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1) June 17, 2020 - A Failure of Nerve
2) One of the best leadership books I have ever read is "A Failure of Nerve" by Edwin Friedman.
3) Friedman was a rabbi for 20 years, an organizational and family therapist for 25 years, and worked in the Lyndon Johnson administration. His eclectic experience gave him a unique perspective on leadership.
4) His core thesis is that leaders fail most often because they lack the nerve and presence to stand firm in the midst of the chaos around them.
5) What chaos? Friedman asserts that American culture is becoming a regressive emotional climate that is toxic, and speaks in terms of unhealthy emotional systems. These systems exhibit specific characteristics:
6) Unhealthy emotional systems are reactive. People react passionately, aggressively, even viciously to circumstances and to each other.
7) Unhealthy emotional systems are marked by herding. They value sticking together over progress. Members are intolerant of individuality. They pressure the group to adapt to the demands of the least mature members and criticize leaders for hurting or being cruel to these people.
8) Unhealthy emotional systems involve blame shifting, behaving like victims instead of taking responsibility for problems and solutions. Group members increasingly criticize and blame leaders for failing to provide for their safety and happiness.
9) Unhealthy emotional systems demand quick-fixes. People demand that their leaders move quickly to alleviate their pain.
10) Unhealthy emotional systems have poor leadership. Leaders lose a sharp sense of vision, become reactionary, cave into criticism, and are no longer challenged to grow.
11) Now, consider The Left. The CHOP in Seattle. The angry and violent Floyd protestors. Social Justice Warriors. The Cancel Culture. The Thought Police. The Word Police. The Media. All unhealthy emotional systems.
12) Edwin Friedman died unexpectedly in 1996 while writing A Failure of Nerve. His family, friends and collegaues would not allow his manuscript to die with him. The book was published in 1999.
13) What do you think Friedman would think of 2020 America? I suspect that words could not adequately convey his sadness.
14) The toothpaste is out of the tube. The American Left is an unhealthy emotional system. They are trying to make ALL of America an unhealthy emotional system. Does Friedman give us an answer?
15) Yes. Leaders must "get outside the emotional climate of the day." They must show "persistence in the face of resistance and downright rejection." They must exhibit 'stamina in the face of sabotage along the way"...
16) And and they must be "headstrong and ruthless" - at least in the eyes of others.
17) This is up to us. We are the stability that has led to 244 years of prosperity in this country. We are the constant. It is my belief that the silent majority that shocked the world in 2016 is growing.
18) At one time they were called Reagan Democrats...or Clinton Republicans. They have reached their limit on absurdity. They are not being polled. They do not speak because it is currently not safe to do so.
19) But on November 3, the will again enter the voting booth. No media. No thought police. No virtue signaling bullies. They will ponder all that has happened.
20) They will not vote for someone who threatens their way of life. Who seeks to take way their freedoms. They will not vote to make all of America an unhealthy emotional system. They will stand firm. And once again, they will shock the world.
