By Linda Fisher Thornton Building on last week’s post about Seeing the Facets of Facts, this week I’m digging into the dangers of “Partialized Facts.” When I say “Partialized Facts” I refer to treating one perspective on an issue (that is only part of the picture) as the whole truth. I have seen it happen so many times and it’s time to call it what it is – unethical.
Category: Purpose and Meaning
Seeing the Facets of Facts (Part 1)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Most of the time when we answer a question with a single response, that answer is only part of the picture. We have all seen leaders (who may feel a need to appear decisive) answer quickly without thinking through the implications of their response. When this happens, what they share is oversimplified and “partialized,” not a relevant or responsible interpretation of the complex issues involved.
Leaders: Check Your Motivation, Your Authenticity, And Your Ethics
By Linda Fisher Thornton If we are leading others, we need to be asking the questions of leadership – about our motivation, our authenticity and our ethics. Continually asking ourselves these questions keeps us sharp, focused and aware of our greater impact on others, organizations and society.
The Journey to Authentic Leadership
By Linda Fisher Thornton The journey to authentic leadership is not an easy one. It’s full of challenges, and it requires developing a high level of self- and other-awareness over time. “Knowledge experiences” alone won’t be enough to stimulate the kind of learning that is required on this important journey.
Help Young People Center Themselves in Values
By Linda Fisher Thornton make positive ethical choices and honor multiple dimensions of ethical responsibility.
On Patriotism, Nationalism, and Globalism
By Linda Fisher Thornton There has been a lot of recent discussion around nationalism. The term has been used in ways that seem to put it on par with patriotism. To understand how it’s different, I’ll take a look at nationalism, patriotism and globalism using an ethical lens. Without seeing them through an ethical lens, the differences are less clear. Using an ethical lens, we begin to see that what appear to be subtle variations are vast differences in intent and impact.
Insights for the Class of 2025
By Linda Fisher Thornton As you begin to build your image of your future plans, I have 5 pieces of advice to share that may be useful. I wish someone had shared these life insights with me when I was a new graduate beginning the next chapter of my life.
Our Human Journey
By Linda Fisher Thornton The human journey. We’re all taking it, but we don’t always know where it’s headed. We can’t always see where we’ve been until later, when we have the long-term perspective and can begin to make sense of the twists and turns we’ve taken throughout our lives.
Wishing You Joy
By Linda Fisher Thornton Joy is not something we simply hope for or wait for. It’s something we create through our everyday actions and relationships.
How To Tend the Human Soul
By Linda Fisher Thornton Since not everyone believes in the human soul, it's not typically going to appear on a list of "self care" items people tackle like exercise, sleep or diet. In this post, I will make the case for why it's important to tend the human soul, and how to do that. Start by watching this video of Jane Goodall as she talks about the soul.
What is the Connection Between Ethics and The Human Soul?
By Linda Fisher Thornton Since the human soul is hard to define, we lack a blueprint for how it connects to ethical choices and actions. If you like digging into topics that some people think are difficult to define, read on.
What is (and Isn’t) Leadership?
By Linda Fisher Thornton It occurred to me while pruning shrubs that we have many mistaken
Ethical Values Are Good For Business (Part 7)
By Linda Fisher Thornton We need to get leadership right because so much depends on it. Many global factors are driving changes in ethical leadership expectations, and in high-stakes times, how we handle ethical leadership development can make or break our success. This week I’ve created a graphic that brings the expectations and priorities into clearer focus.
Ethical Values Are Good For Business (Part 6)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical values can drive positive business results, but only if leaders continually learn and apply better leadership, and stretch to grow. With the bar for expected leadership set so high, it will be a continual career-long stretch for our leaders. But leaders shouldn't be scared off by this, because taking this journey also provides a deep sense of meaning, satisfaction and making a positive difference.
Ethical Values Are Good For Business (Part 5)
By Linda Fisher Thornton Ethical values are good for business, but only if you keep up as times change. Right now, expectations are high and Ibelieve that values-based leadership is gaining momentum. Recently I was asked to explain why I think so, and I thought I would share my answer in today’s blog post. Here are a number of trends that I see that are working together to fuel the movement toward leading with positive values.
Leading in Context 