Genius Needs Passion
I’m working through more of my study notes from the great novel I finished last week, The Red Tower, by J. B. Simmons. This is the second book in The Five Towers series and “passion” was the theme in the Red Tower. Another quote from the book that caused me to think deeply was Cipher’s comment of, “I still like Blue, but it is cold. Genius needs Passion—otherwise I’m the doctor who’s always better than others, seeing them as tools. But Passion needs something else to control it—otherwise I’m with Samantha, fueling fires that should never be lit.” You probably caught it, but the Blue Towers theme was “genius.” Passion can be a powerful force in channeling genius by providing direction and purpose.
When someone possesses a unique talent or intellect—often referred to as “genius”—it can lead to ideas and creativity that are boundless. However, without passion, that genius may lack focus and become chaotic or overwhelming.
Here’s how passion helps keep genius under control:
- Focus: Passion allows us to concentrate our energy on specific goals or projects, enabling us to hone our skills rather than spreading ourself too thin across many interests.
- Motivation: A strong passion can drive persistent effort and dedication, helping us push through challenges and stay committed to our pursuits, ensuring that our genius is expressed through accomplished work rather than fleeting ideas. In his life before the towers, Cipher had let his genius as a doctor be overtaken by his ambition to recognized as “god-like” in his abilities. He was letting ambition drive his genius and purpose.
- Resilience: Passion can provide the emotional strength to overcome failures and setbacks. This resilience ensures that genius is not easily discouraged and can continue to evolve and adapt over time.
- Guidance: Passion along with our purpose acts as a compass, guiding decisions and actions. When individuals are passionate about a particular subject or field, we are more likely to seek knowledge, mentorship, and experiences that enrich our understanding and skills. This guidance should also help to keep us from falling into the ambition trap that Cipher had.
- Impact: When genius is fueled by passion, it often leads to work that resonates with us on an emotional level. This connection can amplify the impact of the genius, creating works that inspire, motivate, or even transform lives.
In essence, passion serves to channel genius into meaningful, impactful actions, ensuring that talents are utilized effectively and productively.
The Gap Between Our Potential And What We Do With That Potential
I am a believer that every person has potential. It is our job as leaders to find that potential in those we serve. In the incredible novel, The Red Tower, by J. B. Simmons, Rehab tells Cipher something very important. Cipher told us, “Rehab told me our capacity for power equals the gap between our potential and what we did with it.” Rehab was playing the coach/mentor here to help Cipher identify the gap.
The phrase “our capacity for power equals the gap between our potential and what we did with it” suggested that our true strength or ability to effect change is determined by how much we tap into our potential versus what we actually accomplish. It implies that we all have inherent potential—skills, talents, and abilities—but if we do not develop and utilize these qualities or take action, then we are not fully realizing our power.
This idea can also reflect on themes of ambition, motivation, and personal growth within the story. It encourages us to consider how we engage with our own potential and the importance of taking steps towards actualizing it in order to harness true power in our lives.
Passion, Chaos, & Order
This week I finished the second book in The Five Towers series, The Red Tower, by J. B. Simmons. The second book was just as incredible as the first and I am looking forward to reading the whole series. I took so many notes about things characters said in the book and now I am reflecting and thinking deeply about those and doing some blogging. The theme in the red tower was “let passion burn.” When I begin to contrast passion, with the genius of the blue tower, whose battle cry was, “respect the mind,” we begin to see the complexities of living our lives. With three books to go, I’m sure there will be even more insight into these complexities.
In The Red Tower, there is a dragon named Behemoth. When the protagonist of the book Cipher and Emma talk to Behemoth, the dragon told them, “Passion holds chaos at its core. All was chaos before order.” The statement by Behemoth suggested a profound philosophical insight into the nature of passion and chaos. Here’s my take on the message the dragon was conveying:
- Passion and Chaos: The phrase “Passion holds chaos at its core” implies that passion, while often seen as a driving force that energizes and motivates us all, can also be unpredictable and tumultuous. It reflects the idea that intense emotions or desires can lead to disorder if not channeled properly.
- Order from Chaos: The second part, “All was chaos before order,” speaks to the cyclical nature of existence. It suggested that chaos is a fundamental state of being, and from this chaos, order emerges. This reflects a philosophical view that creation and structure often arise from initial disarray.
