ultraheidibuttery
Buddy. 🐶
#throwback to this sweet rescue dog, Buddy, whom I met on a trip to Hawaii in June 2023. Immediately protective, he hopped up and chilled with me, after a training session. Reflecting on military introductions and conversations, including on this trip, it's funny how people were introduced to me for the first 41 years of my life and how I was expected to be impressed by all of their titles. (Especially without their true character being revealed to me over time...)
On this trip to the BI, I met a nice general of the US army... while he seemed like a decent person and we enjoyed conversation and tasty BBQ, I find going by first names versus "The General" more normal... because hey, there is more than one general in the US army (231 active, right?). Contrasted to this conversation, over the past year, I've met so many humble military men who never mentioned their title to me upfront or needed a wingman to drop it for them, yet conversations were equally, if not more, interesting. Actually, to be completely honest, they were much more interesting... 🤔
Listen, I understand people are proud of their titles (especially extra proud men), but can't we get past our pride when it comes to titles, guys? Ego, with too much pride... ooof! This paired with unlimited resources has repeatedly proven to be deadly for mankind. I find this particularly common in the US amongst men who hold authoritative positions. Especially when so much work is needed to be done. 🌍 That's how I've always operated as a professional in my career... but it does seem too much to ask these days. My manager title never held me back from grinding to midnight to make a client deadline, in order to give my staff a break. Nor any other title I've held in the past made me "too good" to be kind or lend a helping hand, when it's needed.
Let's admit it, when we cut thru the BS, put the "beyond criminals" in custody, and all work together, we could live in harmony. I have met some brilliant change makers during my life so far with practical, long-lasting solutions and they don't need shiny hair gel or a social media shoutout in order to do good work. They, like me, know how to check their ego at the door and actively listen, if someone else knows more about the issue at the hand. Think "less performative, more effective". Many don't have fancy educations and credentials, though... but is that what's needed, America? 🙈 Because, from my four decades of observation in the US, there are a lot of leaders with low intelligence, who are highly-educated, graduated with top degrees from corrupt institutions & universities. And clearly, they have run this country at least six feet underground.
In closing, there is a caveat to titles for me... for instance, when Peter Greenberg interviewed non-US presidents on his "Royal Tour" trips and addressed them as "President", I think that's cool (especially the female president of Tanzania: 🇹🇿 Samia Suluhu Hassan). Maybe because many of these presidents are actual leaders, too... yep, I think that's right! 👍 Imagine living in a country with professional, humble & transparent leadership? A woman can hope. 👩 Worldwide & community leaders whom I would be honored to introduce my son to... that is my ultimate vision for leadership.
Be well, Flickr community ✨🙏
Buddy. 🐶
#throwback to this sweet rescue dog, Buddy, whom I met on a trip to Hawaii in June 2023. Immediately protective, he hopped up and chilled with me, after a training session. Reflecting on military introductions and conversations, including on this trip, it's funny how people were introduced to me for the first 41 years of my life and how I was expected to be impressed by all of their titles. (Especially without their true character being revealed to me over time...)
On this trip to the BI, I met a nice general of the US army... while he seemed like a decent person and we enjoyed conversation and tasty BBQ, I find going by first names versus "The General" more normal... because hey, there is more than one general in the US army (231 active, right?). Contrasted to this conversation, over the past year, I've met so many humble military men who never mentioned their title to me upfront or needed a wingman to drop it for them, yet conversations were equally, if not more, interesting. Actually, to be completely honest, they were much more interesting... 🤔
Listen, I understand people are proud of their titles (especially extra proud men), but can't we get past our pride when it comes to titles, guys? Ego, with too much pride... ooof! This paired with unlimited resources has repeatedly proven to be deadly for mankind. I find this particularly common in the US amongst men who hold authoritative positions. Especially when so much work is needed to be done. 🌍 That's how I've always operated as a professional in my career... but it does seem too much to ask these days. My manager title never held me back from grinding to midnight to make a client deadline, in order to give my staff a break. Nor any other title I've held in the past made me "too good" to be kind or lend a helping hand, when it's needed.
Let's admit it, when we cut thru the BS, put the "beyond criminals" in custody, and all work together, we could live in harmony. I have met some brilliant change makers during my life so far with practical, long-lasting solutions and they don't need shiny hair gel or a social media shoutout in order to do good work. They, like me, know how to check their ego at the door and actively listen, if someone else knows more about the issue at the hand. Think "less performative, more effective". Many don't have fancy educations and credentials, though... but is that what's needed, America? 🙈 Because, from my four decades of observation in the US, there are a lot of leaders with low intelligence, who are highly-educated, graduated with top degrees from corrupt institutions & universities. And clearly, they have run this country at least six feet underground.
In closing, there is a caveat to titles for me... for instance, when Peter Greenberg interviewed non-US presidents on his "Royal Tour" trips and addressed them as "President", I think that's cool (especially the female president of Tanzania: 🇹🇿 Samia Suluhu Hassan). Maybe because many of these presidents are actual leaders, too... yep, I think that's right! 👍 Imagine living in a country with professional, humble & transparent leadership? A woman can hope. 👩 Worldwide & community leaders whom I would be honored to introduce my son to... that is my ultimate vision for leadership.
Be well, Flickr community ✨🙏