Listening Leaders Archived Edition

November 15, 2006

LISTENING LEADERS THINK TRULY THANKFUL THOUGHTS

Listening Leaders® trigger thoughtful thanks through thinking.

When Americans gather for another caloric filled day called Thanksgiving, thoughtful Listening Leaders® who are truly thankful will pause and think about their multitude of present day blessings. In the process, truly thoughtful Listening Leaders® will think about our forefathers who paved the way for every day to be a day of thoughtful Thanksgiving. Listening with a thinking and thankful heart to voices of the past and present reminds one of the numerous things we have to be thankful for.

As every schoolchild is taught, the initial seed for our day of special Thanksgiving was planted in the United States by the Pilgrims who survived the terrible winter of 1620. Led by Governor William Bradford, the first Thanksgiving lasted three days. Three years later, history suggests it took a long and steady rain during a severe drought in 1623 for Governor Bradford to proclaim another day of Thanksgiving.

Fifty-three years later, the governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts proclaimed June 29, 1676 to be a day of Thanksgiving. When the 13 Colonies celebrated their victory over the British at Saratoga in 1777, they called for a special day of collective Thanksgiving. Although George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789, many were opposed to the idea of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

That opposition was overcome by the relentless actions of Sarah Josepha Hale. Although Sarah Josepha Hale’s name is probably not familiar to the millions of people who sing “Mary had a Little Lamb,” or most Americans who sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, she deserves our “Thanks!” For Sarah Josepha Hale not only wrote the words to the nursery rhyme, she spent 40 years writing to congressmen, lobbying five presidents, and writing countless editorials in her ongoing campaign to create an official day of thanks. With the 40-year editorial efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, Thanksgiving became an official National Holiday in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as our national day of Thanksgiving. Although the date has been changed a few times, Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress in 1941, to be a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

In considering the opportunity to be truly thankful, Listening Leaders® follow the suggested path of Pastor Robert H. Schuller who believes “Everyone profits when we make every day a day of ‘Thanks-living’.” Or as we suggest, “Profit lies in making every day a day of ‘Thanks-listening’.” For in response to the Polish born British novelist, Joseph Conrad’s comment, “Give me the right word and the right accent and I will move the world,” the answer is simple: The word is Thanks!

To that end, Listening Leaders® invest significant energy and thought into the importance of being thankful. In the process of focused thought, they heighten the value of identifying the positive actions of triggering thankful thoughts.

Second, Listening Leaders® constantly recognize they stand on the shoulders of giants and have much to be thankful for. Focus is placed on identifying specific individuals and positive experiences deserving of meaningful thanks.

Third, Listening Leaders® take meaningful action to express their thoughtful thanks in a variety of ways. Unfortunately, heartfelt thanks that are silently held are never heard, understood, or appreciated. Thoughtful and thankful listeners invest their energy and time to let others understand for what and whom they are truly and thoughtfully thankful.

Thinking is the starting point, and expression is the ending point.

What and whom are you truly thankful for? Why? Does anyone else know?

Thinking Listening Leaders® make every day a day of Thanksgiving.

LISTENING LEADER KNOWLEDGE NUGGET: Thinking Listening Leaders® Make Everyday a Day of Thanksgiving and Thanks-listening.

We are thankful for the opportunity to live and listen in a country where the overwhelming majority of our fellow citizens value the extraordinary opportunities and responsibilities of free citizens everywhere.

We are thankful for the opportunity to enjoy the unfettered benefits of freedom of religion, voice, and vote. We are thankful for the opportunities of education and work. We are thankful for the riches of our farmers who till our productive land and the helping hands for those in need. We are thankful for the output of our free enterprise system. We are thankful for our technological advances and our healthcare system that has extended the longevity and quality of life everywhere. We are thankful for good health. We are thankful for Mothers and Fathers and Grandparents who are committed to guiding the next generation into a better world. We are thankful for our past and present men and women in uniform who place themselves in harms way to assure the safety and freedoms of all citizens of this great country. We are thankful for leaders who listen with skill and competence to the clamor of the multitude of constituents who want to be heard and represented fairly and justly. We are thankful for the opportunity to “Advance Listening Leadership Worldwide.” We are thankful for you.

Most importantly, we value everyone who listens with a thoughtful ear and displays a thankful heart.

