that he didn't understand, she felt this and responded, even though no words had been exchanged. We've all had an experience like this. It's not manipulation; it's coherence.

The key messages of CW:

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“We Are All Connected And Interdependent” Collective wisdom is a mindset and orientation, a turning toward the reality of interdependence, intricacy, and connectivity that is fundamental to living systems.

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“Together We Can Know More” Collective wisdom takes us a step further from the “wisdom of crowds,” suggesting a latent wisdom exists in groups when authenticity, respect, and genuine engagement are promoted.

“Collective Wisdom Involves A Different Way Of Knowing” Collective wisdom involves intuition, sensation, and spirit. One of the foundational concepts of collective wisdom is that along with literal, linear, and rational ways of understanding, wisdom arises from a different kind of awareness. From this alternative awareness we are far more capable as individuals and in groups to recognize patterns, cultivate positive emotions, and perceive “pinch points” that might disrupt the movement toward new insights and creative resolution of conflicts.

“Safety for Reflection, Inquiry, and Deep Listening Are Essential For Developing Collective Wisdom” Central to collective wisdom is the ability for individuals and groups to hold in mind apparently opposing ideas, to resolve deep seated conflicts, and to arrive at new ideas that are nourished from within each individual and arise from the group itself. Safety for reflection, inquiry, and deep listening are examples of key conditions that foster the possibility for collective wisdom to arise.

“Digression To Stupidity” We cannot talk long about collective wisdom without acknowledging the long and painful history of aggression, war, and oppressive behavior in groups. Collective stupidity can be a result of individuals giving up or deferring their own internal sensing of what is right, true, and of lasting value. We do this for many reasons including fear of not really knowing our own thoughts and fear of others, especially those who have power over us. Inversely, collective wisdom is the power of generating answers from within, allowing individuals the space to make best use of their own reflections and the groupís capacity to make best use of its members.

“Changing How We Think About Leading and Following” Groups are inclined toward stupidity the more they believe an answer lies outside themselves, including a belief that an answer lies with the leader. This form of ìprojectionî carries penalties whether the projection is positive or negative. We defer our own wisdom at great cost, becoming dependent on an outside figure for answers and increasingly divided in our opposition or loyalty.

Inversely, when a leader brings attention to the challenges and complexity that are inherent to the circumstances a group faces together, group members can begin to bring their own unique talents and special qualities. The group as a whole can become more sophisticated as the reflective capacity deepens and new possibilities are surfaced. We return to the world with insights grounded in spirit and aided by perceiving a larger whole.

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Leadership: Proving You Can Do Well by Doing Good

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The TLGS were founded with the belief that business and organizations are the conduit and delivery system through which a global renaissance is occurring. Our Friday, February 2 TLG with David Reiling, CEO, Sunrise Banks, exemplified this belief. University Bank’s mission is to be “The Leader in Improving Our Urban Community.” Global change starts locally.

Besides offering a bridge and hand extended to the community, mentoring and leading by example seem to have been core themes throughout David's journey to where he is now. A further ah-ha! came with on-the-ground-learning and empathy: “I soon found out that my job had nothing to do with banking, and everything to do with caring for my customers.”

In his role as CEO, his greatest challenge is to standardize the culture of respect fostered at University Bank. “Getting the staff involved in the community is key. It’s amazing to see the fears and misunderstandings melt away. Before you know it, we’re not looking at the differences between us but how we can help each other.”

Using the organization as the fostering organism, it's a "pay-it-forward" philosophy that creates a loop of generativity for the organization that is good for the individual and community.

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Gender Myths

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I was honored to host an engaging conversation with longtime Heartland friend Marilyn Mason on the topic of one of her passions: Gender Myths: how the myths of gender block our spiritual and professional growth. As we all know, this isn't just about gender, but it was a good place to start.

