August 29, 2016

“The modern mind is in complete disarray. Knowledge has stretched itself to the point where neither the world nor our intelligence can find any foothold. It is a fact that we are suffering from nihilism.” (Albert Camus)

Albert Camus was a French philosopher – he won the Nobel prize for literature in 1957 – with whom I would find little common ground. But, we’re together in that sentiment: it seems that we’re in a culture that knows better, but is manifesting a herd mentality as it accelerates toward a dark future.

In earlier eras (era: that used to describe a long and distinct period of history; today, it’s an election cycle), candidates were offered by the major parties as a champion for all that is right and good, offering an optimistic hope for a better tomorrow. Today, political competition has eroded into a “gotcha game,” as if the last shameful revelation will be made just before the polls open, too late for the other side to counter a disqualifying disclosure with something even more sordid.

Something’s gotta change. Bad grammar, but a great aspiration. The course we’re on is careening toward some kind of cliff: what’s got to happen to get back on-track?

In the addiction world, intervention is often marketed offering a “Turning Point.” In business, Andy Grove – one of Intel’s founders – observes a “Strategic Inflection Point:” a time in the life of business when its fundamentals are about to change. That change can mean an opportunity to rise to new heights. But it may just as likely signal the beginning of the end…”

I find myself looking at our culture with growing dismay. My mind goes immediately toward segmentation: I see three generations on stage, together – Boomers, Busters and Millennials – and their growing disconnection. Within each of those generations, agreement is not assured: the cream rises to the top in any collection of personalities. A few will achieve influence, and the majority will be influenced. To affect any turn from destruction means shifting the course for a select strata. As Scientific American reported in 2013, “the Influential Few predict the behavior of the Many.” Who will influence the Influential Few?

Robert Goolsby is an entrepreneur in the marine shipping industry based in Houston. A decade ago, he made some profound discoveries about God’s Kingdom and his own God-sourced potential through The Master’s Program. During those three years, he experienced his own Strategic Inflection Point. The last ten years have been a decade of immense challenges for Robert, but he has piloted his life and family through those rough waters based on his strengthened worldview and leadership expertise…

Robert’s son and son-in-law are young men of great potential, but navigating life at a time of immense cultural cross-currents. What could a thoughtful patriarch do to help make them the Influential Few? He’s not a philosopher, he’s a leader: he’s bringing them – with him – into a better future.

In Robert’s words: “My desire is to provide both men with an opportunity to be challenged to go beyond the boundaries of today’s societal expectations and to continue to grow in their walk with God in every aspect of their lives including spiritual growth, professional growth and direction and family. I want them to be able to invest their time and talents in areas that have high yield for the Kingdom by impacting their lives, their families lives and all those they touch as they go through life.”

Robert has enrolled both of them – and, himself – in Master’s OnLine. They’re going to experience the weekly video download individually, and then process the content together. Robert:  “This investment has eternal rewards that far exceed anything we can find on this earth. Each of the men may get different values out of the program and for me it is an opportunity to revisit Master’s but it will connect us and hopefully give us opportunities to grow together.”

Curse the darkness… or, turn on the light. Robert is doing something for his family… but he’s also doing something to change the culture. You could do that too…

Who’s in your down-line? Check out Master’s OnLine: could you create a Strategic Inflection Point for some next-generation men and women whose futures could be influenced by your leadership?

Bob Shank