I am delighted to come across a blog by Helge Hellberg an apparent leader in his field and the organic movement.  After a panel discussion of the film Food, Inc. , Helge reflects on his participation and leaves us with the realization that  - through being judgmental and reactive we may actually become an obstacle to the very thing we are trying to understand and change.

“And who are we to display the organic movement as the solution and the food industry as the evil “other”, when it is all about engagement and integration and changing things by becoming a part of it, because, truly, we are already a part of it?”

We have all heard that “we need to become the change we are trying to envision.”  Yet, how do we do this unless we develop the internal capacity to embrace difference; the “good” and the “bad,” the “ugly” and “the pretty,” or “what we hope for” and “what we fear?”

Settling our thinking, our behaviors and decisions simply by addressing one side of the equation, as Helge reminds us, perpetuates the struggle of “my way” is better than “your way,” or simply “self vs. other.” With training and practice we can develop a capacity for difference. This capacity allows for ambivalence and moves the struggle as perceived externally into a more global and holistic perspective, when managed internally. We can actually develop an “evolutionary capacity” that holds and facilitates authentic change. One side of the equation does not have to defeat the other side. In fact it is an equation that informs us of all the variables that are necessary to be whole.

Holding an Evolutionary Capacity is one of the true expressions of leadership. How do we lead, ourselves and those who depend on us, into the complexity and the contradictory nature of life? How do we greet a life that is so full of challenge? And how do we do this with a heart that both envisions possibility and love of life while at other times shrinks from the suffering we experience and the fear of what is to come?

If we recognize that what we are trying to change is already a part of us and not something separate, would it make a difference in the decisions we make and how we make them? Please take a look at Helge Hellberg’s blog and the community that seems to be working diligently to develop this Evolutionary Capacity. For more, please contact me at: tim@drtimothydukes.com.

There is such an extraordinary value to allowing silence to be a part of our every day practice. Find the time, inside of your business day, and “choose” to be in stillness. Take a moment. Stop and listen to the inside and the outside. Simply sit without being compelled to move to the next thought or action. Allow silence.

Later, notice if your performance is affected. Is your mind clearer? Does your energy level change? Has your ability to listen deepened?

Film: http://www.purposeprinciple.com/

Follow Kevin Doherty’ work and insights on Twitter:  http://twitter.com/Kevin_S_Doherty

What strikes me about this film is the authentic and collective voice of leadership. In my opinion, individually and together these leaders recognize that to ensure the sustainability of their businesses, they have to participate in a cycle of generosity: they benefit by the coffee they receive from growers as they ensure that these growers will be able to continue to produce their products. Coffee Kids
About the Video:

“This video served initially as a mechanism to reach an audience at the SCAA convention. It had to be short, succinct and immediately on message. Not only did we achieve that… we have been able to use this video as an outreach and fundraising tool ever since,” said Carolyn Fairman, Executive Director of Coffee Kids. “The team did an excellent job of capturing the nuances of our mission and communicating what makes us unique.”

About its Production

 Josh Backer , the creative director and filmmaker, speaking about his production company: “Animal Studio has always operated on the principal of working collaboratively and utilizing new technology to maximize creative output. By design, we have created a studio that can produce high end work, typically found only in markets used to paying a premium for good strategy, creative and execution. The pipeline we have created for projects – our work flow – the people we bring together and the way we do it – this is something that goes into every project. It’s just who we are.” (read more)

“A leader is best

When people barely know that he exists.

Of a good leader, who talks little,

When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,

They will say, “We did this ourselves.”

                                                      Tao Te  Ching (Chapter 17)

When does the foundation of leadership form?

Rhode Island School of Design students talk about the many meanings of “leadership” on the RISD campus. (Courtesy of Animal Studios)

Somtimes we find that an idea or  behavior becomes viral; other catch on quickly when what is needed in a situation begins to emerge.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jedd2FiZTqM

I want to ask you to imagine sitting in your meeting today, or one in the near future. Can you consciously make room for the other? You know, that quiet teammate who holds so much tension that you can’t help but find them irritating, or the one who overly compensates and jumps into the gap in defense of her managers, her behavior – more in service of controlling how she is perceived than adding value to your meeting.

Can you make room for these people without reacting or shutting down? Can you find a strategy to utilize them and leverage their talents verses reacting and contributing to counterproductive patterns? Can you move through your own considerations” leading” the process so that all who are involved are enhanced, outcomes achieved,  productivity increased? How much choice do you have?

Here is one way to bring more consciousness to such an opportunity/challenge. Right now, as you are reading this post, bring your awareness to your own body and close your eyes, taking three full breaths. Now with your eyes open find the predominate sensation in your body. Simply note this sensation and again breathe three times while relaxing the rest of the body. Now, allow your awareness to travel to another sensation that calls your attention, breath and relax. Notice if there is a shift in the quality of your attention and gently hold your awareness with these sensations predominate, breath and relax. Note that you can open your awareness now to include the context you are in while remaining aware of sensations, your body, the breath and the space around you.

While sustaining this attention, imagine that you are back in the meeting with your team. Gain a sense of the distance and the degrees of separation. Notice the space and discover with curiosity, canyou choose your response?

Practice this today.