A CRISIS OF LEADERSHIP, GOVERNANCE & INSTITUTIONAL DYSFUNCTION
No matter our political party or ideology, we’ve all experienced the truth of government dysfunction in recent years. And just when we hoped/thought we might influence that at the ballot box, the coronavirus sweeps us all off our feet and slaps us with a greater reality. Our challenge is much more than governance. We’re realizing that the underpinnings of the American Dream have all been compromised, and that the institutions that make community/country function effectively…DON’T.
Our big reveal, hinted at increasingly over the past several years, can no longer be ignored…if we want to regain our stature as an admired and responsible international player. We The People have been complicit, through fault and default, in enabling a government that has not served our best interests. An honest assessment can easily find critical areas of opportunity for structural change and renewal…Education, Environment, Responsive Governance, Healthcare, Immigration, Infrastructure, International Relations, Trade, Social Justice, Climate Change, Economic Opportunity, Military Strength, etc., etc. Overwhelming institutional deterioration. We can’t wait to incrementally patch them up over time. WE NEED A BIG BOOST OF AMERICAN INGENUITY!
STARTING THE CONVERSATION…WITH NO CLAIM OF EXPERTISE
My experience as a community activist/catalyst working with business, government and non-profit leaders at local, State and National levels gives me some claim to expertise, but no presumption that I’ve got all the answers. This pandemic chaos prompts my conscience to propose a burst of creative collaborative thinking to lift us out of this mess. I’m going to mention potential leadership names and areas of interest…to start the conversation. The nature of this introduction is to acknowledge that this is merely a starting point. Many folks a lot smarter and better equipped than I will take this concept and flesh it out, invite/name the initial participants, and move it forward if they deem it of merit. So, please just chill, accept my qualified proposal and consider it within YOUR parameters. LET’S DAYDREAM A BIT…
AN ASPEN INSTITUTE/CHAUTAUQUA ON STEROIDS
Power: Leadership, Community, Philanthropy
Who Would Be The Convenors? With enough stature to attract key leaders?
The President/First Lady + Bill/Melinda Gates + Barack/Michelle Obama
Invitees would be key influence leaders in major areas of National life. For instance:
Arts and Entertainment…Ellen, Oprah, Tyler Perry, Trevor Noah, J-Lo, Brene Brown, Robert Rodriguez, Mari Carmen Ramirez, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Roy Spence, Wynton Marsalis, Eva Longoria, Viola Davis, LeBron James, Jordan Peele…
Business/Corporate…Banking, Major Corporate Leaders, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, et.al…
Philanthropy…Bezos, Gates, Dells, Koch family, Bloomberg, Darren Walker, Walton family, Buffett, et. al…
Energy…Key leaders in all energy components…
Infrastructure…Architecture, Construction, Engineering, etc…
Interfaith Clergy…Cardinal Dolan, Rev. T.D. Jakes, Rick Warren, Rabbi Andrea Weiss, Dr. Simran Singh, Bishop Mark Seitz, Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, et.al…
Medicine…Fauci, Gupta, et.al
Political…Leadership of both political parties…
Media…David Brooks, Andrea Mitchell, Rachel Maddow, Chris Wallace, Yamiche Alcindor, Ariana Huffington, Evan Smith, NYT/WAPO,WSJ, Networks, et.al…
Military…Top Brass plus Academies
Academics…Selected College/University Systems, Major Public/Private School Leaders
Government…Non-partisan balance of LEADERS…All living Presidents/Spouses, John Kasich, Mitt Romney, Michael Steele, Nancy Pelosi, Mayor Pete, Andrew Yang, AOC, Andrew Cuomo, Katie Porter, Gavin Newsom, Jack Martin, Sonia Sotamayor, Julian Castro, Stacy Abrams, Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Tarana Burke, et.al…
LOGISTICS
Who would underwrite it? Bezos, Gates, Buffett, Bloomberg plus Foundations??
When might it be held? Fall 2021…Spring 2022??
The importance of great facilitators/moderators. Would recruit the best from such as Aspen Institute, Chautauquas, Texas Tribune Tribfest, major media to manage egos and themes.
NOTE: Leaders from any of these interest groups would be encouraged to convene subsets within their influence to pursue focused or collaborative gatherings.
The “What If” Questions…
Each invitee would be prepped in advance with some “What If” questions…For Example:
Q. How do we promote civility, kindness, generosity, inclusion and mutual respect?
Q. How is government working well to serve you? How is it failing you? At what levels (local, State, National)? What could you or your organization do to improve this situation?
Q. How well is your industry doing in meeting the needs of its constituents? What could/should you do to initiate constructive change? How would these changes benefit the broader community?
Q. What collaborative partnerships could you pursue that might lead to mutual benefits for all concerned?
Q. How might you incorporate creative philanthropy in the goals and objectives of your organization?
Q. Would you support some form of Universal Service?
Q. Is your industry/organization considering a boost in intern/job training opportunities?
Q. With unlimited resources, what would be your personal Legacy Project?
IN CLOSING
As I mentioned, I claim limited expertise but unlimited conscience in my concern for this Country and its leadership deficit. I believe beyond a doubt that there are many leadership prospects. Some veterans who are hiding out, and many emerging leaders who just need a calling and some mentors. My call for a broad-based, multi-faceted reset is my conviction that our challenge is far too great to leave the solutions to the politicos. We know where that’s led us.
No, if we trumpet “We’re all in this TOGETHER,” then we’ve got to act TOGETHER. Reaching hands and hearts out of our comfort zones, summoning up our best creative thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and community building/rebuilding impulses. Don’t waste your time and energy second-guessing anything I’ve posed. Use that energy to consider how you’d do this better/differently and move it forward.
I’m not blindly sending this into the social media wind. I’m also posing this concept to seasoned leaders who have the ability to act on these suggestions or draft better ones. Let’s each consider how we can raise our citizenship game to be constructive role models for solutions, rather than sideline critics. Our Country needs us. Let’s rise to our occasion. TOGETHER!
