Educator, Speaker, Coach, Writer, Creator advancing the forces of Character, Purpose and Unity for genuine Leadership... with Educators, Entrepreneurs and Emerging Leaders building a better world.
Yesterday, I noticed this post from Arlene Dickinson... speaking to the journey of being an Entrepreneur. In it, she notes...
Starting a business is often portrayed as a bold leap into instant success, but the reality is so very different. It’s not glamorous; it’s gritty. Success sure as heck doesn’t come overnight — it comes after years of showing up, learning from failures, doing the piles of work no one else sees (or wants to do) and investing more of yourself than you thought you’d have to give. There are late nights when major doubts creep in, and mornings when the to-do list feels endless. Progress is often painfully slow, and sometimes it feels like you’re moving backward. But anyone who’s done it, and battled through it, knows that every small win, every lesson learned, eventually adds up. Success is arrived at in a cumulative way. Building something meaningful takes time, resilience, tenacity and patience. There are no shortcuts, but that’s also what makes the journey really rewarding. If it sounds exhausting it’s because it is - but the reward is found in the tireless challenge of the pursuit. If you’ve been through it (or are in it now) I’m curious what advice you’d give someone who’s just starting out that will help make their journey just a bit easier?
My First Response
First, I am in absolute and sincere agreement, having grown up amidst an entrepreneurial family and with my own road around business (40+ years) and business education (30+ years). I certainly concur... not that Arlene needs my concurrence lol. Resilience, Tenacity and Patience are needed... and they are each Virtues; our Strengths of Character.
My Second Thought
In Arlene's thoughts expressed, she references the idea of creeping doubt. We all experience it... and the world is seemingly an ever increasingly uncertain place. Indeed, change is all around us. Uncertainty abounds. I know it is true for me... and for us all. For me, beyond the changes in technology, demographics, economics, the geo-political, and the cultural, I deal with my own chosen transition to Next Chapter and the uncertainties of same. "Re-tiring" in 2024 was about putting new tires on the car that is my Life. And that remains a work in progress... with its own uncertainties. Its is my genuine belief and contention that, in times of change and challenge, Character matters ever more so. And, with that in mind and heart, I now suggest that, on the road of Entrepreneurship, both Empathy and Endurance matter.
Empathy is the connector Virtue; and we are soft wired with it. We all have access to it, especially when practiced. With it, we seek to understand in order to best respond. We listen with Caring and Compassion, refraining from judgement and shame. We consider the impact of our choices, practicingCaring for ourselves and others. It builds the bridges of Cooperation. And we can and must practice it with ourselves as much as we need do it in our engagement with others. The 5th Strategy of the Virtues Project provides a structure for such empathetic conversation within and without.
Indeed and in deed, in and with The Humanity Map, I engage this Strategy and its steps.... both internally with my own dialogue within... and without. I recommend the practice. I would add that, with Empathy, we are exploring our hUmaNITY. And then there is...
Endurance is the grit to go, and keep going. It is the builder of the long bridges and roads of our lives. It is the get up and go over the longer road. We find our Strength...
... to face adversity, learning our lessons and moving ever forward. Now, I encourage us all to consider an empathetic Endurance, walking the long road and listening within and without. For me, such Consideration matters ever more now, as I navigate not only changes in the world demographically, economically, technologically, socioculturally and geo-politically.. but in my transition into Next Chapter. The Virtues of Empathy and Endurance are not unlike two practiced footsteps I need continuously take to move forward.
Thoughts to Ponder
What might empathetic Endurance look like to you in practice?
I offer that, in most challenges around sustained and sustainable progress across the world, continued and ever deeper study, practice and advancement of Character in Leadership and Culture is necessary to develop the capacities to face the seismic and even historic changes and challenges in the world today. Many of the old world skills, abilities and knowledge are not answering the call. The world has myriad needs to be metand a future calling out.And, in these times of change and challenge and uncertainty, Character is evermorevital. Indeed, when past and current answers are not meeting the call or need, new answers are needed. That said, the alternative is to accept that "we are what we are" and continue as normal. My thought is that there is a real case for Character.I am once and yet again reminded that Baha'u'llah said, "The betterment of the world can be accomplished through pure and goodly deeds, through commendable and seemly conduct." And, I am reminded of the words of Margaret Mead in saying, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
The Noblellion will indeed continue. Insh'allah. Coincidentally or not, Empathy and Endurance are the 35th and 36th Virtues dug a bit into to date... and I truly believe help in walking the road of business. Let us Humanize and Characterize.
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"The most learned or experienced person is not always the one who helps us grow and thrive. We all grow and thrive with those who ask the important questions in a loving and Noble manner - with the patience to allow our thinking to unfold, our feelings to emerge and our spirits to soar. This is what being in the same space with Barry is like. Working with Barry on #hUmaNITY is such a joy. I feel the excitement of standing before a blank canvas at the beginning of every gathering, exploring the depths of our creative energies throughout the conversations shared, and emerging at the end with a piece that I could not have painted singularly even on my best days. That is what conversations with Barry feels like. He is organized and efficient. Fearless and Bold. Lives with arms wide open.... and has the best questions (which begin with "I wonder....") asked in a most inclusive manner within a safe space that I often forget we are recording and that others will be witnessing our responses." - Russell Zehtab
"Barry is compassionately honest. He has the talent to say what needs to be said in a way that people "get" it. His honesty and intelligence come through whether he is presenting on stage or just hanging out with friends. And...have you heard him sing? Man... he has a set of lungs that can wail a tune. Talented, smart and funny, when he takes the stage, he commands the stage." - Lea Brovedani
"It takes immense strength of character to insistently amplify the goodness of every individual whose destiny crosses path with one’s own, no matter how briefly. This is who Barry is. The precious gift of Barry’s faith in you compels an irrepressible desire to show up as the best version of yourself. And in a world aching for radical hope and pragmatic wisdom, Barry is the gentle torch bearer whose light is constant amidst the maelstrom of fads. Should you then find your path intersecting with Barry’s, pause for a while in his companionship, and make space for the gift of his life-changing attention. I know because I paused. Barry, my heart continues to expand with immense gratitude for your indescribable presence. And this gift of an expanding heart, is priceless 🌹" - Dr. Roslina Chai
I had the privilege of collaborating with Barry on one of our projects, Her Own Boss. His skill in value-based facilitation is nothing short of transformative. With a warm, inclusive teaching style, he connected deeply with our participants, helping them uncover their core values and guiding them in applying these principles to their businesses. I heard great things about him from our previous cohort and I witnessed that firsthand when I attended some of his sessions. If you're looking for someone who can train you/your team in values-driven facilitation, look no further than Barry. - Serah Gazali
Working with Barry Lewis Green is a lovely silver lining to navigating through Covid times. We connected for thoughtful monthly Digital Coffees. Barry’s ease with the art of meaningful conversation and asking questions that inspire me to dig deeper always result in a joy-filled journey through many topics. I am one of many colleagues Barry engages with regularly for TUG TV - so many topics, something truly for everyone! Barry’s charismatic personality and zeal for life makes it an absolute joy to work on any project with him. And just wait until Barry launches his BOXSA project! - Elaine Dunphy
