Examine Elected Officials ACTIONS - Not Promises/ Rhetoric

All too often, voters have elected politicians, based on their promises, and rhetoric, and other, rather meaningless (in the bigger - picture) issues, rather than focusing on whether, they demonstrate a willingness, to create a well - considered, action plan, and strategy, to get things done, which might make a relevant, sustainable difference, for the better! It's not about what someone says, which should make a difference, but, rather, what he seeks to achieve, his motivations (is it about the politician's personal/ political agenda, and/ or self - interest), and whether he has the experience, knowledge, judgment, and other necessities, to lead effectively. We must look at the overall quality and relevance of one's ACTIONS, rather than promises, and rhetoric! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly examine, consider, review, and discuss, using the mnemonic approach, some of the elements and necessities of leading, for all the people.

1. Attention; attitude; aptitude; articulate: Shouldn't a public official's focus, and attention, be on serving all the people? In November, 2016, the United States elected Donald Trump, to become the 45th President of this nation. Does his attitude, which seems to be focused, on his core supporters, and excluding many others, seem to be, in the best interests of the people? Unlike his predecessors, Mr. Trump, had no previous public service, and, many of his backers, seemed to pay little attention, on whether he had the aptitude, judgment, experience, and expertise, to proceed, wisely, and in a relevant, sustainable way. This President, certainly articulates his message (although, often in a conflicting way), but is that message, focused on the common good?

2. Creative; cooperative; character: Rather than seeking to Make America Great Again, wouldn't we all, be better served, if there was creative leadership, focused on the best way to make America, maintain its focus and emphasis, into the future? We need leaders, who focus on the cooperative approach, rather than a polarizing one! We should expect elected officials, to exhibit the quality character, to focus on what's best, for those he serves, rather than any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

3. Timely: Rather than fixating on the past, because everything looks better, in black - and - white, we should elect individuals, willing to fully consider options and alternatives, and, consistently, produce timely action!

4. Intentions; imagination; integrity; ideas; ideology: When voting, consider a candidate's intentions, and whether he possesses, both a well - developed, relevant imagination, as well as absolute integrity, based on the ideology, framed by our Constitution, of this nation!

5. Open - minded; options; opportunities: Avoid electing people, with the, My way or the highway, mindsets, and are ready, willing and able, to proceed, with an open - mind, and a willingness to consider the options and alternatives, and be prepared to take advantage of the finest opportunities!

6. Needs: Whose needs, does the particular leader, prioritize - his own, or those he serves and represents? Opt for someone, who puts the needs of the nation, ahead of any personal/ political agenda, and/ or, self - interest!

7. Service; system; sustainable solutions: The priority of anyone elected, should be, quality service, to both, his constituents (all of them), as well as his nation! He must perceive and conceive of, create, develop, and implement, the best system, to achieve, relevant, sustainable solutions! 

Wake up. America, and assume your personal responsibility, for voting, and doing so, wisely! Don't blame others, but proceed, with judgment, rather than apathy!

What Should Be A Leader's QUEST?

The Man of La Mancha, famously, included the song, which included, the lyrics, This is my quest! Few of us, however, consider how essential, the focus of one's QUEST, is, on the eventual quality and effectiveness, of one's leadership! How an individual believes, and what he seeks to achieve, including his dedication, and reasons, for wanting to lead, are significant, to the end - result! A true leader, nearly always, possesses a vibrant, vital vision, which inspires and motivates, not only others, but himself, so he persists, regardless of the obstacles, perceiving these to be challenges, rather than problems! With that in mind, this article will attempt to briefly consider, examine, and review, using the mnemonic approach, some of these necessities, and why it matters.

1. Quality; question; qualm fears: The true leader does not accept, merely doing something, but, rather, seeks to proceed, with the utmost commitment, to quality! He questions, the way things are, but focuses, on how they should be, and the best path, to get there! When others believe in a leader, he becomes, more capable, of proceeding, in a way, where he is able to qualm fears, and doubts, and inspires and motivates, others, by demonstrating, why his strategy, makes sense, to constituents, and the overall organization!

2. Useful; usable: Why become a leader, if your focus, and emphasis, and personal goals, are not useful, to making the group, more relevant and sustainable? Every idea, and strategy, should aim to be, usable, so they make a difference, for the better!

3. Empathy; emphasis; excellence; energize; endurance: It's important to recognize, one does not lead, in a vacuum, and therefore, it's important to listen effectively, and learn, the priorities, needs, and desires, of constituents, in order to proceed with the utmost degree of genuine empathy! This must direct where to place one's emphasis, in order to produce quality and excellence, which will energize, the stakeholders, to make the organization, become the best, it can be! Because there are always obstacles, a true leader must possess endurance, to persist, when the rest - of - the - pack, stops trying!

4. Service; system; sustainable solutions: How will you develop a quality system, to achieve the objective, of providing the best service, to others? Your aim must be, to proceed forward, and do so, in both, a relevant way, and to introduce, develop, and implement, the finest, sustainable solutions!

5. Timely; trendsetter: To make a difference, which counts, a leader must make well - considered, timely decisions, and create a meaningful action plan! Rather than remaining within the self - imposed limitations, of one's comfort zone, one's quest must include, the willingness, to be a true trendsetter!

Why do you believe, you should be a leader? What is your QUEST? 

Replacing Reasoning With Rhetoric Doesn't Make You Right!

After more than three decades of consulting to numerous industries and not-for-profit organizations on a variety of topics and subjects, including management, marketing, leadership, operations, conference and convention planning, negotiations, etc., I have come to recognize that most businesses and organizations suffer from the safe recurrent obstacle, when it comes to getting something accomplished. Especially in the last several years, it has become commonplace and, almost fashionable, for leaders to replace the important fundamentals required for effectively reasoning, with lots of rhetoric and "techno-jargon."

When I am listening to a person in a leadership position who finds it necessary to constantly intersperse jargon and rhetoric into the conversation, it sets off an almost "early warning system" in my brain, that this "leader" probably doesn't have a clue. Common rhetorical "warning" words include: anything to do with "governance" if it is referred to as a major priority; any reference to "managerial style" if used as an explanation for why someone will not take action; excessive use of the term, "micromanage" as something that is evil and must be avoided; an over-dependence on "delegating" responsibilities; a constant reference to "reviews" (especially if the individual refers to a specific method); constantly saying something like "staff-driven;" and especially when someone says, "I don't like to interfere," or "It's not my style," or "I'm not comfortable doing that."

Another area that is extremely disconcerting, in the last few years, is the tendency for volunteer fiscal officers to be unprepared or under-prepared as to the necessities of the position. Effective organizations create specific training programs and orientations for all new officers with any type of either fiscal responsibility or oversight.

One of the biggest obstacles that organizations today face is that far too few of their "leaders" are capable of seeing "the big picture." They often over-estimate or under-estimate situations, but all too rarely put things in their proper proportions. These individuals often demonstrate very little perception, and even less attention to detail, or follow through. Basically, these individuals repeat their rhetoric so often that they "buy into the hype," and replace reasoning with rhetoric, and this almost invariably leads to a lack of reasoning. Just because someone uses certain rhetoric and jargon does not make them right!

Many wonder why so many organizations are undergoing such difficult times today. While there are many factors involved, including economic conditions, sociological factors, time utilization, etc., those organizations that strive to make themselves relevant and a priority continue to thrive. Any organization that wishes to thrive must examine itself fully and the way it operates, and spends money, etc., but, even more importantly must emphasize training its present and future leaders on what it really means to lead.