Comments

Rosabeth Moss Kanter is undoubtedly a Cool Friend! What an incredibly beautiful interview. I give a heartfelt thank you for her spirit of truth, unity, brilliance and beauty.

There are so many poignant points in the interview: individuality, government responsibility, values and principles, ambassadorship, citizen diplomats, public-private partnerships that matter, social entrepreneurship, innovation, systems change, political parties, and presidency transformation via Baby Boomers and the X, Y and millennial generations WHILE the position is being held. Wow! We can still be that “We the People.”

The Office of the Presidency, as well as the House and Senate, is a CONTINUOUS PROCESS -- even after elections -- governed by the people through the balancing of power. (This is the glaringly obvious that Tom speaks of: the continuous process is probably what our forefathers envisioned. What a beautiful system.) This is unity. I look forward to reading AMERICA THE PRINCIPLED: 6 OPPORTUNITIES FOR BECOMING A CAN-DO NATION ONCE AGAIN. My head and heart are ablaze with the interview alone. I can only imagine what’s to come. As I tend to be perhaps more conservative--though thoroughly progressive-- in some things more than others, I especially await its conclusions.

The premise of the interview sums up my thoughts on the importance of how we do what we do when we do it (approach, systems and timing). Even being right on so many issues, as many on this board are, it still seems to me that it is how we do what we do what when we do it that matters most. Transformation is approach, systems and timing. But it is not conformity. “Be ye not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

It is not that we conform others, but that we transform our own minds beyond present systems, beyond what is glaringly obvious toward change. (By the way, the obvious does not does not necessarily bring change.) This is not conformity. This is unity. This is hope, the kind that does not disappoint. This hope transforms the “world,” a system of beliefs adverse to the goodness of the whole, into great possibilities. I believe.

While we, without doubt, want to bring revolution to systems in need of change, it is the transformation of our own minds, it how we do what we do when we do what we do when we do it, that will generate and connect those “points of light” that the first President Bush spoke of and President Clinton’s notion that “the era of big government I is over. The era of big citizens has begun.”

Mother Teresa was a consummate “big citizen,” a consummate transformer. Holding close to her personal beliefs, she led a successful “corporation,” among those not of her same faith, uniting various “points of light.” How did she unit so many people of various faiths, garnering widespread support for the Missionaries of Charity? Her mission was her “clients,” not her personal beliefs. As did Christ, she served. He said, “I have come among you as one who serves.” Mother Teresa sought communion, not division through non-conformity. Yes, this is possible—communion and non-conformity. “Be ye not conformed to the world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

“Love conquers all.” Through love, respect, decency and the PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, Mother Teresa united people of many faiths and became an ambassador to the whole world. She was, without doubt, a brilliant being brand, an international business human being of great respect and renown. As persons in business, we should all look to become such ambassadors, citizen diplomats. What a concept! The bedrock of our greatness as a country is founded upon such concepts. Such concepts when applied can only have a positive affect on the world, including terrorism that affects the world and global economies.

I’m really interested in what others think.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 2, 2008 11:20 AM

Judith, your "Wow, We Can Still be that "We the People" truly captures for me the essense of the ideas behind this book. I became acquainted with Professor Kanter's work a day or two ago (sounds better than decades) when I first started doing organizational development stuff. Her "The Change Masters" and Tom's " A Passion for Excellence" (and some of his other titles) truly broke the complex down into the simple...the essense of learning. In fact, the interview contained a quote "The voice of people in organizations at all levels is what creates innovation. That's what I became known for in my book, The Change Masters. Innovation can come from anywhere in a company if you have the opportunity to voice the idea, and then are given the resources and the support to act on it." That answers brilliantly the essense of the Innovation and Architecture discussion.