Behemoth’s words, in this novel, indicate a deeper understanding of the human experience: that our passions can be both a source of creativity and turmoil, and that true order often comes from confronting and embracing that chaos. In the context of the novel, this could relate to character development or the overarching themes of struggle, growth, and transformation.
Passing The Baton For The Grand Slam Homer
Of course I was watching postseason baseball last night as the New York Mets clinched the Division Series beating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-1. In that game Mets shortstop, Francisco Lindor, who I blogged about yesterday in We Are Never Bigger Than The Moment, hit a grand slam home run. In baseball that is a huge deal – scores four runs. In Mets postseason history that had only been done once before. The thing about this that I want to point out is that for Lindor to bring in the other three runs beside himself, there had to be three other players get on base ahead of him. Everyone was doing their job.
Following the game the Mets incredible manager, Carlos Mendoza, made the comment that the players were, “Passing the baton, no one is trying to do too much.” I loved this comment in the context of how this Mets team is winning in the postseason. As Derek Jeter said after the game, speaking of the Mets team, “They don’t rely on any one person to do it all.” This was referring to the collaborative culture and approach to teamwork and leadership that Mendoza and the Mets have created. Mendoza’s quote used the metaphor of a relay race, where team members pass the baton to one another, indicating that they are working together and supporting each other rather than trying to overshadow or outshine one another.
In this context, it suggests:
- Team Collaboration: Each member plays their part and trusts others to take over when necessary, fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
- Shared Success: The emphasis is on collective achievement rather than individual glory, highlighting that everyone’s contributions are valuable to the team’s success.
- Balance of Effort: It points to a balanced workload where no single person is overwhelmed by responsibilities. Instead, tasks are shared appropriately among team members.
- Empowerment and Trust: It signifies that leaders empower their team members to take charge of their roles, trusting them to perform without the need for micromanagement.
Overall, Mendoza was highlighting a healthy team dynamic where collaboration, trust, and mutual respect are prioritized, leading to greater overall success. Are your team members passing the baton around?
We Are Never Bigger Than The Moment
I love watching baseball and the post-season is always exciting. Last night after the 7-2 New York Mets win over the Philadelphia Phillies, Mets shortstop, Francisco Lindor, was asked about what the key was to everyone performing so well right now together. He said, “No one is trying to be bigger than the moment.” I loved this. We often talk about things being bigger than us or being part of something bigger than us, and I really liked this way of putting it – don’t try being bigger than the moment.
Lindor’s comment, “No one is trying to be bigger than the moment” suggested that in a specific situation or experience, people, in this case a baseball team, are focusing on what is happening right now rather than trying to overshadow it or make it about themselves. It implied an appreciation for the present, recognizing the significance of the moment without any desire to draw attention away from it or elevate individual egos. Essentially, it values humility and presence over self-importance, encouraging individuals to fully engage with their current experiences instead of seeking personal validation or recognition.
Bottom line is one person cannot win a division series or ultimately a World Series. And one person will not make your organization a winner or successful. It takes a team realizing they are not bigger than the moment.
Failure Is An Option
This past weekend, while at the World Dairy Expo, a business person made a comment to me that was intriguing. She said, “Failure is an option.” This caused me to pause because we more often use the phrase “Failure is not an option” associated with NASA Flight Director Gene Kranz and Apollo 13 – even though that is more of a movie line than real quote from Kranz. While both phrases can be useful from a mindset perspective, let’s look at the context being used this weekend when it was said that “failure is an option.”
The phrase, in the context she was using it served as a reminder that adapting to new technology, new genetic research, evolving consumer demands, new techniques, and new equipment is essential for growth, continual improvement, staying relevant, and being profitable. Embracing change, even when it involves facing challenges or setbacks, allows us to learn and innovate. Failing to learn and innovate not only makes failure an option, it makes failure inevitable. Viewing these experiences as opportunities rather than obstacles can motivate us to stay curious and engaged with the world around us. It encourages a mindset where we are open to learning new skills and exploring new possibilities, ultimately leading to greater success in both personal and professional realms. We must recognize that not exploring new possibilities will enable failure to be an option.
Building Relationships By Understanding and Appreciating
This past week I’ve had the incredible pleasure of being at the World Dairy Expo in Madison, Wisconsin. As you know we raise Jersey dairy show cows and so that is the place to be the first week of October. There will undoubtedly be posts about things I learned and my thoughts about applying what I learned to education, but for now I want to focus on something we (my wife was able to make the trip with me this year) did while in Wisconsin. One of the things I like to do is visit people I work with in the “real job” part of my life. I always say if I am within three hours of visiting someone I work with, I’m going.