According to Marilyn, the glass ceiling is actually in the foundation, the walls, the floor. Men and women are bound by simple stereotypes that we’re often unaware of. What are some of the simple ways to create change? One suggestion is to create a Vital life vs. a Balanced life—one that includes mentoring or being mentored, appreciation and support of those we work with, creating opportunities for each of us to thrive.

How to turn the baggage into value? By committing to an awareness of common misperceptions or limitations that hold each other and ourselves back from being in relationship with those around us. Because as Marilyn notes, personal and professional growth occurs best within relationship.

What does this have to do with bringing more of ourselves to work? Knowing what is propelling people to change: 65% of people leave the workplace because they don’t feel appreciated to show up in their full capacity. If you're thinking employee engagement or talent retention, this conversation matters.

Engagedly yours -Patricia Neal

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Making Your Contribution in Powerful Times

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From Bay Area team member Amy Lenzo, as posted on her journal, Beauty Dialogues:

We just finished another amazing Thought Leader Gathering on Friday, produced by the west coast Restoring Wholeness team of Heartland Circle, Resonance and myself - this one was held in San Francisco, in the Golden Gate Officer's Club at the Presidio.

Our conversation starter (so called because rather than a keynote speaker or presenter, their words are truly a spark to fire the group conversation) was Eamonn Kelly, CEO of the Global Business Network.

Eammon's perspective about the state of the world (outlined in his excellent new book, Powerful Times) was in complete accordance with my own, but he used such a different analytical matrix to get there that it had the effect of blowing the top off my conceptual limits and letting in more light, illuminating my understanding with different hues than I am usually aware of. I heard variations of this opening and quickening in others as we engaged with Eamonn's words in small group and whole circle conversations.

The group assembled for this TLG was one of our largest ever - 57 of us sitting in a circle around a centerpiece of beauty created by Pele Rouge of Resonance. We had to lean in a bit to hear each other at first, but with our 'outdoor voices' on it was soon effortless and the morning's experience was extremely full and rewarding, in the unique way this event has of creating magic for us all.

I am continually awed by what happens in these sessions... it seems that no matter who the conversation starter is, who shows up, what the weather or external conditions are, there is always 'something' that occurs to make the morning seem like a special gift to each of us. I have the feeling this one will be reverberating in me for some time...

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Christopher Avery

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Teamwork Is An Individual Skill
Our recent VisionHolder, Christopher Avery asked us....
"What must we do together that is larger than any of us, requires all of us, and none of us can claim individual victory until it is done?" In his book, Teamwork Is An Individual Skill,  he writes that this is the first of five conversations that a successfull team must have. It addresses the question: What is our task? And satisfies the requirement that a team is a group of people brought together around a common goal or purpose. When a group is held in this conversation until they approach a shared clarity about the answer, then a remarkable shift in behavior begins organically and spontaneously. See more on Chris's Responsibility Process by clicking below....

About the Responsibility Process™
The Responsibility Process shows the mental path by which we avoid and take ownership for problems–i.e., how we avoid or take responsibility.

A break-through performance advantage for leadership, teamwork, growth, and change, the Responsibility Process demonstrates that responsibility is not merely a personality trait but instead is a learnable mental process that anyone can develop, any leader can tap into, and any culture can cultivate.

WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO RESPONSIBILITY™?
The keys to mastering Responsibility are:

1. Intention – a mindset to operate from the mental position of Responsibility.
2. Awareness – of when you are avoiding ownership so you can catch yourself.
3. Confront – facing yourself and the truth about the effects of avoiding ownership.

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Jane Barrash, VisionHolder

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Bringing new consciousness to the streets and the board rooms...
To say Jane is dynamic is like saying fire is hot! She is an irrepressible field of energy dedicated to bringing a new consicousness of interconnectedness and awareness to every facet of her life and others lives. She's delivering her Discovery of Life program in high schools, prisons, corporations and anywhere there is a willingness for new thought and discovery.

For 28 years, the Continuum Center has been at the forefront of new thought and cutting-edge research from fields including quantum physics, medicine, neuroscience, and the teachings from Native American, West African, East Indian, Asian and Tibetan cultures. As Executive Director of Continuum Center for 20 years, Jane has many stories of the emergence of the field of new leadership, new thought, new ways of being, consciousness and the nature of reality.