I have worked for years on a volunteer basis working with local schools and other community organizations in a variety of planning, training, and organizational activities. I have seen first hand how people of all political and pigmentary persuasions can unite and work together achieve a common goal. I agree with "We need the talents of all people" to make a difference. The biggest barrier we face in moving this agenda and this country forward to me is in our incessant use of labels. Conservative/progressive(didn't that used to be liberal?) black/white, it's always an "us versus them" and many don't engage in the discussion because of the "political" wrapper it comes in and the conflict that perpetuates. Religion may narrow vision in some, but clearly not all, any more than a progressive label doen't mean you're always an atheist, as some other folks might believe. A coalition can be formed and resolve any issue based on common ground regardless of the political, racial, socio-economic status of it's members and those differences aren't an issue. Here's a progressive idea. Drop the word progressive and the "we believe in hope and that we're not stuck with what we have today; we can make it better" is an agenda that captures the essense and attitudes of many more people. We can build on the common ground with a far greater number citizens who can better infuence our "instruments of public service." In business or politics, the best solutions come from the frontline!

Posted by Dave Wheeler at February 2, 2008 2:33 PM

Dave-fine comments indeed and bravo on the work you do. Much success! I am not inherently opposed to political terms that distinguish elements of a political party. (Sometimes they are useful in wrapping our minds around the whole.) Ultimately, it will be our actions that determine who we really are. So, descriptive distinctions do not move me terribly. But I must admit to smiling aloud upon reading your "pigmentary persuasion" terminology. Is this a new term for ethnic minority? There I go again with perhaps another label. But don't we all know the difference between denegration, distinction and description? Your "pigmentary persuasion" cleary does not fall in the first category. Thank you for your words and work. They matter.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 2, 2008 4:28 PM

Judith, the only thing I recall about origins of "pigmentary persuasion" is that it definitely is not new. Years ago one of my fellow trainers was also a Southern Bapatist minister and we engaged in the sport of me trying to "out reverend" the Reverend. Phrases like "irrespective of our religious DE-NOM-A-NAY-SHUNS, our pig-a-mentary PURR-SWAY-SHUNS, our political UH-FILL-LEE-A-SHUNS. we will endeavor to get this done together" were spontaneous and common place. It is a description of a distinction and a subtle way to point out an obvious yet meaningless difference. There is (or was) a nationally syndicated radio show that used the hook "are you tired of the black-white, left right" in their intro. YES!!!!! I personally enjoy discussing religion and politics but it can be much more of a divider than a uniter in many instances. Under performing schools, crime, drugs, single parent families affect all communities and impact all citizens in them. You nailed it when you said "Ultimately it wll be our actions that determine who we really are". The more people we engage and involve, the better the solution

Posted by Dave Wheeler at February 2, 2008 6:25 PM

What a great interview. I’m an optimist – call me naïve; call me gullible; call me idealistic but I remain an unashamed optimist. As Professor Kanter says we really don’t have to be pessimistic – there are so many opportunities to improve the world as an individual or in teams if only we want to take them. Professor Kanter provides a leadership framework and great wisdom in her words. I am pleased to hear more frequent reference in business to principles of fairness, inclusion, integrity, humility and social responsibility. Mahatma Gandhi said ‘You must be the change you wish to see in the world.’ I read Mr Gandhi’s words as a personal challenge to keep an open mind. Judith and Dave eloquently describe how that means it matters not one iota about any ‘label’ that society places upon us, but it matters greatly that the cause we support is underpinned by principles highlighted earlier. Last week in our church the minister told us of James Dewar a Scottish Physicist (1842-1923) who said– ‘Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open’ – I love that and I humbly submit this quote is a good mission statement in any business today.

http://www.simplicityitk.blogspot.com/

Posted by Trevor Gay at February 2, 2008 6:37 PM

Bravo Dave! What's old is often new again. I don't see the phrase really catching on today. But I can hear its resonance spoken by a Baptist minister.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 2, 2008 6:58 PM

I truly hope that phrase or any other description of a distinction never gets used again and we can get straight to the discussion or issue at hand. That truly would be progress. If you approach things as "fixing problems". you have to go through the whole drill of assigning blame and responsibility for it which creates hurt feelings and defensiveness.. If we get straight to exploiting an opportunity to improve however it saves time and effort.

