A few months ago, by wife and I got rid of our cable TV. Why? We were finding that there was seldom anything on that we felt was really worthwhile watching during the fairly limited opportunities we had to watch. (Sidebar: we haven’t missed it at all!).

In addition to reading more with the time we may have watched TV, we have started to watch more DVD movies. You might guess that we’re not generally in for the latest Hollywood blockbuster. Instead, we usually head for the “road less travelled” at the video store.

A couple of days ago, Fiona came home with a movie that we didn’t recall hearing about called The Great Debaters, released on Christmas Day 2007.

Because we haven’t generally heard much about the movies that we rent, it’s always sort of an adventure to watch them – sometimes you win, other times not so much.

As we started to watch this movie though, my expectations were heightened from the very beginning when I discovered that Oprah Winfrey had co-produced it, and Denzel Washington both directed it and played the leading role (the professor).

It didn’t disappoint. Have a look at the trailer (2:30) to get a sense of what the movie’s about.

Why am I telling you about this? Here’s why:

• media has such a tremendous power to inspire, uplift and motivate. This movie is a great example of that power amidst a sea of other fluff that doesn’t. Sadly, you’re not likely to hear about the great stuff as much as the fluff;
• this movie has powerful messages about pursuing your dreams and believing in yourself and what’s possible if you try;
• the leading character is a person of strong conviction and an inspiring agent for social change. He sees the (potential) strength of character in others and gives them the space and opportunities to find their own strength…a great model for all of us in our leadership.

There is an moving dialogue between the professor and the team that becomes their mantra:

Question: Who is the judge?
Response: The judge is God.
Question: Why is he God?
Response: Because he decides who wins or loses. Not my opponent.
Question: Who is your opponent?
Response: He does not exist.
Question: Why does he not exist?
Response: Because he is a mere dissenting voice of the truth I speak!

Wow! It makes me wonder how firmly as leaders we believe in the truths that we stand for in our own leadership?

In a world of mediocrities and “whatever” thinking, what truths are we so committed to that we speak it and defend it without worrying about our opponents? Without concern for our naysayers?

Granted it’s a movie, AND, it is important to know that it is based on a true story. The passion that the team was able to speak from was firmly grounded in knowing their own truths and what mattered most to them about the way the world needed to change and what their part is making that change happen.

What are your truths about how the world needs to change? What matters most to you? What are you prepared to be passionately outspoken about? How are you speaking your truths in the world? What do you need to do today to move it forward?

Watch this movie and consider it from your own leadership in the world – it is a gem (I watched it a second time).

And as always, please tell us your thoughts below

P.S. Click here (see Inspiration Video) for other recommended picks for high quality, inspirational movies.

Technorati Tags: community, connecting, inspire, Leadership, oprah winfrey, social change, the great debaters, truth

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about a hero? 

Chances are that images of Superman, Wonder Woman or one of their super-counterparts come to mind first.  As children, we love to believe in the possibility of being able to make right any situation gone wrong, to single-handedly overcome evil with good, and to be publicly loved for it!    

Best-selling author, lecturer and host of TLC’s Shalom In The Home, Rabbi Schmuley Boteach recently spoke about heroes and their motivations: 

“Always be the hero without the spotlight. There are two kinds of heroes. There is one kind of hero that is always in the spotlight—he’s in front of a camera and wants to make millions of dollars. That is a very showy kind of heroism. He lives to impress other people. Then there’s the hero without the spotlight, who is the one whose influence really continues.”

Our society today is programmed for instant gratification…if I do this for you, what’s in it for me and how soon will I get it?

What Rabbi Schmuley points to is a very different paradigm…I will do this for you because you need it or because it is just the right thing to do and I am able to help.  I know I will find joy for having helped you, and beyond that I don’t know what other good may come from my efforts, although I hold hope that you will pay it forward to others.  What if we were to hold our focus on freely giving what we are able, and allowing the rewards that flow from our actions to simply arise?

