Leadership - A discussion of traits, characteristics, and current news of leaders.

Hal Halladay’s post Mel Gibson’s Passion and Penance intrigued me for a few reasons… mostly because it reminded me that when we wire for bigotry… the brain synergizes those wires. First let me say that ... we all wire mentally for bigotry in one area or another and at some point in our lives. Quite recently a racial slur slipped into an otherwise interesting movie I watched with a good friend in London. I was smitten by the slur because it diminished my friend's culture... but would I have been as smitten if I'd been there with a friend from my own culture? Not sure. Perhaps I'd have seen it as a mere slight or as simply representing the "real world." That question bothered me for days... because bigotry grows when we passively accept comments that devalue ANY human. Does it happen where you work?

Mel Gibson,  actor, producer, director and Oscar winner was arrested for DUI July 28th in Malibu. Because he neglected to reboot his brain he flew into an anti-Semitic tirade and the media cried BIGOTRY as a result.
 

Just as Hollywood is no stranger to bad behavior, we all have issues in life where we see ourselves as superior to another person or group. As Hal pointed out: “In Gibson’s case, it actually took two apologies but the second feels like more than just words. It was not only an acknowledgement of wrong-doing but an action plan to get things right. In a crisis, a pro-active plan leads to support and understanding, particularly if the plan is followed by action.”

The action itself will rewire the brain for understanding and empathy… beyond bigotry. Many people cannot believe Mel’s words: "I am not an anti-Semite. I am not a bigot," or cannot trust Gibson's statement ... "Hatred of any kind goes against my faith. I'm not just asking for forgiveness. I would like to take it one step further, and meet with leaders in the Jewish community, with whom I can have a one-on-one discussion to discern the appropriate path for healing."

That’s because we witnessed Mel's actions which showed his brain wired for their opposite, and the same is often true for ourselves as leaders whenever we fail to.

1. include other cultures or genders for top positions with competitive salaries
2. find ways for different voices to speak and feel heard at work
3. value unique approaches to solving problems in ways that respect diversity

It’s far easier to disdain Mel’s words spoken in a drunken state ... than to reflect on our words to build caring business communities in a state of soberness.

In fact maybe Gibson’s words show bigotry  on the surface … but have already shaped deeper understanding by some… as Jewish leader, Rabbi Daniel Lapin suggests in Toward Tradition, when he graciously defends Gibson: