Radical Regenerative Leadership

Source: Radical Transformational Leadership by Monica Sharma

Comparing New Learning Reality to (Domination Culture) Fallacy

	New Learning Reality	Fallacy
Inequality	Inequalities can be, and have been, reduced quickly through appropriate policy measures.	Inequalities are inevitable, and have always been there.
Identity	The emerging heroes can, and are, stopping the cycle of hatred and violence.	I am dishonorable and a coward if I do not fight or kill for the “honor” of my family and social identity.
Identity	Knowing who I am and sourcing my inner capacities is a time-saver and energizer at work, in my community engagements, and in my family interactions. I can do more, and I am more aligned and attuned within myself and resonant with others.	During my work, in community engagements and in my family, I do not have the time or energy to focus on my inner self.
Identity	Where I am born is a matter of chance, not choice, determining the language I speak, the religion I follow, the name of the country on my passport. As I embrace my social profile—nationality, race, religion, gender, class, tribe, language—I do so transcending all divisive perspectives and actions, embracing diversity, authentically accepting others in an inclusive way. Our most powerful identity for a paradigm shift lies in our unique inner capacities, our essential oneness.	I am who I am because of my family, my religion, my nationality, my race, my tribe, my caste—this is what defines me, this is my identity.
Complexity	Demystifying complex issues leads to change in policies through citizens’ perspectives and demand.	Citizens cannot work on complex issues—we cannot understand all the complexities related to finance and our economies, and we have no power.
Agency	The thought of shifting systems and creating new patterns and norms is complicated—I am, and we are, overwhelmed.	Everyone can create new patterns and shift systems and cultural norms when they choose to do so.
Emergence	When I give myself permission to source my universal values and oneness for action and results, I will manifest my greatness and contribute in unpredictable ways, and I am the unfolding new reality and emergence in this world.	Emergence is a conceptual phenomenon that scientists and thinkers study and talk about, often chaotic and nothing to do with me or my everyday reality.
Action	Personal transformation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for social or planetary transformation. When I simultaneously ache to see tangible results and act to manifest my greatness, I will generate social and planetary transformation.	If I embark on a journey of personal transformation, I will automatically generate social and planetary transformation.
Action	As human beings, we have an innate ability to commit to action when we get out of our own way. Committing to action is what makes ordinary people do extraordinary things.	Committing to action is not for everyone—extraordinary people and certain personality types are more likely to do so. I am just an ordinary person. Circumstances largely determine what happens.
Action	My inner capacity or wisdom leads me to compassionate action in the world, giving me inner guidance, insight, and light that clarifies universal, life-giving principles. My wisdom and inner capacity resolve and release fear, anger, separation, and anxiety. I know what I care for deeply, and I am anchored in my universal values in a way that sets me free. I engage in compassionate action in the world.	There are many problems in the world—I have to concentrate on finding the solutions. I do not have the time to focus on my inner capacities and wisdom.
Capacity	All human beings have the innate capacity to be empathic and compassionate. Nurturing environments in childhood stimulate this potential. Adults who have had difficult childhoods can choose to access our humanity with appropriate support and can also act to support others.	A few extraordinary, saintly people can care for others and humanity.
Humanity	Human beings inherently care about others; compassion is an integral component of our social intelligence that has enabled us to survive for thousands of years.	Human beings are driven primarily by self-interest.
Learning	We now know that decisions are informed by our learned perspectives and ideological biases, not primarily by knowledge and information presented to us. We have a choice to “see” what is invisible in different ways based on universal values—dignity, equity, compassion.	To understand the complex challenges we face, I must equip myself with structured ideological perspectives, current research, and knowledge. Only then will I see what is going on and decide what to do.
Awareness	The space of oneness and inner potential exists in all human beings and can be accessed by anyone who chooses to do so, even if their actions are inhuman and unacceptable. And by accessing this inner capacity, we transform our actions and reality.	Some of us are good people who have positive inner capacities, and there are bad people who are born with negative inner capacities.
