Lonehill: Massive Opportunities A-Wasting?

Given the laughably pathetic threat of defamation aimed at self from our LRA leadership, it seems clear that they have no love for anyone who challenges their egos.

So, before I am forcibly, or by pure exasperation, assigned to the ranks of the local apathetic that the LRA leadership regularly criticise... let me call a spade a spade.

You see, in my 20th year in this community, I am of the opinion that the LRA has probably been the least effective innovator of progress in that time.

Clearly, before anyone gets me wrong, it APPEARS that our current community management is much better today than we experienced during the LRA management debacle of some two-odd years and more back - so I am thankful for that as already discussed in Lonehill: Give Credit Where Credit Is Due' .

And I am never one to criticise the neat little community things that those on the LRA believe that they should be focusing on... whatever rocks your socks, folks!

I am more concerned about the MASSIVE opportunities, community assets, resources and possibilities that, in my opinion, are a-wasting and therefore, I believe, negatively impacting materially upon our future potential and asset values as residents and community stakeholders.

I am also concerned for the current lack of OPENness, debate and transparency of the LRA management and leadership process.

I hanker for a return to the open attitude prevailing during the only time something really MASSIVE happened in this community - when WE resident stakeholders stood up as LSAG back in 2000 and did what the LRA would not do... and MADE something BIG happen!

Today's LRA and hopefully continuing solid financial footing is founded upon the results of THAT action.

We did it by inviting EVERYONE in our community to participate openly wherever they felt they had a role to play. No one was denied.

Anyone could sit in at any meeting - yes, even director's meetings - and comment or contribute, or just cast an interested eye over proceedings.

We conclusively demonstrated the benefits of INCLUSIVITY versus the stupidity of exclusivity.

Until... some ego's began to think that this was not the way that 'leaders' should operate... and that decisions affecting our community and their logic should start being taken behind closed doors by a select few.

This writer is absolutely convinced that it is his vocal opposition to such exclusive leadership style, much to the chagrin of local leadership who perpetuate it, both past and present, that makes him a tad unpopular with such individuals.. ;-)

Was just reading a book summary of 'Moose On The Table' where the subject of Courageous Leadership is discussed.

Particularly how 'silence kills organisations' and how 'when people fail to communicate, it leads to many problems such as':

1. Hiding/suppressing information
2. Minimizing or avoiding big problem issues
3. Helplessness, cynicism and apathy
4. Turf protection and silos or departmentalism
5. Team members dislike and avoid each other

Read the Chapter: Moose and Managers to view points 6 to 12.

Quote from the book: What keeps people from having courageous conversations? FEAR'.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

And because of almost a total lack of open insight into current LRA leadership logic, my own recent experience of dealing with this leadership team, and apparent examples of almost unilateral decision-making by a select few... I am of the opinion that the above 5 points closely describe our LRA organisation today... and I suspect that points 6 to 12 will mostly apply as well.

My view requires intelligence and lack of ego on the part of LRA leadership to understand the point that I am making. If YOU are wittingly or unwittingly perpetuating any or all of the above points... have the guts to look yourself in the mirror and bring about change in yourself... and to change the points above.

My view requires Courageous Leadership to understand that I don't care two hoots for over-inflated personal ego's being bruised... I'm talking about what kind of leadership will make our community truly great.

Lonehill requires Courageous Leadership from our LRA leaders.

You can erect the most magnificent mega-engineered kilometres-long structure to cross the Grand Canyon, and pat yourself on the back as to how fantastic it looks, but if it falls just 10 meters short of reaching the other side... it is a useless structure.

Let me make it clear, I do not criticise the positive work the LRA may do for this community (especally the volunteers)... I exhort them to focus on achieving BIGGER GOALS for this community, to OPEN their minds to the possibilities, and to strive to complete the last '10 meters' of our construction as a GREAT community, as in the analogy above.

I am reminded of the fantastic video by Dewitt Jones who underscores my attitude towards possibility-thinking in: Celebrate What's Right With The World - see http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=28163893

However, I AM highly critical that the LRA board, as seemingly intelligent people, do not actively include everyone from this community who wants to participate and deliver in a big way... and that they DENY specific locals the opportunity to actively participate in making a difference in this community as they want... especially the PASSIONATE ones, such as self (acknowledging my continually openly declared vested interest).

Courageous Leadership would find a way to accommodate such passionate contributors. It's really that simple.

In essence, I repeat, this forum's call is for the LRA Board members:

1. ..to RAISE Standards... continually... especially those of service delivery, openness and transparency.

2. ..to unleash the Abundant Potential that lies within our community... open up to include everybody who wants to participate.

3. ..to facilitate a regular major indaba of all key stakeholders, decision-makers and interested contributors in this community.

I have no idea why the LRA does not actively demonstrate their intent to follow this call... what is it that they FEAR?

Regards
Trevor Nel - Lonehill Resident
011 - 705-2790