Random thoughts on leadership

This blog is an experiment.. The various successful bloggers have influenced me to try blogging myself.

I will be sharing thoughts, books, book reviews and other content.

It's an open, electronic diary and journal.

Monday, July 22, 2013

The Vocation of Leadership

Many aspire to be leaders.   The reasons vary.  Fame. Glory.  Service. Personality.  Drive. Money.  I can go on and on.

But, if we feel called to lead where we are here and now, that may very well be our vocation.   It is not a matter of seeking a lofty position.or making a lot of money.  It is a matter of serving here and now, where we are, and in what we are doing.  

It may not be lofty.   It may be heading a bake sale at a school or church.  It may be coaching a kids' team.  It may be leading a PTA.   In these examples, serving is the key.   Someone has to lead, but few want the responsibility.   Assuming the responsibility for the task is a leadership role, and it may very well be our vocation.  

Leadership opportunities come up every day.   Often we tune them out or ignore them.   If we listen for those opportunities, we may find our calling.  In every day life.  Without glory.  Without recognition.  But it is true leadership and it may be out calling.  

Monday, July 8, 2013

Whatever happened to the movies???

Have you gone to the movies lately?  I have not.  There seems to be a festival of violence, animated films, and a lot of serialized films, such as Pirates of the Caribbean and others like it. 
I have not had the urge to go to the movies for a long while even though I have a major theater nearby.   I have not seen Lincoln yet, but will see it when it is available on Netflix.  
Even the new films on Netflix do not seem to appeal to me, and I go back to  old classics. 
What has happened?   Lynda Obst, in her new book, Sleepless in Hollywood,  a noted Hollywood producer, tells us that the criteria for  a new film are whether it will sell abroad and whether it can be serialized.   An occasional exception is made for superstars such as George Clooney and Brad Pitt.  
What we think of as women's films have essentially disappeared.   The rationale is that women will go to see men's films, but men will not go to see women's films.  This woman refuses to go to the intentionally violent, spooky, bizarre, and outerworldly.   I also think there is enough animation on TV that it is unnecessary on the big screen.

I wonder whether the executives in Hollywood watch the films they make or whether they confine their viewing to the $$$$ on the spreadsheet.
Film as an art form is vanishing.    I am a long time film buff and film collector.   I am frustrated as are many other people.   Attendance at films is going down and has declined for a long while.   It is time for Hollywood to reconsider its role.   a