{"id":3084,"date":"2014-10-31T18:02:34","date_gmt":"2014-10-31T18:02:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dminlgp\/?p=3084"},"modified":"2014-10-31T18:19:08","modified_gmt":"2014-10-31T18:19:08","slug":"the-restoration-of-nerve-knowing-where-one-ends-and-another-begins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/the-restoration-of-nerve-knowing-where-one-ends-and-another-begins\/","title":{"rendered":"The Restoration of Nerve: Knowing Where One Ends and Another Begins!"},"content":{"rendered":"

The assigned task of reading Edwin H. Friedman\u2019s book, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in an Age of Quick Fix<\/em>, was for a moment a daunting task. I began as usual by perusing the table of contents and scanning through the chapter headings and sub-headings. Nothing different here although a few words jumped out creating a sense of foreboding: imagination, regression, emotional triangles, and the presence of the past, to name a few. Was Friedman writing in a high academia genre often typical in textbooks of this nature? What does \u201cnerve\u201d have to do with leadership especially in the context of \u201cregression\u201d and \u201cemotion?\u201d Do you know the dictionary definition of regression?<\/p>\n

[A] trend or shift toward a lower or less perfect state: as (1):<\/strong>\u00a0gradual loss of differentiation and function by a body part especially as a physiological change accompanying aging (2):<\/strong>\u00a0gradual loss of memories and acquired skills (3):<\/strong>\u00a0reversion to an earlier mental or behavioral level \u2026[1]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love a book with a good<\/em> index; in fact, all books without an index should be outright rejected by the publisher. In previewing a book to read (purchase), I always read the consumer reviews and the index. Since this was a required course read, the reviews were unimportant; the index, however, was significant. I found very little encouragement here: chronic anxiety, acute, symptomatic, systemic, mental health, emotional processes and emotional triangles, empathy, pathology and the frightening phrase \u201cthe social science construction of reality.\u201d Before reading a single paragraph I could give my own definition for \u201cacute anxiety!\u201d<\/p>\n

I can exclaim with some conviction and excitement, \u201cIt was not to be!\u201d Of course, I always read the preface and introduction specifically to see how much of the book I can skip or at least discover the parts of the book that are germane to writing this review. The \u201cEditor\u2019s Preface\u201d was intriguing as it gave me an introduction to who Edwin H. Friedman was and some background for the writing of A Failure of Nerve<\/em>. In the very first paragraph the editor tries to give something of \u201cEd\u2019s sense of paradox, humor \u2026 storytelling \u2026 and teaching style.\u201d [2]<\/a>Among several comments, the editor made one that caught my attention:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe colossal misunderstanding of our time is the assumption that insight will work with people who are unmotivated to change. If you want your child, spouse, client, or boss to shape up, stay connected while changing yourself rather than trying to fix them.\u201d[3]<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This concept immediately rang true in my mind, emotion and internal spirit even before I could begin to understand its fullness and depth of meaning or to consider the implications of \u201cstaying connected\u201d while changing oneself. I went on to read A Failure of Nerve<\/em> from cover to cover which I can only report of a few textbooks assigned in our course of study. I hasten to note, this by no means indicates I have grasped all that Friedman is revealing in this and his other writings.<\/p>\n

I do believe the statement by the editor quoted above encapsulates Friedman\u2019s work more than any other single sentence in the book. Friedman alludes to the failure and assumption of insight (meaning knowledge) as fundamental to effective leadership when he quotes Gilbert Murray, \u201cThe great thing to remember is that the mind of man cannot be enlightened permanently by merely teaching him to reject some particular set of superstitions. There is an infinite supply of other superstitions always at hand \u2026\u201d[4]<\/a> Friedman notes that \u201ceven the most learned ideas can begin to function as superstitions.\u201d[5]<\/a> From this premise he develops his leadership theory that is based on the emotional process of self-differentiation rather than developing and refining leadership mechanics or improving the leadership practices in the hope of becoming better leaders. He notes that to become effective leaders \u201crequires shifting our orientation to the way we think about relationships, from one that focuses on techniques that motivate others to one that focuses on the leader\u2019s own presence and being.\u201d[6]<\/a><\/p>\n

I ought to note that Friedman\u2019s ideas and concepts seem to be specifically important in the context of understanding cultural influence and ministering in a multi-cultural environment, which is the subject for my research concentration and also for several others in the cohort. This applies in particular to his definition of \u201ccultural camouflage\u201d and how it masks attempts by leaders to lead. Understanding the particulars of a person or an organization\u2019s makeup, background, culture or environment are not the key to leadership; rather, \u201cleadership is essentially an emotional <\/em>process \u2026\u201d This is radical! Most of what I read on multicultural ministry suggests that we must understand (knowledge) culture and diversity while providing leadership that opts for peaceful, conciliatory co-existence. I will admit, I am only at the threshold of understanding the implications of a leader\u2019s emotional processes as a \u201cpeace-monger\u201d and the result of ineffective leadership.<\/p>\n

