Have we lost our moral compass?

Of late, I have been pondering what many have pondered before.  Have we as a nation lost our moral compass?
It seems as if  in our search for acceptance, freedom and inclusion, anything goes.   We not only have left our sense of judgment, we seem not to know what to judge.

We see more and more examples of erratic and bizarre behavior.   Sandy Hook, the kidnappings in Cleveland, the bombings in Boston, and countless other events have come to our attention.   Plus all of the business malpractices of the past decade, which may not have directly killed people, but indirectly shortened their lives through stress, loss of life savings, etc.

Where is the indignation? Have we become desensitized so that nothing bothers us?

There is a tendency to protect the rights of the individual to the extreme.   In defense of freedom we are perhaps becoming one of the most dangerous countries in the world.
It is time to wake up and ask ourselves.  What do we believe?  Whom do want to protect?  What do we want to protect?  Where are we going as a nation?

Reflection and Leadership

It does not matter which leadership "advice" book you read.  Everyone mentions the role of reflection.  Invariably as I teach my graduate students who are working professionals, I find that most balk at the suggestion of finding time for reflection in their daily schedule.

All of us are busy.  We all understand that.   Over the years, I have had students mention every conceivable reason why they have little or no time for reflection.   I look deeply into my own life and find the same thing.  There were months and years in which I had little time for reflection.  When I would eventually find time to reflect, I found that it did make a difference.

Now that I have been teaching about leadership for numerous years, I am more aware (of course) of the importance of reflection and make time for it.

I don't do daily reflection, but I try to make reflection a part of my life.   Finding even 10-15 minutes alone (even 5) during the day can help.   At work, sometimes close the door (or if there is no door), take a walk during lunch and sit on a park bench or walk along.

Drop the iPhone or Android phone for a few minutes.   There are few people more devoted to e-mail than I, but I avoid taking out my iPad, Blackberry or other tools in social settings.    I don't text.  I send e-mails instead.  It achieves the same thing but does not signal the person and does not require a separate word structure.     Instead of looking at your mobile device during breaks, close your eyes and reflect.  Reflect on your life, your goals, your progress.  Good luck.