Finally we are thankful for the special Proclamations of Thanksgiving of every President since George Washington’s words of 1789. Although lengthy, we invite your investment of a few moments with the thoughts of Thanksgiving of three Presidents that seem to capture the events and views over the last 215 years.

In 1789 President George Washington proclaimed:

“Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor--and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me `to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.’

Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions--to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.”

In1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed:

”The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Almighty God. In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence [sic], have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battlefield; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years, with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy.

It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American people. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”

In 2005 President George W. Bush proclaimed:

“Thanksgiving Day is a time to remember our many blessings and to celebrate the opportunities that freedom affords. Explorers and settlers arriving in this land often gave thanks for the extraordinary plenty they found. And today, we remain grateful to live in a country of liberty and abundance. We give thanks for the love of family and friends, and we ask God to continue to watch over America.

This Thanksgiving, we pray and express thanks for the men and women who work to keep America safe and secure. Members of our Armed Forces, State and local law enforcement, and first responders embody our Nation's highest ideals of courage and devotion to duty. Our country is grateful for their service and for the support and sacrifice of their families. We ask God's special blessings on those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty.

We also remember those affected by the destruction of natural disasters. Their tremendous determination to recover their lives exemplifies the American spirit, and we are grateful for those across our Nation who answered the cries of their neighbors in need and provided them with food, shelter, and a helping hand. We ask for continued strength and perseverance as we work to rebuild these communities and return hope to our citizens.

We give thanks to live in a country where freedom reigns, justice prevails, and hope prospers. We recognize that America is a better place when we answer the universal call to love a neighbor and help those in need. May God bless and guide the United States of America as we move forward. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to reinforce the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.”

If you were asked to compose a “2006 Thanksgiving Proclamation,” what would you write?

LISTENING LEADER TIP OF THE WEEK: Be thankful and share your blessings.

GOLDEN CIRCLE LISTENING LEADERS QUOTES OF THE WEEK:

Thanksgiving begins in the heart, not at the table ~ William C. Howard
Mirrors should think longer before they reflect ~ Jean Cocteau
Cogito, ergo, sum / I think, therefore I am ~ René Descartes
A man seldom thinks with more earnestness of anything than he does of his dinner ~ Samuel Johnson
I believe the best definition of man is the ungrateful biped ~ F‘dor Dostoevsky
Profundity of thought belongs to youth, clarity of thought to old age ~ Nietzsche

A LISTENING LEADER GIGGLE:

Thankful for the opportunity to enjoy Thanksgiving at his daughter’s home, a man asked, “What are we having for Thanksgiving dinner this year?”

Without losing a beat, his daughter smiled and said, “We are having the same thing this year as we had last year ─ too many Relatives!”

Such wit must run in the family, for last year when an Aunt asked one of the young nephews “Would you like any stuffing?” the daughter’s young son, with little gratitude, quickly responded. “Nope. I don’t eat it and I don’t know why the turkey eats it either.”

Perhaps the daughter should think about inviting one less thankless relative this year.

Bon Appetite!

LISTENING LEADERS KUDOS

Congratulations to Author and Executive Coach Peter deLisser who uses the power of listening in his work with all of his executive clients. Peter’s book, “Be Your Own Executive Coach”, is a must read for leaders who want to take charge of their professional and personal lives.

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LISTENING LEADERS: THE TEN GOLDEN RULES
TO LISTEN, LEAD & SUCCEED

By Dr. Lyman K. Steil
& Dr. Richard K. Bommelje

Publisher: Beaver’s Pond Press
(ISBN 1-59298-073-2)

A pioneering book that directly connects listening with leadership.Based on more than 50 collective years of work with listening leaders throughout the world, Dr. Steil and Dr. Bommelje have created 10 practical, proven, and priceless rules to enhance everyone's listening and leadership success. Although outstanding leaders are outstanding listeners, most leaders have neglected the development of their listening attitudes, skills and knowledge.

“This is the most significant book ever written on listening and leadership and will profit leaders at all levels in all types of organizations and enterprises.” Dr. Ralph Nichols, Father of the Field of Listening

ORDER YOUR COPY at www.ListeningLeaders.com or www.amazon.com

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Dr. Lyman K. (Manny) Steil
25 Robb Farm Road
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651-483-3597
LKS@ListeningLeaders.com Dr. Richard K. (Rick) Bommelje
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407-679-7280
RKB@ListeningLeaders.com

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