In terms of the content in A Failure of Nerve<\/em>, Friedman\u2019s writing is progressive, illuminating and academic; very easy to read. It breaks easily into two parts: the first, after an excellent introduction, details in chapters three through five what he calls the \u201cequators\u201d that lead to ineffective leadership. The equators are the \u201cmyths, emotional barriers<\/em>, and learned superstitions<\/em> \u2026 limiting our horizons and range\u201d[7]<\/a> thus creating leadership allusions restricting the ability to lead. These allusions are knowledge, empathy, and self-integrity. The second part, chapters six through eight, forms the crux of Friedman\u2019s theory: differentiating self as a means of experiencing reality. This emphasizes the significance of people (family or organizations) of being together while retaining individuality and accepting individual responsibility.[8]<\/a> \u00a0It is important to understand that Friedman is casting leadership as a relationship system<\/em>. This is the key to the kingdom, the ability of an organization to \u201cmodify surrounding relationships through its presence rather than its forcefulness.\u201d[9]<\/a> In other words, effective leadership is not knowledge, position, or power, but rather it is differentiated presence. Friedman defines this as being:<\/p>\n

\u2026 a non-anxious presence, a challenging presence, a well-defined presence, and a paradoxical presence. Differentiation is not about being coercive, manipulative, reactive, pursuing or invasive, but being rooted in the leader\u2019s own sense of self rather than focused on that of his or her followers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Friedman approaches leadership from the perspective that focuses on an organization\u2019s strengths rather than weaknesses. A systems approach to leadership that encourages individual responsibility does not focus on weaknesses but rather on strengths. This, ultimately, is the key to the kingdom.<\/p>\n

One other note is the stimulation to reading and research that was associated with reading A Failure of Nerve<\/em>. Inspiration came from the very first paragraph of the preface where Gilbert Murray in Five Stages of Greek Religion[10]<\/strong><\/a><\/em> was quoted to other references (there are neither citations nor a bibliography) throughout the book.[11]<\/a> In addition to acquiring Murray\u2019s book, I reviewed Friedman\u2019s book, Generation to Generation: Family Process in Church and Synagogue<\/em>,[12]<\/a>\u00a0and I am interested if others in the cohort who have read Generation to Generation[13]<\/strong><\/a><\/em>\u00a0who would share their insight on its usefulness. Although I have no<\/em> aspirations toward counseling or engaging in family therapy, it would seem advantageous to understand Murray Bowen\u2019s research and theory as it is significantly referenced by Friedman in chapter two and seems to be foundational to his work.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> Encyclopedia Britannica, \u201cMerriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus\u201d (accessed October 30, 2014) http:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

[2]<\/a> Friedman, 60-62.<\/p>\n

[3]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[4]<\/a> Ibid., 102.<\/p>\n

[5]<\/a> Ibid.<\/p>\n

[6]<\/a> Ibid,. 152.<\/p>\n

[7]<\/a> Ibid., 1820.<\/p>\n

[8]<\/a> Ibid., 3584.<\/p>\n

[9]<\/a> Ibid., 4220.<\/p>\n

[10]<\/a> I was able to find Murray\u2019s book in the Kindle edition for free (accessed October 30, 2014) http:\/\/smile.amazon.com\/Stages-Greek-Religion-Gilbert-Murray-ebook\/dp\/B004TREFCE\/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=1-1&qid=1414764121<\/a><\/p>\n

[11]<\/a> See for an example: Bowen, 1066; Wilson, 1170; McLean, 2200; Kerr, 2250; Sheldrake, 4520; and others.<\/p>\n

[12]<\/a> See: http:\/\/smile.amazon.com\/Generation-Process-Synagogue-Guilford-Therapy\/dp\/1609182367\/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top<\/a><\/p>\n

[13]<\/a> Friedman, 259.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The assigned task of reading Edwin H. Friedman\u2019s book, A Failure of Nerve: Leadership in an Age of Quick Fix, was for a moment a daunting task. I began as usual by perusing the table of contents and scanning through the chapter headings and sub-headings. Nothing different here although a few words jumped out creating […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[491,2,236],"class_list":["post-3084","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-lgp4-3","tag-dminlgp","tag-friedman","cohort-lgp4"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3084","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3084"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3084\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3087,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3084\/revisions\/3087"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3084"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3084"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.georgefox.edu\/dlgp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3084"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}