Time	Knowing who I am and sourcing my inner capacities is a time-saver and energizer at work, in my community engagements, and in my family interactions. I can do more, and I am more aligned and attuned within myself and resonant with others.	During my work, in community engagements and in my family, I do not have the time or energy to focus on my inner self.
Children	Children and youth from every culture connect powerfully to their inner capacities and their dreams, irrespective of where they are born or where they live.	Children and youth cannot engage in “complex” themes such as discovering what they stand for or connect their values to action they will take—especially children from families facing disadvantageous situations.
Fear	All of us have fears as a consequence of our socialization process. Becoming aware of them allows us to have more options to make decisions and choices.	Fear is a sign of weakness, and those who are weak have fears. If I am brave, I have no fears.
Courage	Courage is our will rising through our wide-open heart and being in compassionate action. Courage is not about being forced into action through coercion. Courage is not about bravado or macho behaviors or performing dangerous actions.	There is nothing I can do about my fears, and I should not expect myself to be courageous. In fact, it may be harmful and/or distressful if I expect myself or others to be courageous and act.
Profession	The way we express our professional talents and abilities, as well as the skills we have for managing, creating, and manifesting professionally, contribute to success, prosperity, and service in the world as we transcend our social biases and source our inner capacities and wisdom for action.	What I can solve in the world is based on my profession and expertise. That is all that matters to produce changes needed in my workplace and the world.
Personality	All personality types are adequate—none is better than any other. My personality is my style of expression. I contribute in a unique way based on my personality type when I source my inner capacities and wisdom for action, accept diversity and embrace others, and use my professional abilities skillfully.	There are some personality types that are very good, and if I had that personality type, I would be more successful.
Heart	My courageous, wide-open heart is a space of endless possibilities. It is nondual space where I am spacious awareness, in unison with my mind, emotions, and body; I am moved to compassionate action in the dual worl	Human beings often react to other people’s suffering because they have “bleeding hearts” and are not being rational; they are being emotional!
Stillness	Listening from our deepest source allows creativity to unfold, informs our thinking, and opens up numerous possibilities for measurable transformation.”	This touchy-feely way of listening with a still mind and compassionate heart is not practical, denies what is rational, and does not produce change.
Groups	When we are able to stand in our oneness and are willing to alter our ideological thinking, we can transcend differences and create a new synthesis resulting in a paradigm shift.	Every group puts together frameworks to understand how things work and which ideological perspective is the best. This leads to disagreements and polarization—unfortunately, nothing can be done!
Change	For paradigm shifts and creating a new future, we need to engage to accomplish goals in a manner that changes the norms and systems that gave rise to the problems we are trying to solve; this is simultaneously based on our oneness, our humanity, and our universal values.	We need to show results—we need to achieve our stated goals at any cost.
Ethics	Human rights and ethics are primarily about embodying the values underpinning these instruments by all, leading to the highest quality of life for humanity, where we all live with dignity, thrive without discrimination, and are whole with integrity.	These human rights instruments and conversations on ethics are about pointing fingers and making others wrong. Let’s focus on getting the job done!
Diligence	It is not about slowing down. It is learning to be still in the moment, BEING still; and in that stillness, there is profuse and profound energy.	Working hard and fast is bad for health. It is obsessive! We must slow down to be effective.
Duty	Personal transformation is a necessary but not sufficient condition for social transformation. We need to have the courage to design and implement the appropriate architecture for systems and culture to result in a thriving humanity and planet.	If everyone works on their personal transformation, everything else will fall into place, and the current problems in the world will be resolved.
Confusion	Confusion simply means I am unlearning and relearning, so my mind cannot figure it out with my old frameworks and methods. I embrace confusion and am patient, knowing that when I stand in my universal values and commit to equitable and sustainable results, I will learn to design differently to make a difference. I am comfortable and able to “hold questions or ask new questions, even if I don’t have the answer” as an essential part of progress.	It is important to have certainty if I want to be effective. Confusion is a sign that I am ignorant; I must show my colleagues that I know and that I am right.
