November 3, 2020. This day has been a focal point for me; The day has evoked curiosity, anxiety, and nervousness.
And, it is upon us.
I am looking forward to November 4, 2020. There are so many paths the next day may take, and so many choices people and organizations may make. I have found solace in ideas of the stoics. For example:
“Don’t seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.”
Epictetus
As November 3 approached over the past months, my sense of frustration at the manifest tribalism of political identification has grown stronger and more front of mind. How it is possible that apparent support for law enforcement has become partisan? How is it possible that the words “black lives matter” have become polarizing? It seems the only issue on which there is national consensus is that our current deficit and national debt are not issues of today. (Maybe November 4.)
I have found myself looking for tools by which to understand and cope with all this. Over the past few weeks, sources of reflection included a comment on Linked In, ideas from the Lincoln Project, writings about mass incarceration and stoicism, as well as Dr. Seuss.
A few weeks ago, in an afternoon review of network updates on LinkedIn, I noticed a comment from @MichaelTurpin about how people join, integrate into, and depart organizations. He shared a model of come to believe where a person joins an organization (come,) then develops an intellectual understanding of the organization (come to,) and finally commit to the organization emotionally (come to believe.) Turpin writes:
“When people leave a relationship or a job, the opposite happens in order. They first stop emotionally believing in their situation and soon may stop intellectually buying in — even showing it with a failure to meet or exceed the requirements of their position. Finally, they physically leave.”
Michael Turpin
When I read this, I immediately thought about organizations in which I have worked. Turpin’s words ring true. I also thought about the roles of citizens and populist trends in America, as well movements led by the likes of Le Pen, Orban, and Bolsonaro.
I am curious to hear Mr. Turpin’s views of how this idea should apply to our approach to citizenship and governance in our increasingly global and interconnected world.
The New Jim Crow
A few weeks ago, I reached out to some friends opining on the BLM movement. I was looking to better understand the 2020 context of arguments favoring the existence of institutional racism. This book was suggested by a former classmate from NYU. I do not feel ignorant of American history; However, my initial reading of Alexander’s book left me feeling that I have a very underwhelming knowledge of the history of American civil rights. I feel a sense of gratitude for discovering this work, and look forward to learning more.
Epictetus wrote, “Nature hath given men one tongue but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.” Steven Covey wrote about seeking first to understand, and then to be understood. I feel committed to investing into these ideas personally, and learning about perspectives of history through the lense provided by Ms Alexander seems worthwhile.
The Lincoln Project
Thinking about Turpin’s words applied to the Republican Party, it seems that Steve Schmidt followed the path out deliberately. I have followed the emergence of Lincoln Project’s influence with curiosity. I came across this interview with Steve Schmidt yesterday evening. If you are curious about his motivation, vision, and framework for operating this highly influential operation, you may find this podcast to be gripping.
Schmidt is a powerful communicator and informed historian who weaves influences of military leaders and philosophers into this discussion of his priorities and views of the current national political milieu. I discussed it with Camilla earlier and intend to re-listen with her later this week. I find both unique pragmatism and optimism in his words.
Stoic Challenges and Pomodoro Method
I have searched for tools by which to cope with a desire to have honest dialogue and inquiry about the challenges facing our society while recognizing, from a pragmatic perspective, that as a business man, simply stating certain (seemingly uncontroversial) beliefs can create an undesirable impasse. So, how does one remain pragmatic and authentic and not compromise one’s integrity?
Perhaps this was Jesus’ point when expressing that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” I do not believe this, though.
Rather, I enjoy the ideas of stoicism. In the book below, Irvine offers a framework informed by classical stoicism and modern psychology, including Kahneman and Tversky, to help create simple mental habit for confronting set-backs and challenges. I was introduced to the works of Seneca, Aurelius, and Epictetus just over the past few years; This book is a an easy read and is quite enjoyable. I recommend it.
Additionally, I have found similar value in some of the ideas of Professor Chugh. I started this blogpost based upon her recent newsletter, in fact! Check it out here: Dolly Chugh’s newsletter
So, it is 10:30pm on 11/3/20. I have not checked in on the state of the election. I am hopeful, though. Between the ideas of modern stoics, optimism of Steve Schmidt, and personal belief that a) the world is what we make of it and b) the arc of history bends towards justice, I am prepared to accept the results and reactions in stride. I hope we can all participate in helping create a more healthy, just, and abundant future for future generations.
I keep re-reading Dr. Seuss’ book about Sneetches. I don’t know precisely what his point was in writing the book, but I do love the end.
“The Sneetches got really quite smart on that day. The day they decided that Sneetches are Sneetches. And no kind of Sneetch is the best on the beaches. That day, all the Sneetches forgot about stars and whether they had one, or not, upon thars.”
Dr. Seuss
See you all on 11/4!
Comments
Very thoughtful, Jens, as always. My own feeling about the outcome of this election is that beyond who wins and who loses, the actual work — of repairing the world — remains essentially the same. Some aspects of this task may become more difficult, we may feel frustrated or even feel despair; but human nature itself has not changed, compassion itself has not changed, love has not changed, our ability to do good in the world — hopefully — has not changed.