Blog Archive
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
Jay Rifenbary's Blog
A Father's Day Responsibility
Sitting on a flight to Vancouver,
BC to share my No Excuse! message with an organization, it just occurred to me
that it is the 43rd anniversary of my father’s death from a heart
attack, June 7, 1968 at the age of 49. I was eleven years old at the time and I
can still vividly remember the day, and the days following his passing. Sitting
in my sixth grade class hearing a siren from an ambulance and having an
intuitive sense that my father was in it, and he was. Being met at the bus
stop, my uncle telling me the news, and staring at him in incredulity. Seeing the sorrow in the familiar faces
of those around me. My mother’s shock, my sister’s tears and my uncle’s effort
to keep some semblance of order in the midst of emotional chaos. Relatives I
had not seen in years and friends with their outpouring of sympathy just
manifested the impact of the event. Seemingly numb at the funeral, and finally
crying as the casket was being lowered into the ground I knew there would be
difficult days ahead. My wondering what tomorrow may bring without a paternal
influence. How will I know how to be a good father, a loving husband, and a man
of character myself? Who will teach and mentor me? How will I have the courage
to be emotionally intimate again with those I love when it hurt so much to lose
the father I loved? Why did this have to happen and what do I do from here?
Questions that could easily become excuses, and excuses that could have ruined
my life. Instead the questions became a subconscious motivation to find the answers,
and eventually gain a thorough understanding that excuses are the antithesis of
personal accountability. That may appear to be common knowledge and it should
be, but how many put into practice that understanding? Understanding and
projecting a belief is easy; implementing that belief is the ultimate test of
individual character. I believe
what happens to you happens for you, and it is an outlook on life that has
served me well over the years. Those questions directed me to the path I am on,
for you teach best in life what you want to learn the most. My journey of
growing as a man continues and with it comes a responsibility to those around
me, especially those I love.
Fathers of good character are needed now more than
ever. Our children deserve strong male role models not simply based on muscle,
brawn and title, but strength of character and demonstrated positive core
values. Over the many years I have been far from perfect in my fathering
skills, but I am still a Dad and I continue to strive to be a better one every
day. Your children will not care about what you had only who you were and the
example you set. My children have loved me unconditionally through the many ups
and downs of my own journey and I will be forever grateful for their love,
empathy and support. It is fascinating to reflect on how many times our own
children teach us how to be better parents.
Father’s Day is not only a day to remember and appreciate the fathers in our lives, but should be a day for each father to reflect on the example they set each day. It should be an example of care, love, strength, and mentorship to name a few? What does it mean to be a dad? From my own perspective, I believe a father’s emotional presence for their children is as important as their physical presence. Asking questions is more effective than always dictating. Reflect and listen before reacting. Be an example of action not just words, and a teacher not just a protector. Understand anger destroys communication and emotional patience is key to creating harmony. Accept the uniqueness in our children rather than always expecting them to be like you. This demonstrates respect for who they are and will generate an emotional bond that will last forever. As Abraham Lincoln stated, “I don’t know who my grandfather was; I am much more concerned to know what his grandson will be.” Happy Father’s Day!
Manipulation and Exaggeration - Partners in Deceit
The challenges of
leadership can be many including dealing with change, motivating those you
lead, attaining desired objectives, creating a culture of fairness, being
fiscally prudent, and maintaining a workable foundation of organizational core
values, to name a few. Two primary elements for achievement in any leadership
endeavor are effective communication and honesty. As a lack of personal
accountability continues to fester in our society, the use of manipulation and
exaggeration only increases. As a result, these destructive behaviors undermine
the need for accountability, honesty and diminish communication. Why? They
facilitate excuses. Any of these sound familiar? “If only you were in charge I would have gotten that done.”
“If they had let me do it my way.” “You should be in my corner on this one, I
can help you advance.” “You are not going to believe what really happened.”
“It’s all politics.” “There is no way this will work.” “She made me do it.“ “If
we can only get rid of him.” “It’s always the HR Department’s fault.” “Don’t tell
them, they’ll never know.”
This creates a practice of deception and therefore
destroys the element of trust in any organization, family or relationship.
Individuals do not communicate freely in environments where trust is
questionable. Manipulation is defined as, “control or influence (a person or
situation) cleverly, unfairly, or unscrupulously”, “alter (data) or present
(statistics) so as to mislead.” The primary synonym for mislead is deceive, and
deceive is defined as, “cause (someone) to believe something that is not true,
typically in order to gain some personal advantage.” Manipulation is tangent to
the truth. An individual who manipulates demonstrates a lack of personal
accountability, integrity and is dishonest. It also creates a high level of misunderstanding
and confusion since any manipulation thwarts an accurate flow of information.
This hinders efficiency and productivity in the workplace, and harmony in any
family.
In regard to leadership,
manipulation creates dissension among those being led, because it distorts the
truth. When an issue or situation is manipulated by a few, disagreement and
conflict ensue. Some utilize
manipulation to accelerate self-driven agendas. If twisting the truth can assist
in enhancing their own ego, and sense of accomplishment, manipulation is the
key to that end. The long-term end is self-destructive because the laws of
nature have a way of coming full circle in regard to unethical behavior. If you
are harmful, harm will be returned to you, one way or another.
Exaggeration is
defined as, “represent (something)
as being larger, greater, better or worse than it really is.” Like
manipulation, exaggeration also creates a misalignment with what is actually
the truth. In many instances it is used as an attempt to rationalize ones
behavior, or position, on an issue. It can also be used to create unhealthy
emotion by exacerbating a situation, i.e. making a mountain out of a molehill.
Of course exaggeration can be humorous at times and is wonderful for effective
story telling, but it is debilitating for an accurate assessment of the truth.
Individuals of weak character use both manipulation and harmful exaggeration as
an off ramp from having to take ownership for what they may have said or done.
Also, do not confuse enthusiasm with exaggeration. One is usually honest
excitement and the other is dishonest projection. I have never witnessed a
situation where the use of manipulation and/or exaggeration has enhanced the
success of a task, project or relationship. They are always deceptive in nature.
As Abraham Lincoln quoted, “You may fool all the people some of the time; you can even fool some of the people all of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.” May we all make a concerted effort to never deceive and always be truthful, genuine and candid in our communication with others. As parents, it is imperative we educate our children in the destructive powers of manipulation and exaggeration. When practiced, these behaviors corrupt the truth and therefore deteriorate an individual’s self-respect, integrity and the development of a meaningful character. If at the end of each day you can say “yes” to having been truthful and accurate in communicating with others, then you will be a person of character and personal accountability. Enjoy the energy and freedom from having a clear conscience. It is truly a beautiful thing, and I am not exaggerating.
 |
 |
 |
|
