The Razor’s Edge of Leadership

The Razor’s Edge of Leadership

by transformationleader

The Razor’s Edge of Leadership
Russ Hardesty, PhD
20Aug2012

          One aspect of the Razor’s edge that makes a phenomenal leader is Clarity.  Clarity operates on several levels, giving definition to the tribe of the leader.  It creates the opportunity for a collective unconscious for the tribe to operate as a single living organism with its many complex subsystems to function seamlessly.  The various members of the organism or organization each find their purpose and meaning in their various and unique contributions.
           Clarity allows the intuition and creativity of the members of the organization to be aware of the many opportunities available for the taking in abundance.  Abundance isn’t “things” but an experience for the organization or individual.  Jesus spoke of this in the Sermon on the Mount, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”[1]
            Confusion, mixed messages, or neurotic behaviors create an environment of distrust and a fear driven culture.  Clarity allows the heart and soul of an organization, trust and respect, to prosper and proliferate which becomes the filter for greater clarity and abundance.

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[1] Matthew 7:7-8

Imagination - which way?

“Books are the best of things, well used. What is the right use? What is the one end, which all means go to effect? They are for nothing but to inspire.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Dream, be unreasonable and write what comes to you for 15 minutes. (Ben von Burg)

Emerson viewed books or writing as a means to inspire others. I am sure he would have been a blogger.  My life purpose is to evoke and call out the beauty and capacity that lies in others and is closely connected with the theme of this quote. Imagination is a powerful tool for either creation of value or squander.  This marvelous attribute of the human allows each of use to see that which is unseen whether it be positive or negative.  Anxiety can be imagination seeing the worst case scenario and then living it as if it already is happening.  I choose to use my imagination to vision the creation of that which has value for myself and others. 

A vision isn't an idea but a force of power, a force in my heart.  It may begin as an idea, but soon takes form.  It is seen as existing.  There are few forces as powerful.  The vision answers the question, "what do I want to create?"  It becomes the channel through which my energy flows and brings focus to my life. This can be like a child, How will I care for it?  Will I nurture it or will I let it fend for itself?  Will I attempt to control it or let it begin to have its own identity; ever expanding into something greater than  imagined at first?  Will I allow it to be come my teacher?  This is one of the greatest expressions of my role as a creator to imagine and to inspire others to have and live their dream.

Decision, Decision, What will I decide?

“If you can’t change your fate, change your attitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
At any given point in time, you’re only one thought away from changing your thinking. What thought can you change today?(Maryellen Smith)


Make a decision, that is my challenge.  One of the greatest decisions I made was years ago.  I decided that I could change my fate.  I grew up in a fear bound home environment.  Depression, gloom, judgement, illness, despair and criticism was the theme of most days.  As a kid I decided that I wasn't going to live my life with such negativity and decided to be positive and seek the light.  

This decision is affirmed each day.  I can choose to allow the negativity of the culture that filters in through the media suggesting  inevitable economic doom and scarcity is in the future for all.  I choose this day to join the abundance that awaits me.  Today I choose to see the inherent goodness that surrounds me.

Will vs. Self-will

The inspiration for this writing came from a comment from a group member recently. 

On of the greatest attributes I have is my power of choice.  It resides in each of us.  I recall a study conducted about 35 years ago which measured the capacity of profoundly retarded residents to have a preference or choice in a state mental institution.  The study sought to determine if the residents had a preference for music.  The results indicated that even these folks preferred a particular type of music. (email me for the type of music)

Will is the vital aspect of our capacity to love or to anger without condition.  However it is easy to defend our right to choose in such a way that we would rather be right about a belief or behavior that is self-defeating or harmful. At times this determination is so strong that on makes "rightness" the 'higher power.'  It can take to form of needing to know everything, leaving little room for mystery, surprise and excitement.  This need to know is easily perceived as the higher power.

I can choose to surrender my knowing to the 'higher power' in the form of living without knowing the future.  Not meaning that I become mindless, but even more mindful of the here and now; living in the present.  Surrender for me is the yielding of my will to God.  Trusting the creator to know more than I; caring for me even more that I care for myself; believing that the creator didn't make junk and wanted me to live in abundance.

This support group of individuals are working on specific life areas that have been difficult to manage.  Although it isn't a 12 Step program, it utilizes the wisdom from these programs.  The first three steps address the issue of 'will'; 1) admission of being powerless over ______ - that my life has become unmanageable, 2) believing that a power greater than myself can restore sanity, and 3) a decision to turn my will and life over to the care of God as I understand.

I believe my greatest power comes forth when I choose to being open to the presence of the power that is greater than me.

Inspiration that came after the Big Dream

“The arts and inventions of each period are only its costume, and do not invigorate men.” Emerson
Think of the last time that you thought, said, or did something that was original. What inspired or invigorated this? (Michael Brajkovich)

The last bit of inspiration was today.  While seeking a place for a healing workshop for individuals experienced losses because of the May 22 Tornado in Joplin, I discovered there were no sleeping rooms or facilities available due to the overwhelming demand for the huge influx of workers to help with the clean-up and reconstruction.  The city had the feel of a boom town.  One individual suggested a camp and retreat facility about 10 miles away.  The first visit to the facility allowed us to see some possibilities.  Based on our format for workshops the spaces available were marginally useful.  The manager suggested a return visit the following day after the current users had checked out.  When we arrived at noon today, we were able to explore all of the spaces.

The typical workshops we have presented in the past were for adults.  The concept of meeting needs, then preparing to meet the need was clear and loud in my mind.  Those who had lost so much, especially the kids could likely experience anxiety when their parents were gone for the three days of the workshop.  Then it 'hit' me!  This place was set up for families! Bring the kids!  I can create some positive activities that will help the kids too!  The additional costs would be minimal; it give an opportunity for more people to have ways to help the families that have lost so much.

If you would like to join in sponsoring this event that will be held November 11-13 contact me or Freedom Seminars .  Help is needed, it is so much bigger that one person.