Joe Gerstandt | keynote speaker, freedom fighter, freak-flag flier

This is how we create next generation culture in our organization or in our community…

One action at a time.

One relationship at a time.

One conversation at a time.

One word at a time.

The single most important thing that we can do to bring about real change is to consistently act in accordance with our ideals.  This is authenticity.  This is courage.  This is leadership.

Vision, technology, charisma, titles, sweeping change initiatives, best practices, data, knowledge, strategy and fancy metrics are all horribly, horribly overrated.  These things are simply tools and tools can be used in a lot of different ways.  A hammer can be used to inflict great physical violence on another human being and it can also be used to build a home, a school, a house of worship.

Tools are secondary to the way in which they are used.

If we want our organization or community to be more inclusive, then we should be more inclusive.  We all have room for improvement.  If we want our organization or community to be more authentic, then we should be more authentic.  If we want our organization or community to be more collaborative, then we should be more collaborative.

Sometimes this seems really small.

It is not.

It is not small at all.  Our behaviors can greatly influence the behavior of those around us.  They can provide us with evidence of our own integrity.  They can provide the foundation up on which we can wield bigger more far reaching tools in the right ways.  They help us build our courage.

Taking the next right action (however small it might be) is characteristic of warriorship.

These actions matter greatly.

Whatever you see as lacking or missing or less than functional in your organization or community…there is an opportunity for you…an opportunity for you to be courageous and take responsibility for your contribution to things that are beyond your control, like relationships and culture and institutional outcomes.

Be good to each other.