“Humans Were Made To Work Together”
Earlier today, in Leading By The Courage To See, I blogged about developing our courage by listening and seeing. This had been inspired by my reading in The Upside of Disruption: The Path To Leading and Thriving In The Unknown by Terence Mauri and the fourth book in The Five Towers series, The Yellow Tower, by J. B. Simmons. Still quoting out of the same paragraph as yesterday in The Yellow Tower, I want to tackle the line, “Humans were made to work together.” I believe this was emphasizing emphasizing the importance of collaboration and community in human life. It suggests that we thrive when we support and rely on one another, highlighting our social nature.
In The Upside of Disruption, Mauri also pointed out that the heart of successfully evolving and innovating is collaboration (humans working together). He stressed that great ideas rarely come from individuals isolated from everyone else. As John Hendrix says, “Our work gets better in community.” Just like C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien needed each other and the rest of the Inklings, we need teams working together and collaborations to create new and exciting innovations.
The lesson here is that teamwork, connections, partnerships, collaborations, and shared experiences enrich our lives, organizations, and communities. Working together leads to greater innovation, problem-solving, and a sense of belonging.
Leading By The Courage To See
I finished reading the fourth book in The Five Towers series, The Yellow Tower, by J. B. Simmons, a couple of weeks ago but came across a few more notes I wanted to process from the reading. One of the things Cipher (the protagonist) was told was, “It takes courage to see.” This suggested that seeing beyond the surface requires bravery and introspection. This also implied that truly understanding oneself and the world involves confronting uncomfortable truths, acknowledging vulnerabilities, and facing fears.
This kind of insight often demands stepping outside of our comfort zone and challenging prevailing beliefs or perceptions. By highlighting the need for courage in gaining deeper understanding, Simmons, through Cipher, was emphasizing the transformative power of awareness and the importance of personal growth.
I’m reading The Upside of Disruption: The Path To Leading and Thriving In The Unknown right now and author Terence Mauri explained that courage is not innate and can be developed. In fact, he suggested we can sharpen our courage by listening and eliminating our preconceived notions. In a program I was facilitating a week ago, a school principal made the comment, “We need to listen, even when it hurts.” So true!
Another sentence the same paragraph in The Yellow Tower that I first quoted in this post is, “The Healer shows those who serve the most in Yellow how to heal, and those who lead the most how to see.” By stating that those who serve in Yellow (associated with warmth, optimism, and connection) learn to heal, it suggested that service to others can lead to personal growth and emotional resilience. It implied that through acts of kindness and support, we can foster healing, both for ourselves and those we help.
Furthermore, the idea that leaders learn to “see” indicated that leading with influence involves empathy and awareness. We, as leaders, must look beyond our own perspectives to understand the needs and experiences of others. This kind of insight is vital for fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Service and leadership are enriched by a deeper understanding of human connections, ultimately leading to a more harmonious and effective community.
Tyranny And Power Of The Self
I’m now fully engrossed in the fifth book of J. B. Simmons’ The Five Towers Series, The Black Tower. The Black Tower was really the Purple Tower until evil ambition for power removed all color and it became black. The protagonist, Cipher, spent time learning about the evils of ambition for power without a purpose for good. During a conversation about the strong, even if evil, rising to power in the Black Tower, Jade told Cipher, “Then take power yourself and change it…” Jade smirked at the irony of her words. Cipher then responded, “Maybe I will.” Then Cipher thought to himself, “She’s partly right, but wrong too. It’s what we do with power that matters, not power itself” (p. 147). This is really pretty profound to think about – power itself mattering less than how it is used.
History tells us how true this is with many examples. Throw in unbridled power being driven by selfish ambitions and it is a recipe for disaster. We must recognize, however, that power is always at play in any organization or community. Additionally, power is difficult to observe in action.
The mantra in The Black Tower was “The strong shall rise.” This is purely blind ambition for power – the dark side of power we often see in leaders and organizations: politics and game playing. But…power is the means and mechanism by which we get things done. It is all about how we earn and use the power we have. Power is used best astutely. Power is used best strategically. Power does not need to be used in a visible or explicit way to be effective. Remember, the best use of power is difficult to observe.
Another comment Cipher made was, “I yearned to have power, to create something that changed the world, even if it meant bending others to my will. It was tyranny of the self, not justice” (p. 338). There is so much to unpack here in this quote. The Black Tower gives us examples of power in its narrowest of spheres of influence. Academically this would be called legitimate power. This is positional power of authority. Again, this power has very little influence. As Cipher realized, this is power for power’s sake; or purely ambition and pride. There is no real purpose.
Conversely to positional power we have personal power – referent power. With this power the individual earns the respect and admiration of others. This leadership is driven by purpose rather than ambition. So many times we play power off as a bad thing, but power is what gives us the ability to cause a psychological change in behaviors, beliefs, values, and goals of others. Without purpose, that power is driven by ambition and becomes “tyranny of the self.”
Genius Needs Community
I love it when books I am reading become interrelated without there being an intentional connection of my reading them at the same time. I had read the incredible book The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by award winning author, John Hendrix, while reading The Five Towers Series by J. B. Simmons. Interestingly, as is obvious by the title, The Mythmakers is about the relationship between C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and Simmons was heavily influenced by Lewis and Tolkien. Simmons was inspired by hearing The Chronicles of Narnia read to him as a child.
I had the opportunity to be with John Hendrix this week to hear the process behind the creation of his The Mythmakers graphic novel at the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College. Which, by the way, Mythmakers is like nothing you’ve ever read before – it’s brilliant. One of the points Hendrix drove home at the end of his presentation was, “Our work gets better in community.” As he pointed out, without the fellowship of Lewis and Tolkien we don’t get to read about Narnia or Middle-earth. Hendrix stressed that we all need community and our own Inklings.
Then, the next day as I was reading in The Yellow Tower, by J. B. Simmons, Cipher (the protagonist) was told “Genius requires company to truly thrive. I’m sure you have figured out by now that your friends here are no coincidence.” This reemphasized the importance of collaboration and community in the creative process that Hendrix had explained the night before. Then I had the thought that it really was no coincidence that the unlikely friendship of Tolkien and Lewis happened. Think about the unlikely coincidental meeting of others in your own life.
Here are some key takeaways that I had from this idea of genius requiring company:
- Collaboration Enhances Innovation: Genius isn’t just an individual trait; it flourishes when ideas are exchanged and developed through interaction with others. This suggests that diverse perspectives can lead to greater creativity and breakthroughs.
- Support Systems: Genius needing company implied that even the most brilliant minds need support from peers, mentors, or a community to nurture ideas and refine talents. This highlighted the value of relationships and networks in personal and professional growth. I really want to for form my own Inklings!
- Shared Knowledge: Engaging with others allows for the sharing of knowledge and experiences, which can inspire and challenge us to think differently and expand our horizons.
- Encouragement and Motivation: Surrounding ourselves with creative and innovative individuals can provide the encouragement needed to pursue ambitious goals. This support can be crucial in overcoming obstacles and self-doubt.
- Collective Growth: Genius is portrayed as not just an isolated talent but part of a larger tapestry of human endeavor.
This all reinforces the idea that societal progress relies on collaborative efforts rather than individual brilliance alone. The world needs community!
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.
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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