YOU Are the Decisive Element

Wednesday October 31, 2012 comments

"I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element.  It is my personal approach that creates the climate.  It is my daily mood that makes the weather. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person humanized or de-humanized.

 If we treat people as they are, we make them worse.  If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming."

                                                                       Johan Wolfgang von Goethe

First let’s get this out of the way: even Goethe’s name indicates a smart guy!  I mean look how his name compares to Robert White … more letters, a “von” thrown in, sounds like a German poet … OH!  He was a German poet!

I’m not big on “frightening” or holding the people in my life as how “they ought to be.”  With those exceptions, I really like this straightforward expression about personal responsibility.

In my book, home study program, public speaking and executive coaching, the central theme is always the same: take ownership of all of your life, recognize the power of personal responsibility and choice in every circumstance. 

In so doing you create the space for living an extraordinary life. Do let us know about how you are being "the decisive element" or any questions or comments by commenting below.