Discernment	When formal leadership chooses to establish a work culture that sources people’s inner capacities for creativity and work processes and connects them to the bigger picture, every organization can have a thriving work culture with systems, norms, and structures based on authentic information and universal values. This is both profitable for the organization and wholesome for employees.	In any organization, systems, norms, and structures need to be designed primarily to increase performance. Employees need to be motivated to complete tasks toward that end. They do not need to think about the bigger and deeper questions. This leads to chaos, and it is not practical or profitable to do so.
Game changing	Game-changing solutions and perspectives based on universal values manifest in every situation: from the interpretations parents and family members give to their children to the way a consultant, worker, community member, or policy-maker sees and responds in their work or life.	I feel powerless to shift norms, systems, and structures—I am just a worker, or just a housewife.
Technology	The complex problems of today are the result of multiple interdependent causes. As we invest in technologies to solve problems, we must simultaneously address the cultural norms and systems that maintain the conditions giving rise to these problems. To address the root factors of these problems, the universal values unpinning our humanity need to be the foundation of our dynamic and impactful engagement	If we can identify the problem and its causes, and we have the right technologies, we will be able to solve the problem. We are not solving the problems because we are not investing enough time and money in technical solutions.
Technology	There are simple and powerful ways to create spaces for dynamic integration of new technological solutions through transformative planning and implementation processes. Goals, outcomes, and impacts provide direction. In the midst of rapid change and seemingly overwhelming external conditions, the universal values of equity, dignity, and compassion are the only constant stabilizers of our endeavors.	Today’s advances in science and technology are so rapid and specific that we will inevitably create silos when we use new technologies for our well-being. There are no simple ways to address this.
Technology	When we anchor our logical thinking, strategies, and action in the universal values of dignity and equity, we are open to seeing interdependent factors and can address complex problems in order to generate transformational results; and we can integrate rapid scientific and technological advances.	Advances in technology require us to have step-by-step logical analytic and planning tools to ensure that we do not miss details to address problems and produce results in complex situations.
Big picture	Using a conscious full-spectrum approach, moving beyond partial responses, is actually a time-saver. We now have new praxes to source our inner capacities for action, principled game-changing approaches, and technical innovations that generate results simultaneously in time and at an accelerated pace.	It takes too much time for people to work on their personal transformation and also design and implement policies and programs based on universal values. It is faster to focus on a few strategies.
Complexity	All concerned citizens can actively participate and plan for their future. They are capable of seeing the big picture and know what patterns need to change in cultural and formal systems in order to solve problems. Everyone has inner capacities that they can get in touch with and source for action.	The issues are complex. As ordinary workers and citizens, we cannot plan what we need for our future and the future of our children. The methods are too complicated. Only “highly educated” people with formal degrees can do this.
Complexity	Demystifying complex issues leads to change in policies through citizens’ perspectives and demand.	Citizens cannot work on complex issues—we cannot understand all the complexities related to finance and our economies, and we have no power.
Complexity	Everyone can create new patterns and shift systems and cultural norms when they choose to do so. Our response can be simple, though not simplistic, and impactful! Sourcing inner capacities—learning and using coherent transformative design and operating principles, tools, and praxes—is the way.	The thought of shifting systems and creating new patterns and norms is complicated—I am, and we are, overwhelmed.
Young people	Young people, like adults, can get in touch with their inner capacities if they are provided opportunities to do so; and like adults, they have the choice to manifest their inner greatness through action.	Young people do not have the experience needed to make a difference, even if they care. Planning and strategy require “maturity,” and adults need to take the lead.
Practice	Transformational leadership programs are necessary. Even more important is each person’s praxis, based on universal values, continuous engagement in strategic action, and working in synergy with other essential components for transformation—information for decision-making, effective policy and media environments, and support for principled risk-takers.	Leadership programs are the key to change. As long as the tools in the workshops are powerful, the strategies and actions will follow and change will occur.
