Here’s the email I wrote to Leadership Reno County alums today, 12/9/13: So it’s been a couple of weeks and I thought I’d check back in. First off, I might remind you that I’ve been writing about how there is a huge gap between our current reality and our expectations. Part of my contention was that bridging the gap between those challenges we face and where we’d like them to be takes us acting different. It requires us to engage in an act of leadership, which will help move people to difficult work. We talked a bit about authority and how anyone can lead, anytime, anywhere; it’s not just the most gifted people at the table that can bridge the gaps you see in your reality. We also mentioned how these acts of leadership start with you and engage others. Too often, we’re sitting waiting for someone else to act not realizing that we have the capability to engage. Today, I want us to think about the gap and how a clear purpose helps our way of behaving in the gap. You might recognize that sometimes the gap is a scary place. People of all different political stripes and spectrums think that engaging in the gap requires this or that. In other words, progress may look different to different people. Moving from our current reality to make things better needs a clear purpose. This way, the focus isn’t on the change but on the purpose. This is hard to do. We want to focus in our results and effects. But, if we spent more time thinking purposefully about our engagement, I believe we’d make more progress. So, today, take this idea out for a spin by clearly articulating why you do what you do. And why is that true? And why do you that? And why is that so important? Press those why questions and see if you get at a purpose that isn’t so disagreeable as much as something that must be pursued at all costs. Seeking to be purposeful with you….
