Leadership for change PART II:
As you have seen in “Leadership for change” part one, this needs to become an important aspect of our community structure in all areas of life. Here is the acronym that I believe summarizes this topic:
(five major points with five additional characteristics that define leadership)
Learning Enthusiastically
Appreciating Diversity
Encouraging Relationships
Sharing Hospitality
Inspiring People.
I would add to this opening another great acronym that came from several of my coaches over the years to strengthen my personal resolve and focus even now in retirement at age seventy two; TEAM (Together Everyone Accomplishes More). With modern accessories for communication and the proliferation of more devastating tools for destruction, we need to adopt newer methods for working together and solving problems in our world today. With the increase in new technology and the specialization in every field of knowledge we can no longer tolerate the notion of singularity. One is not only a lonely number but it is increasing dangerous for any one to assume they know it all. If we do not learn to share and interact with one another there may be no hope for peace.
My cousin, who retired as a Colonel from the Army and now works for State Government, passed on the article “DIME” to me. Perhaps it suggests ways that our National leadership might arrange their priorities in leadership by using: DIME – (Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic). In talking with my cousin and reading the articles forwarded to me, we may be able to recommend that our strategic priorities should be different. Here is one of the articles Mark sent to me:
Does the U.S. Rely Too Much on Military Power?
Balancing the Elements of National Power - Aug 10, 2008 Greg Reeson
The U.S. should invest more in other elements of national power, but not to the point where the capability of the American military is degraded.
Writing in the New York Times, today, columnist Nicholas D. Kristof argued that the United States was relying too much on its military power in the conduct of its national foreign policy and not enough on diplomatic efforts with other nations.
Questioning Priorities
In support of his argument, Mr. Kristof notes that the Army continues to add soldiers to its congressionally authorized end strength while the American Foreign Service is woefully understaffed, with congress refusing to fund the hire of additional diplomatic personnel. More than one thousand new diplomats could be employed, Mr. Kristof says, for the cost of one C-17, the Air Force’s most modern cargo aircraft.
By focusing too heavily on the military element of national power, Kristof says, the United States antagonizes much of the rest of the world by emphasizing force over dialogue.
A Holistic Approach
Mr. Kristof is right in one sense. The United States should not be focusing solely, or even predominantly on its military. This does not mean that the military element of national power is not important. It most certainly is. But the other elements of national power must be included in our execution of foreign policy in a world beset with problems and conflict.
Traditionally, the elements of national power are classified using the acronym DIME, for Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic. Some have, in recent years, added Law Enforcement to the equation. Each of these elements is important to the overall achievement of U.S. national security interests.
While Mr. Kristof is right that U.S. diplomatic efforts are woefully lacking, equal attention must be paid to the information element, which conveys America’s message abroad and helps us fight the “war of ideas,” and the economic element, which facilitates trade and can be used punitively against non-responsible international actors.
Law enforcement efforts, too, must be bolstered, especially in the area of international police cooperation and information sharing. The law enforcement element of national power will become increasingly important as the United States continues to fight global terrorism for decades to come.
Don’t Ignore Military
But while doling out federal resources to the various elements of national power, it is important to not let diplomatic, information, economic, and law enforcement resources be increased at the expense of the U.S. military.
The seven years since the 9/11 attacks have made one thing abundantly clear: American military forces will be actively engaged around the world for a very long time. Whether it’s the continuing fights in Afghanistan and Iraq, or counter terror operations in the Philippines, small wars, or guerrilla-type insurgencies will remain a reality for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, the United States must keep its military ready for a conventional war against a steadily rising China that is investing heavily in modernizing its military, or against a resurgent Russia that is currently flexing its muscle against the former Soviet republic of Georgia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
A thorough assessment must be made for the prioritization of resources among all the elements of national power. But the United States cannot afford to do so in a manner that dilutes the most powerful military in the world.[i]
Obviously leadership is not easy and there are no single, one size fits all, solution to most of our present day situations. What I believe is most vital today is a comprehensive understanding and a collaborative exercise of LEADERSHIP and TEAM. The notion of winning and loosing only brings more loss and destruction in a similar manner to war. I hope that we have begun to learn that violence only breeds more violence and hardly solutions. It is important that we first work hard at using diplomacy and information to forge a safe and congenial way to solve problems and not power or coercion. The way we often use the noun Power is usually not its primary definition but one of the lesser or sub meanings. Power is primarily the “ability to act or produce and effect”, not necessarily the 2nd and 3rd definitions as noted in the dictionary.