Information	Citizens, academics, and businessmen who rise above their narrow personal interests use data skillfully to shift disempowering cultural norms and systems, generating results for equitable and sustainable change. Further, sharing information enhances creativity, increases knowledge, and contributes to progress.	Information is needed primarily for policy-makers and executives. Citizens are likely to misinterpret data and information because they do not have the full picture, and they may cause unnecessary conflicts. Further, if information is shared, our competitive edge will be lost in our field, and we will not be successful.
Integrity	Integrity is based on our inherent evolutionary call to be whole. When we take a stand because of who we are, new solutions and pathways open up aligned with our universal values. As we practice, we cultivate this aspect of ourselves, and we are able to unleash our full potential as we respond.	Integrity is for idealists. We must be practical and do what needs to be done; we have no choice because the systems are so big and society’s pressures are so formidable. Therefore, we have to compromise on universal values if we want to produce results.
Integrity	Human beings have an innate “equity impulse,” and we are wired to connect. We are endowed with both compassion and courage, which we can discover, cultivate, and celebrate. When we are called to action from our universal heart of compassion, we act from a space of inner peace and principled outrage (not destructive anger). It is being ethical, not being emotional, although it may appear otherwise to others!	There are people who object to unethical practices. It is human nature to think about self-interest, and sometimes there are excesses—this is part of life, and it has always been this way. There are others who challenge the disempowering norms and systems we have, and they sometimes fight for equity and sustainability. They are generally angry people with a chip on their shoulder. We should not be so emotional!
Integrity	Irrespective of my social status, my material resources, or my place in an organizational hierarchy, I am equal as a human BEING. When I am resilient and I do not diminish myself, I unfold my full potential. Others cannot diminish me, even if their intention is to do so.	In every culture and setting, we need to have ways of forcing “boundaries.” When people don’t listen to reason, the only way to manage them is through fear, or control through appropriate ridicule and insults. Only then will they comply, and this is normal in every culture. And since I am not an important person, I have to comply.
Efficiency	Creating a culture of responsibility based on universal values is a time-saver; it enhances productivity and efficiency, fosters creativity, and generates results. It transcends the industrial mindset of finishing more tasks in as short a time as possible (efficiency) and values enduring results, well-being, our earth, and thriving and prosperity for all!	We will not be efficient and our productivity will suffer if we base our strategies and actions on universal values in institutions. In addition, our economy will have setbacks—there is no time! We must enhance labor productivity!
Solidarity	Different cultural expressions celebrate diversity in various ways. “Culture” must not be the cover-up of disempowering, diminishing, and exploitative behaviors in different parts of the world. Human beings deep down are the same. We love, grieve, are wired to connect, need to belong and be embraced. In every culture worldwide we express compassion, fairness, dignity, empathy, and sympathy. Global programs based on universal values work as long as they are not prescriptive and do not impose our opinions on how things must be done. Instead global programs unfold inner capacities of people and uphold universal values through action, while celebrating different wholesome expressions.	Since every culture is so different, it is not possible to operate from universal values in global programs. We must respect differences and should not impose our values on others!
Universal	All countries need transformational templates in government, business, and civil society for designing and implementing equitable, sustainable change. The conventional planning methods used in all countries are based on linear, reductionist templates.	Government, business, and civil society in developing countries are poor, corrupt, and inefficient, with inadequate infrastructure and services—they need to use templates like the conscious full-spectrum response (CFSR), synergistic operational strategies (SOS) and transformational results chain (TRC). In developed countries like the United States, Japan, and countries in Europe, we have the technology and know what to do, so we do not need these templates.
Wisdom	In addition to knowledge and resources, leading from our inner capacities, our wisdom, taps into the power to deliver sustainable results. It requires that we operate from universal values such as dignity, equity, compassion. Our inner capacity, our wisdom, is fundamentally about who we are at our core, beyond title, social identity, personal passion, skill set, or curriculum vitae.	Leaders who have the knowledge to get the job done—necessary resources, the right connections—are the ones who are most likely to succeed and achieve goals.