Although some live by this paradigm daily, it challenges the rest of us – why?  It seems it has much to do with our perceived need to feed our egos in the present moment – like our superhero friends when they catch the bad guy and immediately receive public accolades.  Perhaps we don’t trust that there will be any rewards for our actions, so why bother? 

Think of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. who made great personal sacrifices for the cause of civil rights in the U.S. in the 1960s, and never saw the full impact of his work before being assassinated.  What drove him?  He saw great injustice and chose to focus all of his gifts, talents and experience on what he could do.  Did he expect to garner personal rewards and recognition for his efforts?  I doubt it.  Did he experience joy in knowing that the injustice was on its way to being overcome?  Likely.  Did he have a lasting impact on racism in the U.S. beyond his time?  He sure did!

As leaders in community, we need to ask ourselves what is motivating our own actions (or inactions perhaps)?  We don’t need to take on causes of the magnitude of civil rights in the 1960s necessarily (unless we do!).  We do need to ask ourselves however where the needs or injustices in our own communties are and commit ourselves to bringing our unique gifts, talents and experience to bear on finding solutions.  We might just discover that the rewards are far greater than we ever imagined!

So, consider the communities that you belong to (e.g., family, neighbourhood, faith group, special interest group, civic, etc.). What is one opportunity where you could lead in finding a solution to a need or injustice that others are facing in your community?  What first step are you committed to taking to address it?  Tell us below and inspire others in this community! 

Technorati Tags: actions, egos, heroes, heroism, influence, injustice, inspire, motivation, needs, recognition, rewards, sacrifices

What is a belief anyway?  One definition from the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the following:

“a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing”.

In other words, a belief is a feeling of certainty about the meaning of something.  Beliefs can either be limiting or empowering.  To be empowering, a belief must be closely aligned with our underlying values – the things in life that really matter most to us.

Many of our beliefs (and values) often quietly evolve from the many influences in our life.  What we think and feel has an enormous impact on who and what we become.  Our beliefs and values drive that process.  Sadly, many of us never take the time to really become conscious to what our beliefs and values are. If we did, we might well find that many of our beliefs and values are not serving us well.  The good news is that we can intentionally choose our beliefs and values if we decide to.

I came across a wonderful organization today called mondonation based in my hometown of Vancouver, Canada.  mondonation’s focus is about getting us to take a moment to determine at least one of the most important beliefs that we hold, and really owning it by printing it on a t-shirt to wear for others to notice.  As they state on their web site,

 ”mondonation is an experiment built around the idea that if we all share our beliefs on a daily basis, by wearing them on our bodies, they will grow in strength. This will begin to affect the people who wear their beliefs and also everyone they come into contact with…

“The things we think and say are as important as the food we eat.”

the bottom line is when enough people focus their energy in a positive direction, amazing things will happen. The things we think and say are as important as the food we eat.”

This in itself would be cool enough, but what I love most is what happens before and after! 

• Another one of their stated goals is “to produce our products in a developing country where we can ensure the employees are paid a fair wage, have access to medical care, and can provide other benefits like holiday time and educational opportunities“. 
• In addition, mondonation donates a portion of the purchase price to one of the designated charities on their web site – which YOU as the buyer get to pick! 

I love all aspects of their model because they each make a positive contribution in the world and help to build stronger communities.

When ordering my t-shirt, I chose the following belief to print “I believe that a hero is someone who does what he or she can“.  To me, this is such an empowering belief for three reasons. 

1. It allows space for every single person to be a hero, regardless of their means or circumstances. 
2. We become heroes when and only when we achieve (realize) what we are capable of doing (potential).  Talk is cheap as they say.  And what we are actually capable of doing is usually far, far greater than what we ever imagine initially.
3. It is silent about the context in which you “can”.  Therefore, it includes doing what you can in every context and situation, and particularly in the communities that you touch.

So my question to you my friend – what is the belief that you choose to own publically as a leader in community?  I encourage you to feel it, then claim it! 

Make it official and post your belief below…

Technorati Tags: beliefs, community, heroes, inspire, leader, Leadership, values