If Patience is a Virtue, We're Doomed!

"It is also helpful to think of adversity not as much as a threat to our peace of mind but rather as the very means by which patience is attained." -the Dalai Lama

While reflecting on a collection of quotes the other day, the above roused me from my sleepy studies.

I have been working on patience for many years now. Okay, full disclosure...many, many years. (Lately, with better results though. It must come with age.)

However, I think I am running out of patience with our politicians. (Some of them old friends.) Perhaps you are already beyond the point of no return, but I'm tittering on the bitter edge. You might be able to prop me up a bit. Read on.

A colleague sent me a comment the other day after reading an article I tweeted. She lamented that Obama is using the "us versus them" language. My quick response was he didn't invent it. It's been in use for many decades now. And it's not owned by one political party, they are all guilty.

She encouraged me, with good humor of course, to go to D.C. and set them straight. "Tell them they work of all of us, not just some of us. And report back." I would love nothing more, but the task is obviously much larger than that.

I actually liked how Obama stood front and center with the Republicans and then did a repeat with the Democrats as well. My understanding is that, in that setting, it was a first. I think an interaction like that should be mandatory once a month from this point on for all presidents.

Obama challenged both groups to lead. (Fine, that forces him and his crew to Step Up [TM] as well.)

That's where my patience, or lack of it, comes in.

Unless you've been hiding under a large, mossy rock for decades, you know that our political system is under the weather. It has a virus far more virulent than the Swine Flu. Bed rest and plenty of fluids is not the answer. A couple shots of real leadership might break the impasse.

California is a great example of where the country is headed from a political perspective. What seems like a group of educated, informed adults appear unable to tie their shoes and chew gum at the same time. Their business is all about obfuscation and stalemate. Status quo. Zero change. Zip. Nada. If you challenge anyone of them, they point at the other guy.

Individually, they might be great to have a beer with at the end of a long day. I'm positive that some have great ideas we should be chewing on and debating. However, constructing a workable budget and governing appears to be an impossible dream. Some Californian's lives and businesses have become nightmares because of our elected officials immaturity and intransigence. California, the Golden State and former pride of the West, has fallen and can't get up.

Is this what we want for our country? Most, I suspect, would say no. They don't vote for that.

However, it appears there are enough folks out there who want nothing less than drowning government (except for the parts that selfishly served them). And it is those folks, with their colorful ways, who get the media attention that keeps the negative messages afloat. Our radio waves and cable outlets are filled with diatribe and flotsam.

Of course, I could fill a few pages with this and that about leadership being the answer. Moreover, please understand I am not politically naive and I am very aware of the great things that are being done out there by real people (like you) in the real world. (Follow me on Twitter @RobertHThompson to stay abreast.)

However, today, I'd rather know what you think about the ever-growing political stalemate and what might be done to banish it forever.

Don't be shy. Talk to me. Be serious or be funny, but please don't tell me to just be more patient.

Robert H. Thompson is a Certified Master of The Leadership Challenge and the author of The Offsite: A Leadership Challenge Fable. You can reach him at [email protected] or sign up for his newsletter at www.leaderinsideout.com.

Comments

[medieval clothing]

Politicians as usual..

[Isaque Hammer]

Hi Mr. Kouzes. I'm a brasilian student of administration and I'm doing a final work graduation about the youth of today in the leadership of the business tomorrow. I have read your books, and materials of Posner and Bennis also, and it's so fantastic. I'd like to ask you informations about this theme, please. I have certainty that you can help me. Congratulations for your job.
Answer in my e-mail, please! Obrigado.

[Cheap Jordans]

To your blog, I learned a lot! This also is very good!

[Gucci Shoes]

I love blog, because any person can blog in their own feelings and to share things with. But i suppose the blog could only be improved if you posted more often.

[transparent laptop]

Ok I have an obsession with shoes (lol) and i need to know the best online...

[Air Jordans]

I love your blog! You will be in our prayers and thoughts! Nice and informative post on this topic thanks for sharing with us.Thank you!

[air yeezy shoes]

Thank you so much for writing this! I learned a lot and appreciate the perspective.

[viagra online]

Who is really the REAL manufacturer of the Japanese b2up bust up gum?
Newspapers in Hong Kong has mentioned Nozawa Seisakusho (K&S) as the
creator of this.

[Jordan Retro 5 shoes]

I think this is a great idea! I am in and I will link to it in my next blog entry. I hope that will be before next Sunday! Hope you are having a good weekend!

[Nursing PJs]

excellent post but i think i would disagree on the " If Patience is a Virtue, We're Doomed! " coz for me, patience is still a Virtue, but in this case i would agree on that, it is a different situation.

[Rerto Jordans]

In the beautiful seasons of spring and autumn riding a bicycle to travel and appreciate the natural views is a wonderful experience.

[Leadership Programs]

Thank you so much for writing this! I learned a lot and appreciate the perspective.

[red cross cna classes]

The same is true for many Asian companies who promote products to US consumers.

I don't think many brands practice authenticity - they practice what they think people want.

[Replica jerseys]

Thank you so much for writing this! I learned a lot and appreciate the perspective.

[ugg shoes]

Ugg boots typically has a unique glimpse from other kinds of boots. It is in fact this distinctive glimpse that makes it stand out inside the crowd. The expression ugg is truly the shot for ugly. Thus ugg boot in simple fact meant unsightly boot. But these days these boots are no longer deemed as unpleasant, they are moreover thought of as one with the most fashionable and snug footwear from the style industry. Just imagine walking miles on an undulated terrain in a pair of higher heels! What would be the result?