Climate change	The mindset that commodifies other human beings and treats them as utility objects also commodifies our earth and her resources. Our oneness includes human beings, all sentient beings (animals and plants), and the earth. Incremental changes such as adaptation and carbon trading do not address the current magnitude of the crisis we face; they create a false sense of being in action that leads to complacency. At best, they are strategies for surviving, not thriving.	Climate change and environmental issues can be addressed adequately through strategies such as carbon trading, adaptation, and mitigation. We need to be practical and make incremental changes. The same applies to complex issues like peace—we need to be practical. Strategies based on universal values are primarily meant for addressing social issues.
Climate change	Investments in climate action are economically sound at global, national, and local levels.	Investing in climate action is a drain on the economy.
Climate change	The manner in which scientists demystify knowledge, inspire wonder and discovery, connect human beings to their own interdependence with all life, and generate reverence and respect for all forms of nature determines action for a thriving people and planet.	We need to inform people about what is happening to our environment and the science behind it. Then it is up to them to find out more information and take action.
Inequity	Disparity leads to conflict and violence.	Poverty breeds violence.
Diversity	Diversity is a space of celebration and inclusion. As human beings, we have much more in common than we have differences—we all experience love, compassion, sorrow, joy, grief, and the need to belong, to dance and sing, to revere nature and life. We are interdependent.	We are one big family—our different castes, tribes, religious sects, and races. These ways of organizing ourselves have worked for thousands of years, continue to work now, and will work into the future. The problem is that we are not abiding by these cultural divisions that serve us, each in their rightful place.
Listening	Listening deeply creates new openings for action. Everyone can make a difference. It is not about expertise or opinions. Listening deeply helps unfold the full potential of another human BEING.	There is no point in listening carefully to everyone; we need to be practical and listen to the opinions of those who have knowledge and expertise or those who have influence and are in power.
Integrity	People care deeply about their own happiness and the happiness of their loved ones. People care about others too. They care about the opportunity to work and contribute to others’ quality of life and well-being. Speaking responsibly about our universal values inspires people to engage in creating new futures.	We need to speak to what the audience will understand and respond to. We must be practical and do what is needed. There is no point talking about lofty values—that is just philosophy. People want jobs so they can earn more money, buy new cars, homes, and gadgets, take care of their family, and move up the social ladder.
Agency	There are many opportunities for significant change in most organizations within the programs and departments we work in. As results ensue, they have a powerful influence on other programs and units, and new policies and projects are shaped. In fact, it is often easier to start change with high-performing individuals and teams and within efficient departments than in a large organization as a whole.	There is not much I can do to create the changes I think are necessary in an organization. I am not the CEO, so I do not have much say or influence. Besides, what’s the point of trying to generate change within a unit when the organization is so big!

Scale

Scale	Everyone can directly make a difference to scale action and results by designing and implementing CFS responses at home or at work or in communities. It is strategic to BE in action by sourcing universal values and shifting unworkable norms and systems.	I want to see a better world, but there is nothing much I can do, because the problems are so big. Small initiatives are like a drop in the ocean and will not make any difference. To make a difference, we need to work at scale, and I do not have the money nor the influence or connection to do so.
Scale	The key to interrupting entrenched isms is to source the universal values of dignity, equity, and compassion, transcending our ego and loosening the grip of our exclusionary social identities. The root factors of all isms are the same, though their expressions may be different.We need to act based on what we know—understand the systems, structures, dynamics, and history of the different disempowering isms in order to take appropriate measures—and these measures will change as contexts change. Understanding is a necessary but not sufficient condition to interrupt isms.	People—policy-makers and citizens alike—must understand all the systems, structures, dynamics, and history of the different disempowering isms because they are so different. We need a thorough understanding before taking action.
