Although we may view our celebration of Memorial Day as the unofficial start of summer, we need to appreciate that our remembrance of Memorial Day signifies that our society does not forget those who have given life and limb so that our culture cannot just sustain but grow in respect for all humanity.
Next Monday we again pause the speed of business to take time to remember those who have gone before us in the effort to protect our great nation and the freedoms we enjoy. For some this is just another holiday. Businesses are not open, and people get time to be with friends and family. Some travel to weekend getaways while others work around the home getting it spring ready.
The hardest thing for people to do is authentically forgive others of wrong doings. Whether real or perceived wrongs, if as a culture we can forgive as a key step to kindling relationships we would grow closer and more respectful of each and every member of society.
In the world of business, the company moves from startup to mature to perpetuation. There is typically only a single time the company is in the start up phase and one time it moves into perpetuation or exit phase. While in the mature phase it may swing back and forth from trending like a startup or perpetuation as it navigates the changes in the marketplace. In this mature phase in order to be scalable and sustainable the business MUST reinvent itself through innovative thinking, actions and products and services.
Culture is far more than food, drink, dress, and special customs. These are definitely part of our culture, but we must look deep inside ourselves to find our true nature and culture. For our culture includes how we look at and support the people and relationships of our world. To understand culture, we must understand each other. Our strengths, our weaknesses and everything in between.
In a business world confused by many distractions, it is time for leaders to be exactly that – lead by good example. The society at large is filled with many people who take on the cloak of being a ”Role Model.” Not necessarily because they model something of value to the society but more so because of a talent they demonstrate which others dream about possessing. This artificial role modeling is very prevalent in the sports world. Athletes who have been gifted some unique athletic skills behave on other platforms as if they have similar skills or expertise on more worldly challenges.
When we look at our current society, we can either see goodness or identify areas where we have potential for growth to be even better. To appreciate the opportunities for improvement we cannot try to change or discard our past. We must learn from it by preserving it and then building better practices upon our history rather than tossing it aside and thinking it never happened.
The pace of business evolves at an ever-increasing rate. Technology and its’ speed influence our ability to control our reactions. Communications that once took days if not weeks to move across the country now happen almost instantaneously. Gossip and opinion which maybe started on one floor of the office building and trickled down, up, or across over the next few hours or days now takes place immediately. All this speed has both great opportunity and significant challenges associated with it.
The tapestry of culture which makes up our society is something we must celebrate. The diversity of all the various elements of different people, languages and customs become alive in our celebrations where each one stands alone but together in an all-encompassing society of goodness.