I stayed true to this yesterday. We went up to Tomah, Wisconsin to visit a National FFA Mentor Teacher Ambassador I have the honor of working with in the work I do with the National FFA Organization. We spent the day with Emma Huber who teaches agriculture at Portage Community School District. Emma’s family has a cranberry marsh (farm). Before yesterday, I knew nothing about cranberry production/harvesting. This was the weekend for harvesting the cranberries and my wife and I were able to spend the day taking part in all the operations associated with harvesting cranberries. It was actually quite the family affair, with family members coming from other states to take part. We also learned all about cranberry production. Needless to say, it was a glorious day, I learned A LOT, and we got to know Emma, her husband Josh, Emma’s mom, and the rest of the family and friends.
I love days like yesterday! As a curious learner and person who believes that relationships trump all – yesterday was truly was, as I said earlier, glorious. I have had the opportunity to visit several of the Teacher Ambassadors on their home turf or in their schools. This is important to me and one of my core values, “Listen, Hear, Learn, & strive to be better.” This is part of what I call “loving” those we serve. To be loved we must be understood and appreciated. I blogged about the line, “There is no point in being loved if you are not understood…And once loved and understood to be appreciated.” in The Life Impossible by Matt Haig in Living In Our Own Context.
Visiting those we serve in their home work or personal interest environments can offer substantial value to our relationships. In other words, getting to know them on a personal level. Here are some key benefits:
- Building Trust and Rapport: Meeting people in their own space fosters a deeper connection, showing that we care about them as individuals, not just as colleagues or clients.
- Understanding Context: Home visits provide insight into the circumstances and challenges that our teams or constituents face, enabling us to make more informed decisions and policies. We agriculture teachers understand better than anyone, as ag teachers make regular visits to students as part of their Supervised Agricultural Experience Program. It really is all about building the relationship.
- Gathering Feedback: Engaging directly with those we serve allows for open dialogue and immediate feedback, which can lead to better understanding of needs and expectations.
- Demonstrating Commitment: Our presence in our friends and colleagues’ environments signal that we are committed to supporting them and valuing their input.
- Identifying Opportunities: Being on-site allows us to observe firsthand areas for improvement, innovation, and potential collaboration that might not be visible from a distance.
- Inspiring and Motivating: Seeing how our efforts impact individuals’ lives can reignite our own passion for our work and inspire those we serve.
- Encouraging a Culture of Openness: It sets an example of transparency and approachability, encouraging others in the organization to follow suit.
As a rabid learner and relationship guy, these visits are an important strategy that deepen connections and enhance my effectiveness as a leader. Make no mistake; visiting these ambassadors is a “get to,” not a “have to.” I love it!!!
Leading with Heart: Embracing Vulnerability and Purpose in Leadership
I have been a huge fan of the rap rock band Linkin Park since the beginning. Their music has exceptional storytelling qualities. The stories in their songs deliver meaning while obfuscating just enough to keep us thinking. Linkin Park’s songs carry a secret power – they make you think deeply about a subject that suddenly you are making your own sense of. Art at its highest form.
The addition of Emily Armstrong was a a perfect fit. Their comeback single The Emptiness Machine picks up right where they left off. The first time I heard it I was like, “Wow this is what people are struggling with in their careers.” How do we find purpose? How do we sort through false promises? How do we sort through the coercion, manipulation, and leadership by fear? As the song says, “Gave up who I am for who you wanted me to be; Don’t know why I’m hopin’ for what I won’t receive; Fallin’ for the promise of the emptiness machine; The emptiness machine.” The Emptiness Machine reflects themes of internal struggle, existential questioning, and the search for meaning, which offer us valuable lessons as leaders.
The lines, “I only wanted to be part of something; I only wanted to be part of, part of; I only wanted to be part of something; I only wanted to be part of, part of; I only wanted to be part of something; I only wanted to be part” say it all. We all want to belong and be part of something – not just carrying out some so called leaders prideful ambition. After food and safety on Maslow’s Pyramid comes the need to belong. We need to actively support others by getting to know them,
creating opportunities for them to make meaningful social connections and ensuring they have meaningful
contact with us.