[ugg womens boots]

I enjoy your posts. You write beautifully. That’s all…

[gucci shoes]

I do not quite agree with some of your ideas, patience is a virtue, but not all, because the solution to a problem already serious error, wait only a waste of time, and may lose the opportunity. state is the same.

[chanel j12 watches]

Americans will have to have a civil war or revolution based on poverty like in France or Russia before such an extreme system as has developed becomes tabu (like a strong currency is aboslutely necessary in Germany due to perceptiopn of inflation bringing down Weimar Republic for example).

[Nike Jordan]

I have but one lamp wait which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. Do you think so?

[Steelers jerseys]

Excellent post. It was very helpful for me. if I would not read this article then I wouldn’t learn new knowledge. I just loved this post.

[Juicy Couture Bags]

Americans ever to die in a terror incident outside the U.S. and the deadliest one-day toll for Marines since Iwo Jima in WW II--- not many liberals or conservatives, Left or Right, will want to look too closely at the facts.

[meizitang]

Exceptions to every rules is always applicable anyways.

[Ty Brentwood]

If politicians were serious about showing leadership of any level then they would adopt The FALGAFT Plan in a heartbeat to stem the eonomical waste.

[Generic Cialis]

Hola,
Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.
espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Terry Flanagan]

I enjoy reading blogs because I learn so much. This FALGAFT Plan as stated above by -; Ty Brentwood has come to Oz. Where can I find more info about this platform. ???

[authenticjerseys]

this is very excellent!i like it vey much!
in this blog ,i learn a lot .thank you for yoru blog!!

[Ty Brentwood]

To -; Generic Cialis and others,
The FALGAFT Plan is an Economic Platform Structure. Look for an entity called -;
"Challenge ALL Politicians Parameters" and you will see information regarding The FALGAFT Plan.
Also, look at the web site https://sites.google.com/site/falgaftplan/
as it grows.
This could very well be the future.

[ズファジラン]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[website]

Amen to that! This is serious talking.

[Generic Cordarone]

Hola,Ha hecho un trabajo muy bueno. Hay muchas personas en busca de eso ahora van a encontrar suficientes fuentes por tus consejos.espera para obtener más consejos acerca de que

[Mobile Computing]

This is really interesting, You're a very skilled blogger. I've joined your feed and look forward to seeking more of your wonderful post. Also, I have shared your site in my social networks!

[Home & Garden]

Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.

[discount jerseys]

My friendS told me that this blog is competitive. i will continue to read.
http://www.nfljerseysmalls.com

[Generic Viagra]

I think you are right when you say this. Hats off man, what a superlative knowledge you have on this subject…hope to see more work of yours.

[office 2010 standard]

From reading your blog，I learned a lot！ Thank you very much！

[office 2010 standard]

Thank you for sharing. Very happy to see your article, I very much to like and agree with your point of view. Have a good time.

[meizitang slimming]

However, today, I'd rather know what you think about the ever-growing political stalemate and what might be done to banish it forever.http://www.meizitang.cc

[microsoft office 2010]

I actually liked how Obama stood front and center with the Republicans and then did a repeat with the Democrats as well
http://www.buy-office-2010.com

[meizitang slimming]

It is also helpful to think of adversity not as much as a threat to our peace of mind but rather as the very means by which patience is attained." -the Dalai Lamahttp://www.meizitang.cc

[MBT shoes]

Love the way they make you feel!http://www.cheapmbtshopbuy.com

[levitra online]

Thank you! I didn't know they picked up on it until I saw your comment.

[Generic Drugs Exporter]

Azt akarta, hogy többet tudjon konkrét témákban, de nem sok websites segítene nekem, ki tájékoztatása rám, ahogy vártam. Ez maradt meg sok kérdést, de elolvasása után a cikk, kaptam választ minden kérdésemre. Túl jó haver!

[buy xanax]

Really great post, Thank you for sharing This knowledge.Excellently written article, if only all bloggers offered the same level of content as you, the internet would be a much better place. Please keep it up!

[buy viagra]

Great post. I think one of the basic things that we should know know is that we must always make sure that you are safe in every transactions you wanted to indulge with.

[Generic Viagra]

Ég kom nýlega yfir bloggið þitt og hafa verið að lesa eftir. Ég hélt ég myndi fara fyrst umsögn mína. ÉG dont 'vita hvað á að segja nema að ég hafi notið að lesa. Nice blog. Ég mun halda áfram að heimsækja þetta blogg mjög oft

[Allegra]

Ils offrent aussi des raisons d'affaires à puce pour s'assurer que de telles initiatives ont du succès et continue

[Generic Viagra]

I wonder how you got so good. This is really a fascinating blog, lots of stuff that I can get into. One thing I just want to say is that your Blog is so perfect!

[Allegra]

sevindim bu sayfayı olağanüstü hayır, bu, ben destek bu konuda bir biçimidir, ama sık sık doğru hemen dopoHey Web sitenizde istediğiniz zamanlarda duyuldu dışarı day.We görür.

[merchant account services]

A true meaning of leadership. I lok up to you guys.

[mp3 for meditation]

Let's just be positive for the meantime.