It is easy to adapt to a new environment – Reason 49

An old parable talks about the oak and the reed[1] that used to live close together: even though the oak was very strong and it used to brag about it, when a fierce storm came, only the apparently weak reed survived and lived on.

The oak symbolises the old paradigm and leadership model: beautiful in its greatness, big and strong, experienced and probably very talented, but with a tendency to treat others with mild scorn for what is seen as their weaknesses.  This type of leaders as well as oaks is unable to adapt to a new environment or situation.

On the other hand, the new model of leadership is just like the reeds: flexible.  They stimulate another perspective through the ability to react to situations by understanding them and by bending, without breaking.

Instead of fighting against a new environment, by being a leader the person is focusing on new possibilities and opportunities.  As a consequence, she or he adapts to the novelty, giving the best in the process.

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[1] The oak and the reed is a parable by Aesop. You can read about it here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Oak_and_the_Reed

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

The power of cooperation gives context to the world – Reason 29

If someone would describe the world today in about 50 years’ time, they could use a spider web as an analogy.  On one hand, the web we are living is strong and interconnected; on the other hand, just as a child could break it, our huge human network is as fragile.

For everyday people, to know how to manage life in this web is part of the big challenge and many times the person can feel like a fly that is caught up in it.  For a leader, the fact we are a network is an advantage, since she or he constantly has a task to perform, or an activity that is probably bigger than her or his capacity.

Leaders replace old paradigm of bosses who use their authority as a means to impose order and to get people to contribute with cooperation as a natural skill to get the same results but with different consequences.

Leaders easily learn to navigate in this big human web and how to capitalise this huge potential.  An example of that comes from former USA President Bill Clinton who touched that topic in a notable paper for the International Monetary Fund, with the indicative title The Power of Cooperation[1].  He describes the possibilities of cooperation and results, silently showing their advantages in relation to former paradigms like conquer and win.

That goes beyond politics and global scenarios: for a leader, cooperation starts from within, from his or her own conviction and the natural sense of giving help to others.

(Excerpt from the book 82 Reasons to be a Leader)

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[1]The Power of Cooperation.  http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/fandd/2012/12/clinton.htm

Signs of Paradigm Shift II

Problem of paradigm is that when you are merged in a paradigm, you can't see it shifting until is too late. That happens with districts especially in South America: one distric is for wealthy people and some decades later, it becomes a middle-class place.

But people from these places, they rarely notice the change. Yes, they see things happening, but they are "blind" to the total change. One day, their district changed around them, and possibly their status too.

But, how to really notice changes? For instance, I have talked about the shift of the poles, at least in economic terms. Last months Europe has been rocking hard, and although Germany has some economic power, it is obviously not enough to keep the whole boat afloat.

So, what I realize is that when a paradigm is changing somewhere, at another place the opposite is happening. Brazil was reported to be interested in buying the European debt last year; well, I am from Brazil and I just thought: WHAT????? Almost whole South America is booming with the economy: less poor people around, lots of construction and buildings, etc.

Another way is to see the changes in very small things. For instance, one of my early memories of London was the big advertisement they do on movies. They paint the buses and the effect is very nice and interesting. More interesting than that was the fact that most of the movies they were advertising were not on theaters in South America. This time, many of the movies they were advertising in London have left the theaters already...

Just to reconfirm your observation, look out for news. A few days later after coming back from last trip to London, a small article talked about the fact that nowadays most of the big American movies start to show first abroad.

Easy?

1. Whenever a change is happening, looking for its counterpart.
2. Check about small things, like movies, shoes or technological devices.
3. Wait for official news in main media.

But, why to be so focused on Paradigm Shift? To prepare yourself...

Signs of Paradigm Shift I

I heard the word PARADIGM about 20 years ago. It touched me as it was explained, clarified and its examples. Barker's video and book on paradigm made up my mind and I was a believer!

Later I developed more sense on the stuff and, although I appreciate his work and his innovative way of explaining it, I really started to see things a little different here. And paradigm became part of me, so I stopped working on that.

You know, paradigm as a word came out of fashion one day, but as it is part of me, I can relate to that all the time.

And it is a wonder when you know and you can see how paradigm is shifting everywhere...

Not talking about the big elephants in the room, as China (and India, did you notice it?) takes over from a fallen USA and Europe, or how Brazil is becoming the third in the row.

I am talking about day-to-day circumstances and situations, happening all over the planet.

Do you notice it?