May 2010 Deep Insights

Generations have struggled with change for eternity. Believing the future cannot deliver its potential until everyone adopts their truths, each generation created a process that allows others to embrace their truths without resistance. Each generation believes they invented this process. As time passes, the elder generation, having invented its own truths, stands firm to resist the transition. The generation initiating the new wave of truths finds an even younger generation nipping at their heels. Each successive generation is unaware that they are a part of a cycle that has survived time, a cycle that enables each to reach its goals. New truths are omnipresent and as they emerge each generation is brought full circle, recognizing they too will face a world of uncertainty as they now struggle to change. The struggle is best described by Machiavellian’s PRINCE:

“It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things. For the reformer has enemies in all those who would profit by the old order, and only lukewarm defenders in all those who would profit by the new order. This lukewarmness arises partly from the fear of their adversaries, who have the laws in their favor; and partly from the incredulity of mankind, who do not truly believe in anything new until they have had the actual experience of it.”

The answer to navigating the new world lies within mankind, if each generation embraces the reality that new order brings new truths. New truths develop yet another new order. No order is for eternity. The cycle will begin again and again. Leaders must encourage others to embrace the process of dialogue as described in Appearances and Realities:

“If people who do not understand each other at least understand they do not understand each other, then they understand each other better than when, not understanding each other, they do not even understand that they do not understand each other.”

The individual’s challenge is to adopt a mind set of curiosity not certainty. Answering the question, “How can I remain open to the information I lost when I went looking for the information I found.”