Greetings!   

I overheard a fascinating conversation yesterday morning between one of St. Louis's most vociferous capitalists and a retired Democratic politician. While on the surface it was civil (we were in a public place, after all), the temperature kept rising as each countered the other with phrases starting with "but..."

It became evident that each was locked in the Knower/Judger. Neither was interested in a solution to the divide, but rather in winning this debate at this place at this time. Each was bound and determined to meet his personal emotional need to come out on top.

How often do we lose sight of the big goal to satisfy some emotional need?  Drink a milkshake versus lose weight. Win an argument versus have a quality relationship with a relative. Prove our brilliance to a prospect by showing him the error of his ways versus close the deal. Bring the U.S. Congress to a standstill versus balance the budget and serve the American public.

When this happens, we somehow shove our Learner/Researcher ways aside, drag in our locked-in (albeit incomplete and impoverished) historic understanding of the world, and attack! All for the sake of feeling good about preserving the internal status quo.

My experience is that these types of transactions accomplish little but the temporary satisfaction of an emotional need. At worst they can place a possibly productive relationship in jeopardy. The Hamiltonian/Jeffersonian debate that has successfully guided our nation for the past 235 years or so seems to have reached this critical dysfunctional mass. Neither side seems willing to step out of the K/J long enough to let the other side be heard and explore the doubt. Best interests of the American citizen be damned.

So as I watch my two friends go at it, I can't help but think I have my work cut out for me trying to save the planet one conversation at a time.

NEWS FROM CLARITY SUMMIT 

On the weekend of March 4-6, our Early Spring Summit attracted some fantastic individuals who took the time to figure out what's getting in the way and what to do about it. 

Your next "aha" moment could come at the next Clarity Summit. What's getting in your way?  Find out May 6-8 at the Moonrise Hotel in beautiful University City, MO.  Click here to learn more.