Earlier this week, we introduced the IT Factor on LinkedIn.  In doing so, we invited you to:

“… consider and decide upon one joy or passion in which you find natural and healthy escape… you lose yourself “in the zone”.  It is your go to path to switching gears, allowing you to move forward by engaging your sense of personal freedom.  For me, it is my music and singing. How about you? Name it.  Claim it.  Once claimed, reflect on ways that you can make it accessible to you daily, in some way, shape or form so that it truly is go to. Make it so. Make it your go to for shifting those gears.”

Having such a go to joy can be powerful in shifting those gears, when needed.  Still, reflecting upon that for which we are most thankful tells us much more about who we are; as the real deal.  As noted in the last post (particularly in the video), we know that it is best to be thankful for all… trials and triumphs alike.  They all have value as teachers, indeed and in deed.  We know that thankfulness is a powerful virtue of grounding.  Still, when we focus our thankfulness on that for which we are most thankful, we start to get glimpses of ourselves, real; and that speaks to Integrity.

Before going any further, here is an engaging read from the Harvard Business Review… essentially around building cultures of integrity.  It is worth the time, just to open up thought.

Now, moving on…

Last night, I did my weekly WHATSUPWITDAT Facebook Live Chat.  Within these 28 minutes or so, I spoke real.  Indeed, within the video I referenced a most kind comment that was made of me by those who know my work… about being the real deal.  I do not say this for any other reason than to admit that I seek to be real.  Strength is real.  Life is real.  Challenges are real.  And success can and should be so.

So what is my point this morning?

Think about your classroom, whether you are a student or educator, counselor or administrator.  How would the IT Factor strengthen the culture in the classroom and on campus?  How would genuine gratitude for the trials and triumphs as blessings or teachers help with building a stronger classroom?  More specifically, how would exploring that for which we are each most thankful help us get to know and accept one another more?  How would it help in being more open and celebratory, expecting the best?  I can say that when I get to know my students better, the classroom is better.  When I get to know my colleagues better, the staff room is better.

And what does that do for Integrity?  What would that do for living our best, faithful to our ideals and who we are at best?  How would that impact unleashing who we each are at our best?  Then, how would that unleashing strengthen our ability to make better choices and stands based on who we are at that state of best?

Consider these questions for your workplace, business or community.  How would being truly thankful for that for which we are most thankful help us to better articulate who we are and let others know who we are?  How would it increase understanding and connection when we know and can lay claim to that which makes us most happy and grateful.  How does having a better understanding of what makes each of us truly tick help us in building the kind of team or community that is both aware and ready to work better together?  And how does that impact the integrity of each of us and the whole as well?

Rhetorical questions?  Possibly.  I humbly suggest that when we can articulate that for which we are most thankful, we start reading our own tea leaves and can better describe who we are at core.  Others can get to know us better when they understand that for which we are most thankful and why we are so thankful for those things.  I suggest, again humbly, that such knowledge helps us to lay claim to who we are at best… and that empowers us to make better decisions, choices and stands, individually and collectively.

Ultimately, I suggest that you start deeper conversations.  Get to know both yourself and others by exploring your highest order of thankfulness.  Heighten the conversation within and without, to move beyond the simple and polite talk.  I am not suggesting counsel one another.  I am suggesting get to know one another.   Any great TV or movie or book really gets going when we get a better understanding of the real character at play.  When we better know ourselves and others, our integrity is advanced… and that engages us to make those better and wiser decisions, choices, actions and stands.  Snape knew this truth.

So, get real.  Get thankful.  Get talking.  Get listening.  Get each other.  Real conversation leads to real knowledge and real knowledge strengthens integrity.  Last night on WHATSUPWITDAT, I experienced it first hand.  Tomorrow night, we explore it live on Facebook @ Barry Lewis Green.

Peace, passion and prosperity.

Barry Lewis Green, aka The Unity Guy™

PS

Barry is ultimately a vocalist, strength coach and educator. His work is about voicing, exploring, identifying, practicing and mastering our strengths and building upon them through practical and powerful unity and resourcefulness. That is why Barry is The Unity Guy™. EPIC Engage™ is an extension of The Unity Guy™. The Epic work is all about building strong, united and inspired cultures lead by character… at school, work and community; where everyone matters and contributes everyday.

PS

Facing fear, can be a road to both Thankfulness and Integrity alike.  Some perspectives on same.

PPS

A simple musical message on thankfulness.

PPPS

An addendum, with this video talking about The IT Factor.

PPPPS  🙂

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