The struggle for meaning highlighted in the song underscores the necessity of having a clear purpose. Leaders should articulate a vision that resonates with their team, providing direction and motivation. Belonging takes different forms for different people: cultural, social, sensory, embodied, spatial, material, temporal. Each of
these needs must be given consideration. Boundaries must be recognized and dismantled. To help others find a place to belong we must listen to, accept, appreciate, and understand how others’ purposes mesh with our organization’s purpose. It does not mean everyone must agree, for those differences are what make us great as individual humans and as organizations.
Everyone has some place or setting in which they can feel they belong. For some this is easily and readily attainable, but others will need additional support. Let’s make sure we are not creating organizations that are just empty machines.
Seeing Everything
I am a big-time Terry Bradshaw fan and love hearing his take on players following games. While watching him after the Patriots vs. 49ers game on Fox Sports yesterday, he made the comment that San Francisco’s quarterback, Brock Purdy, has “broad vision; he sees everything.” I got to thinking about this and that is a trait of all great leaders. This broad vision translates to making decisions. Leaders that can see everything are certain about the consequences. The difference between quarterbacks and other leaders is that quarterbacks only have a few seconds to read coverages, go through their progressions, and execute a decision.
Leaders with broad visions can see the bigger picture and understand how various elements within an organization or community fit together. This perspective allows these leaders to anticipate future challenges and opportunities, align team goals with the larger mission, and cultivate an inclusive environment where diverse viewpoints are valued.
Seeing everything means we are not only aware of immediate concerns but also consider long-term implications, trends, and the impact of decisions on different stakeholders. As leaders we need to be proactive rather than reactive, inspiring others to work towards a common goal while fostering innovation and adaptability.
Navigating the Landscape of Fairness: Balancing Universal Principles and Individual Experiences
I posted on social media this morning that I had an author to add to my favorite author list. It is J. B. Simmons. He is the author of The Five Towers series. I am finishing up the first in the series, The Blue Tower, right now. INCREDIBLE! I have learned that Simmons’ fantasy writing, that includes history and faith, is influenced by C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. I have pages of notes from reading The Blue Tower. One of the quotes from the book that I pondered on, studied, and now blog about was, “Fair…” Abram sighs. “Fair is a misused word. You can only know fairness if you know everything, which none of us do” (p. 123). Simmons uses Abram’s statement to convey a profound truth about the nature of fairness. The idea is that fairness is a complex concept that requires a comprehensive understanding of all circumstances and perspectives involved in a situation. Since no individual possesses complete knowledge of every aspect or the experiences of others, true fairness can be elusive.
“As we mingle with others, let us be diligent in labor, just in our dealings, courteous to everyone, and, above all, honest and fair in the game of life.” ~ Official Closing Ceremonies of an FFA Meeting
This statement prompts a reflection on how we often judge situations based on our limited viewpoints. It suggests that the more we acknowledge our limitations in perspective, the more compassionate and understanding we can be towards others. It encourages readers to consider the nuances of human experience and the importance of empathy in our judgments.
I have to admit, I have always taken a more objective view of fairness. C. S. Lewis addressed the concept of fairness in The Abolition of Man, where he discussed the importance of objective morality and natural law. He emphasized that fairness and justice are rooted in these universal principles rather than subjective human opinions.
Additionally, in Mere Christianity, Lewis explored the idea of fairness in the context of Christian ethics, discussing how moral behavior relates to our obligations to others and the idea of treating people with respect and dignity. Which, without spoiling the book for you, is part of what The Tower Series is about – showing individuals how they have made mistakes and mistreated others. Both J. B. Simmons and C.S. Lewis offer us valuable insights into fairness from different angles.
The view of fairness in The Blue Tower as subjective emphasized the importance of individual experiences and cultural context in determining what is fair. This approach encourages us to consider the unique circumstances of each person or community when making decisions.
On the other hand, Lewis’ perspective, which roots fairness in universal principles, suggested that there are objective standards of right and wrong that apply to all people, regardless of context. This can provide a solid foundation for ethical behavior, ensuring that we uphold certain values consistently.
Bringing these two views together can create a more nuanced approach to fairness. By acknowledging the subjective aspects of fairness—understanding that people’s perceptions and experiences shape their understanding of what is fair—we can be more empathetic and considerate in our dealings with others. At the same time, grounding our actions in universal principles ensures that we maintain a consistent moral framework.
This all highlights the need for creating spaces for open conversations about fairness, where different viewpoints can be expressed and reconciled.
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