“We shall not cease exploration, and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.”
– T. S. Eliot
Trust and integrity are a turn-on. For a strong relationship that builds on trust and works, there needs to be an emotional connection, some same-side thinking, and the understanding we all need to be heard and seen.
Influencers and Leaders
Influencers and leaders are around us every day in both our personal and professional lives. These influencers and leaders can be people we trust or dislike, but sometimes, it’s impossible to determine their true colors. This makes it hard to determine a trust factor and their integrity.
The dynamics of the 2016 election cycle has given Americans a unique perspective into the nation’s influencers and political leaders in a way that has never been seen before.
Technology and Wikileaks allowed for insight into attitudes and behaviors to be read by the public giving an insight on some America’s leaders and influencers. It’s now known, through their own words and deed, how unethical some media outlets, media personalities, politicians, and certain individuals that support candidates have been.
These attitudes and behaviors have been analyzed by Americans in their own homes drawling a variety of conclusions about the level of trust and integrity in certain areas of American society. Remember, influencers and leaders (tigers) never change their stripes.
“Authenticity is the alignment of head, mouth, heart, and feet – thinking, saying, feeling, and doing the same thing – consistently.” – Lance Secretan
Outcome?
Unfortunately, more and more people in the election cycle didn’t know the importance of listening, didn’t understand being right is not always necessary, were unable to seek out the facts, couldn’t control their bias, and didn’t allow for a critical thinking process. Too many Americans trusted the integrity of the media and career politicians.
Reality now indicates Americans can’t trust some media outlets, media personalities, and politicians for facts; however, their entertainment value is now priceless. The lack of integrity and loss of trust has left many Americans searching for new self-proclaimed experts that can be trusted and that have integrity.
Leadership in the country is at a new all time low.
American’s Next Step
The next two years, and maybe even four years, will be a Republican controlled environment from the top leadership position to majorities in the House of Representatives and Senate. Americans will need to constantly pressure politicians with the question, “Why?” in their actions.
And, expect to hear, “…because we’ve always done it that way…’
The required response to that for Americans is, “WRONG answer.:
President Trump’s True Power
Yes, American children are trillions in debt with a failing educational system, massive student loan debt, and an infrastructure that is falling apart around the country. Not to mention, there is the lack of entrepreneurship growth, living wage job creation, and a failing Social Security and medical system. What can he do?
Thank you, Dr. Lang for this positive and inspiring article. I believe in the philosophy First, Be Thankful. It’s like setting myself up to see that there is always good if you look for it. Thank you for your thoughts: “Will President Trump use his power to build trust and integrity in a nation that is seeking stability, honesty, and prosperity? Let’s all give him a chance and see what he does. Americans need to start choosing to be irrationally optimistic.” I have no political expertise, but I have plenty of expertise in moral character and doing the right thing. There is no value in denigrating and battling the president. There is no honor in being disrespectful. Our job is to do the right things for the right reasons, none of which includes impudence and violence.
Truly inspiring article Dr. Jacqueline, Thank you!