Morning Minute 10/22/24:
“Do We Need More or Less Government?”
That is the primary question today for the citizens of the United States.
The answer to that question requires a look back at the writings of our founders:
George Washington: “Virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.” And, “Human rights can only be assured among a virtuous people.”
Benjamin Franklin: “Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”
James Madison: “To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical (imaginary) idea!”
Thomas Jefferson: “No government can continue good but under the control of the people, and their minds are to be informed by education of what is right and wrong; to be encouraged in the habits of virtue and to be deterred from those of vice.”
John Adams: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
Our freedom is not given to us by any worldly government. Our Declaration of Independence plainly states “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
If our rights and our freedom come from God, do we need more or less government? Based on our Declaration of Independence, and the writings of our founders, the answer is: “It depends!”
Virtue and morality are required for a free people to govern themselves with less government. Virtue is the conformity of one’s life and conduct to moral and ethical standards, including honesty, integrity, responsibility, and being of good character. Morality is defined by our Creator, who gave us the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. His standard of morality is shared with us in His book, the Bible.
People, being of good character, who are virtuous and moral, are capable of governing themselves. They do NOT require an ever-expanding government to explain what is right and wrong. Those who live their lives without good character, who are dishonest, immoral, and irresponsible, who conduct their lives ignoring the standards of virtue as shared in the Bible, will always require more government. And where more government is required, you will find more corruption and dishonesty from those who run it.
This answer does not mean that you must be perfect to be capable of self-government. Because we are all human, we will make mistakes, sometimes follow the wrong path, and cause pain and suffering to others. Good character requires that we admit our mistakes, reform our actions, and strive to hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Thus, the answer to our need for more or less government is wholly dependent on our personal virtue, character, and morality. And, that of our fellow citizens!
“Do We Need More or Less Government?”
That is today’s Morning Minute.
Morning Minute 10/22/24:
“Adjust Your Methods, Not Your Standards!”
In your quest to build a great team, circumstances will require that you make changes in order to continue your progress. Make sure that the changes you make are in alignment with your personal and professional standards.
For instance, when you make a personnel change, how you coach the new person should be in alignment with how he/she processes information. The direct person will want to know WHAT is required. The extroverted person will ask WHO will be involved or affected. The paced person will want to know WHEN you want the job completed. And, the structured person will ask WHYthat you want something done. By changing how you communicate with each person, your METHOD of coaching changes as well.
On the other hand, the STANDARDS that guide the interactions between the leader, team members, clients, and suppliers do not change. These standards create a professional code of conduct: the guardrails of what is, and what is not, acceptable behavior. Let me suggest some standards that you will find helpful.
TRUTH: Honesty must be expected of both managers and team members in their interactions with each other, clients, and suppliers. This begins with being truthful in ALL situations. Without truth, individuals will never become a team, clients will never enter into long term relationships, and suppliers will never share all the information you require to make good decisions.
ACCOUNTABILITY: Every member of the team, including you, must be accountable for both their own performance and that of the team. While individual success can and should be celebrated, remember that you either win as a team, or lose as a team.
SUPPORT: Training, encouragement, and discipline are required of you to create a winning team. Train and cross-train for skills improvement. Find out each person’s goals and help them achieve them. And, maintain discipline to encourage personal excellence.
TRUST:Without truth…there IS no trust. Team synergy is created when team members trust each other, and when they trust you. Trust is built with truth, accountability, and support between both team members and with the leader.
EMPOWERMENT: Because each team member will have their own ability to handle responsibility, the leader must encourage both personal and professional growth. As your team members increase their knowledge and their skills, empower them to be more, do more, and earn more as they accept more responsibility.
These 5 standards are the team-building blocks of the T.A.S.T.E. module. How well you learn how to use these will determine how far your team will progress. My friend Dave Anderson always shares: “The speed of the leader, determines the speed of the pack.” When you chose to lead, you accepted the responsibility to learn how to lead.
Remember: “When you’re green you grow; when you’re ripe you rot!” Keep growing!
“Adjust Your Methods, Not Your Standards!”
That is today’s Morning Minute!