Listen to the VisionHolder Call with Jane on the left and post your comments below.

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Leader as Conduit

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"I'm going to begin the morning by asking us to hold the intention of creating powerful, sacred space together. Now I want those intentions to become alive in the circle, to make them manifest."

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The December Minnesota Thought Leader Gathering welcomed Mary Hamann-Roland, Mayor of Apple Valley. We were pleased to be hosted by the folks at Twin City Co-ops Federal Credit Union, longtime friends of Mary and Heartland.

"The future is calling us to use our imaginations, to think differently, to create abundance, because it's already here. like Michaelangelo said, "It's already here—all we have to do is to chisel away and sculpt it together.

When we focus our intentions and share our gifts, we make a difference.  When things are hard, use that as the fertile ground to create what you really desire and want. Take that energy and turn it into the abundance."

We used the morning together to explore intention. The Wisdom Circle topics were:

•    What is your life intention?

•    How are you in relation to your life intention?

Powerful and challenging questions that created some of the best circle conversation ever. What i noticed in the small groups is that even though most of us feel as though we are intentional people, living intentional lives, the opportunity to reflect created an edge and focus.

Many thanks to Mary for a generative, juicy conversation.

-Patricia

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Welcome!

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...to the Heartland Circle™ Journal. Chronicling the pulse of Heartland’s unique VisionHolder and Thought Leader network: current writings from Heartland, our VisionHolders, upcoming events, programs. Use the blog to 1-register for upcoming programs, such as the next VisionHolder Call (free), 2-listen to a past call (on the left), 3-check out our featured book (on the right).

Come gather round to learn, connect, express yourself and navigate the Heartland Circle™ Community. Join us on this journey of shared hearts and minds as we make our way together. You have the opportunity to fully participate in exploring ways to support, inspire, inform and interact with each other.

Claim your place at the fire, take your time, look around....

For an overview of the blog, use the 'ABOUT Heartland & this Blog" link (left column), and if you'd like help navigating this new format, check the 'How To' links (right column).

Please share your own musings in response to my posts or those of others... Let's use this space to ask the deeper questions & create the understandings that unleash the beauty and brilliance of this community!

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Mark Thompson

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Success Built to Last: Creating a Life that Matter
Spending time with Mark is like having a conversation about the really big issues of life with a dear friend while driving with the top down...like SUCCESS, love, passion and meaning along with making a buck and leaving an enduring legacy!!! Whew.

He's written a new book with Stewart Emery,of EST and Actualizations fame,and Jerry Poris, co-author with Jim Collins of the wildly famous Built to Last, about what makes for enduring success, how do you make for a sustainable life?

I've never seen a line up of endorsements of high profile global leaders for a book before. so whats up? seems he's hung the book around 3 core principles: Meaning - Passion - Action...

MEANING- making a difference for the sake of service, One thing that does last is love and meaning.

PASSION we do it despite what it gets done. a portfolio of passions.

ACTION- getting it all done!

What do you think? listen to the audio link to the left and weigh in on your definition of success in your life.

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Moral Intelligence

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Integrity - Responsibility - Compassion - Forgiveness
An amazing in-depth conversation with Fred Kiel, co-author Moral Intelligence. Moral intelligence as a distinct intelligence is new to the playing field and is unfolding to be a vast subject. Moral intelligence is our mental capacity to determine how universal human principles - like those embodied by the 'golden rule' - should be applied to our personal values, goals, and actions. "MI" focuses on four principles that are vital for sustained personal and organization success:
reflecting the head: Integrity - Responsibility
reflecting the heart: Compassion - Forgiveness.

• Why is this important in our work and lives? what are the implications?...
• New Directions from Fred and Doug - exciting new website...

More on Fred Kiel...