Leadership	Everyone can, and must, develop leadership and stewardship capacities, and apply them at home, in communities, and at work, in order to generate systems and cultural shifts for people and our planet to thrive.	Developing leadership competencies is very important for change, particularly for those who hold senior management and leadership positions in their organizations.
Science	Excellence in science (or any topic) is about mastery—building competence and unending, lifelong learning. Excellence is about learning and applying that knowledge intelligently for the progress of humanity. Discovering and sourcing what we stand for and our inner capacities generates the alchemy of transformation—the courage to shift the paradigm through creating new patterns sourced in universal values of dignity, equity, compassion.	Working with science and technology requires us to focus and precludes us from dwelling on “soft topics” like respect for all. Excellence is what we need, so we should work with those who are smart and can excel.
Media	Media professional need to report facts. The universal values of dignity, equity, and compassion are essential for every human being to manifest their full potential, including media professionals. What they see see influences how they choose to lead their lives and what they report, write, and document, which in turn shapes the mindsets of people and the trajectory of the future of humanity and our planet. Transformational stewardship development is of paramount importance for media professionals too. Responsible media and advertising is critical for a thriving humanity and planet.	Media professionals are trained and skilled. They should always write facts from a neutral point of view. And in the world of advertising, media professionals should be creative about promoting the products and services for which they have been hired, irrespective of the consequences on people or the planet. They have to write what their audience wants! Leadership development and universal values are irrelevant and have nothing to do with media professionals.
Artists	Artists are like all other human beings with the potential to discover and manifest our inner power and wisdom along with our gifts and talents. When artists journey through their own leadership and stewardship development based on universal values they stand for, they see new invisible patterns and they generate spectacular images, symbols, icons, and metaphors for an equitable and thriving humanity and planet.	Artists are creative and gifted people—and many of them have studied to develop their talents. We should not interfere with their creativity. They mirror what the culture is. Leadership and stewardship development has nothing to do with them.
Politicians	Politicians can be leaders and stewards who are pragmatic and responsible and operate from universal values to create a thriving future. They understand that the primary purpose of a political campaign, at its best, is to transform the political discourse for citizens to generate a prosperous, equitable, and enduring future and mature the democratic process.	Politicians have to do what is pragmatic. People are interested in their immediate needs being met—they are not interested is what is causing problems. They are too busy coping with their everyday lives. To win the votes, politicians have to “play to the gallery.
Constellations	When people embody and act from the universal values of dignity, fairness, and compassion, they engage in what they care deeply about, self-organize, self-correct, and operate as independent yet interdependent entities. Diversity and pluralism thrive for the enhancement and joy of all in society	If we encourage and establish independent/interdependent entities and allow people to self-organize, there will be chaos, and people will not know what to do. There will be no order; everything will be out of control. People always act out of self-interest, so it will be harmful for society.
Whole systems	The conscious full-spectrum response template provides a transdisciplinary framework for multiple disciplines to use their technical expertise to solve problems; synergize and contribute by shifting systems and norms together; and transcend differences by sourcing actions and strategies from universal values.	Each discipline, such as engineering, information technology, social sciences, and medicine, requires that we specialize and advance so that we can create more innovations. It is very difficult to work in a multidisciplinary way because our frameworks are so different.
Whole systems	When we articulate the systems and cultural shifts needed for problems to be solved in an equitable and sustainable way, and align our work toward accomplishing these shifts based on universal values, we are putting the pieces of the puzzle together for whole-systems transformation and results.	Whole-systems transformation is a complex process that experts and systems analysts have to work on.
Whole systems	Agreeing to common goals, outcomes, and impacts is necessary and aligns us around the “end point.” However, unless we shift the systems, structures, and cultural norms that give rise to problems, based on universal values, we will not achieve the goals in a sustainable manner, and we will not accomplish whole-systems transformation.	Once we agree and align with common goals, we will automatically transform the whole system and solve problems.