Posted by Dave Wheeler at February 2, 2008 10:29 PM

There will always be hurt feelings; we will respectively hurt or be hurt. (Get over it! Really! We are all imperfect.) It goes back to motive and humility and fearing to APPEAR weak and unknowledgable. But the real truth is we are not all-knowing or the strongest all the time. I think culture demands these impossibilities more of men than women. We should resist negative attributes of culture in business or life. We should hold variables singularly (one thing at a time) AND delegate as a managing leader. We do not have to always know everything or how to do everything. Our continuous pursuit of excellence with humility better assures us of more creativity and innovation nationally and globally. These are basic thoughts but are often overlooked. Because I am always and forever in pursuit of excellence, I am forever checking my humility gauge. In this ongoing process, I really learn how much I don't know. But there is beauty here. Greater creativity and innovation ensue.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 3, 2008 7:13 AM

VERY impressive interview! Made my day. Can't believe I missed her book. Just ordered it on Amazon. Sounds like perfect timing for her message, given the world's jaundiced view of the US these days. I hope some of the US Presidential candidates are paying attention.

Posted by John O'Leary at February 4, 2008 12:25 AM

I really like the idea of students taking a "gap year" between high school and college to work on international projects. As someone who has traveled extensively, and worked outside the U.S. for several years, I'm constantly appalled at my fellow countrymen/women's ignorance of the rest of the world. My co-workers are, by and large, an educated bunch -- but they have only a vague notion of where (say) Pakistan is, and absolutely NO sense that it's a country with an ancient culture, a complicated history, flexing borders, and constantly changing relationships with its neighbors. The Peace Corps was founded, not as a "do-gooder" organization, but as a way of exposing the volunteers to the rest of the world. They're selective, necessarily, but it would be great if that experience were open to every young adult in the U.S. who's interested.

Posted by Paula at February 4, 2008 6:13 PM

Thanks, Cool Commentators. I certainly appreciate the nice words about the book and my message, but I greatly appreciate even more the zeal that Judith, Paula, Dave, John, Trevor and others have for enduring positive change. We need to listen to the voices of social entrepreneurs, support your ideas, and applaud your positive models for making a difference in America and the world --at any age! From young people (www.cityyear.org) to boomers (www.encore.org) and beyond. The appetite for service is rising, and some days I dream that we could be leaving the age of greed/cynicism behind us as we enter a new Age of Idealism... I'm working on an effort at Harvard to create the educational pathway for experienced leaders to transition from their primary income-earning years to their years of giving back via public service and social purpose work. (see Chapter 6 of America the Principled.) Keep up the great dialogue and the good work.

Posted by Rosabeth Moss Kanter at February 4, 2008 6:49 PM

Professor Kanter - your words give hope of a tomorrow where words like 'integrity' ‘social responsibility’ and 'humility' are used more frequently in business than 'profit' and 'results.' Can I also say it is absolutely brilliant from where I sit when people are encouraged by feedback from such esteemed voices so thank you for that and best wishes from England. Please keep rattling the cage.

Posted by Trevor Gay at February 5, 2008 9:50 AM

Prof Kanter, thank you very much for visiting our comments to add to the great discussion you began in your interview.

Below are links to the service opportunites you mention.

City Year is one of my favorite organizations!
http://www.cityyear.org/home.aspx

And, here's how Encore.org describes their program on their website: "Encore is leading the call for millions of baby boomers to become a vital workforce for social change. Join Encore to become part of the movement for work that matters in the second half of life." How completely Tom-esque is that?
http://www.encore.org/#

Posted by cathy mosca at February 6, 2008 9:33 AM

Cathy, I second that. Thank you Professor Kanter.

My good friend, the poet, Naomi Shihab Nye's father, Aziz Shihab, published a book last year, DOES THE LAND REMEMBER ME? A MEMOIR OF PALESTINE. This is a good read.

The book beautifully and resolutely speaks of sharing and communicating through gulf stream differences; it speaks of a beautiful communion without conformity. Mr. Shihab past last year and we are made the better for this memoir.

Posted by Judith Ellis at February 6, 2008 1:29 PM