The big decisions that face us all globally are probably in the hands of the leaders of large business organizations.
-Integrity: if these leaders want a workforce that trust them, integrity must be present.
-Responsibility: they might also want a workforce that is inspired to take personal responsibility for themselves and, possibly, the larger world.
-Forgiveness: if you want a creative workforce, you must have forgiveness.
-Compassion: if you want to retain your workforce, you must have compassion.

There seem to be areas of the brain dedicated to moral reasoning: We are born to be moral. if parenting/support is good enough, people will grow up to have the natural capacity to be moral.

Questions discussed: How were the four universal principles chosen? What is the organizational impact of grounding the culture and leadership with the four universal principles? Is there any real evidence that “character based” businesses do better than ones that aren’t? (THE ANSWER IS YES!!)

http://www.moralcompass.com—online as of 9/15
2nd Book coming from Fred and Doug: "What CEOs Believe and the Impact on the Bottom Line"

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Margaret Lulic- Corporate Philosopher

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Our VisionHolder Interview with Margaret on Thursday was a unique window into the context and theory of Spiral Dynamic along with her applications in board and consulting work. Margaret took us through a brief yet potent "primer" on the various levels and colors of the spiral..here is what many of the caller had to say following the session. Listen to the Audio link to the right and let us know what you think....

"Her explanation of how to encourage everyone in a group to simultaneousy explore different perspectives as a collective, thus encouraging everyone to think in different paradigms and develop different perspectives, reminded me of a similar techniqe used in deBono's 6 Hats typology, and was a useful, practical strategy to remember and put to use."

"Two great take-aways: the idea of stacking in a unique and individul way, around centers of gravity, with the underlying notion of spiral movement; also the asking others where they are rather than judging and placing.  The discussion around diversity as well as the answer to how to bring people into the conversation without imposing empirical knowkedge of the structure.    Much to apply in how I convene, as well as how I communicate.  More dimensions to dialogue."

"I didn't know anything about spiral dynamics, so it was very interesting.  It seems to relate to the chakras and evolution of consciousness.    Use the information as another means of understanding the basis/origin of people's concerns, especially when they are distressed or in interpersonal conflict."

"Her extraordinarily lucid description of Spiral Dynamics and her examples of how she uses this framework in her work took my appreciation and interest to a much higher level."

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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view

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“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading tothe most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. May your rivers flow without end, meandering through pastoral valleys tinkling with bells, past temples and castles and poets' towers into a dark primeval forest where tigers belch and monkeys howl, through miasmal and mysterious swamps and down into a desert of red rock, blue mesas, domes and pinnacles and grottos of endless stone,...

and down again into a deep vast ancient unknown chasm where bars of sunlight blaze on profiled cliffs, where deer walk across the white sand beaches, where storms come and go as lightning clangs upon the high crags, where something strange and more beautiful and more full of wonder than your deepest dreams waits for you -- beyond that next turning of the canyon walls." - Edward Abbey

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The Great Remembering: An African Journey Home

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Last night I interviewed Craig, my Heartland partner and husband of 26 years, following his recent trip to Tanzania, Africa. The trip with 13 men over 50 years old, led by old friend Richard Leider, was a watershed journey into his emerging elderhood as well as surprise "inventure" into a deep remembering into his humanhood. Caig kicked off the session saying........

We’ve all had those moments of awakening or remembering, some fleeting as if from a dream, where we know and feel connected in a visceral sense to all things, human and otherwise. Then, most of us return to the “real world” where day-to-day life resumes. What if these moments were the reality in which we were born to live, and that what if these episodes are the great remembering of what it truly is to be human?

My recent trip to east Africa, the birthplace of humanity, was one such moment in time, when the journey to a far off place brought forward a deep remembering of innocence, and connection to all things.

Craig's connection to the land and the people who have inhabited and known the land for over 4000 years was ground-shaking for him because it brought him squarely to the question of being, remembering, connection.

What is it you wish to remember about who you are, why you are here, and to whom or what you belong?

Patricia Neal

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