Power:[ii]
1. ability to act or produce an effect
2. possession of control, authority, or influence over others
3. a : physical might b : mental or moral efficacy c : political control or influence
When we associate power with LEADERSHIP, TEAM, and DIME we should be thinking about our abilities and actions to effect and produce a productive end. To associate leadership, team, or dime with “possession of control”, “authority”, “influence over others”, “physical might” or “political control” is to weaken the higher calling of what really always brings positive, lasting and beneficial change. The highest form of power is constructive action. The best TEAM is made up of LEADERS who articulate DIME.
D - diplomat or diplomacy - 1: the art and practice of conducting negotiations between
nations
2: skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility : tact
I – information – 1: the communication or reception of knowledge or intelligence
2: knowledge
obtained from investigation, study, or instruction
M – military – related to soldiers , of or related to an army
E – economic – relating to the economy, or money management
Broadly interpreted the concept of DIME can be appropriately related to leadership and team. Leaders need to develop skills in relationships, especially with those members functioning as a team. Information is primary and central to almost anyone’s life or venture, especially if one espouses to leadership, and is essential to the development of a strong and productive team. Progress and success relies upon determination, strength and persistence that is typical to any winning army except perhaps the use of physical force. I remember this quote from Albert Einstein, "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war."[iii] A true leader uses all that is implied in the acronym of LEADERSHIP in order to inspire and image for their TEAM the qualities that bring people together without aggression and conflict. Economic resources and the management of money are basic to make possible almost every worthwhile venture.
My cousin also sent me to a website from the army, “Corps of Discovery – United States Army”[iv]. Most people believe that we need our military forces but, like me, they may not understand the full scope and mission to which they aspire. In the section marked “Mission” I discovered “The Seven Army Values”[v] that I found inspiring and relevant to subject. Here is a brief list of those values:
1. Loyalty
2. Duty
3. Respect
4. Selfless Service
5. Honor
6. Integrity
7. Personal Courage
I would encourage you to read the full website and especially their section on values as noted in the footnotes.
We understand that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction according to Physics. The Scripture advises; “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says”.[vi] Leadership, as we have said, begins with listening and learning with enthusiasm and continues with a variety of constructive tools for action and doing. Leadership without those qualities is deceptive and unproductive. The leaders within the team will enjoy learning, be open to diversity, encouraging relationships, inspiring one another with genuine hospitality. These are the operatives that inspire people and enable them to go beyond the norm.
This, to me, is what we should be doing in 21st century Evangelism! Knowing God’s love for all people, in all times, and in all places we should be encouraging one another to put this grace into action by becoming leaders. As leaders we need to come together in forming specialized teams for constructing change in all areas of life. With so many challenges in today’s world we need multiple teams of leaders to catch up and move toward the future. The United States was part of 192 countries when the United Nations committed themselves to these Millennium Development Goals by 2015 to:
§ 1) eradicate extreme poverty and hunger;
§ 2) achieve universal primary education;
§ 3) promote gender equality and empower women;
§ 4) reduce child mortality;
§ 5) improve maternal health;
§ 6) reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases;
§ 7) ensure environmental sustainability;
§ 8) and develop a global partnership for development.
The Episcopal Church, along with many other denominations, has joined in making this commitment. Because these goals will not happen without action on the part of many people, perhaps we should each think of creative ways to participate locally in the MDC goals. The leadership roll of each individual person teaming up with others is the only realistic way to make these essential needs happen.
Almost everyone talks about and wishes for world peace. To me the only way that peace will happen is when people practice PEACE in this manner: People Energizing Alternatives Causing Equality. All religious faiths teach us that we are to be peacemakers. It is clear to me that peace will only come one person at a time joining together in leadership teams for healing our world.
May the caring peace of God that goes beyond human comprehension, declare God’s love for you in your heart and mind as we see it in Jesus Christ; and may the blessing of God, loving Creator, gracious Liberator, and life giving Spirit keep you steadfast now and always. Amen.
