Excellent talk about the inspiration of the human race.  POWERFUL!

My assets and possibilities relative to service are simple, I am finding myself and defining what is my mental model.  Theory U is the framework that will continuously encourage me to co-sense, be co-presence, and co-create when defining that mental model. 

I can refine my service based on my patterns from the past.  I need to understand my biases and understand the surroundings of the environment that I was raised in.  In this way, I can learn from my thoughts and ensure I address the negative thoughts and rely on my positive thoughts to impact the lives of others.  

Seeing with fresh eyes.  A message I heard from Thelma Rice in Summer Institute  2015 changed my lens on life to this day.  She spoke how as transformational leaders, we have to see the level of despair, unfairness, and pain in mankind so that it requires us to lean over the table and find better ways of improving the social injustices in the world.   She specifically spoke about  treating the homeless with dignity and respect, since they are in fact, human beings just like us.   To this day, when I am walking to work in downtown Chicago, I say hi to all the homeless people I see and have conversations with many.  

Sensing from the field.  The interviews that I conducted for the racism presentation in November hit me directly at the heart.  First of all, I was impressed with the individuals we spoke with, Michael Peoples, Molly Collins, and Sara Mishefske and I sensed their commitment to the issues they were addressing and how they conveyed those thoughts in such a way that they impacted unequivocally.  

I immediately connected with their thoughts on social injustice and unexpectedly even became emotional when speaking about my grandson during our racism presentation because of the impact they made on me.  

So I understand, i have to have more than understanding or sympathetic, I have to be empathetic, and  "walk a mile in the other's shoes".

The antidote for evaluating your subconscious bias, flip it to test it.   My desire is to be a bias free, transformational leader and the first step is to understand my biases, flip it to test.

Biases - I was born and raised on a dairy farm in Eastern Iowa.  I lived a normal childhood with two loving parents, friends similar to my likes and hobbies.  With a roof over my head, food and clothing provided daily, and an above average education.  A typical Iowa farm life.  

What I didn't know was people of color.  There were no people of color in our school and the only interaction I had with people of color was when we went to the city.  Because of my childhood experiences, my biases were developed from my home environment and the guidance from my family.  I wasn't taught to be a racist, but I do recall certain prejudices towards other races that were discussed between my family members.  This was the framework of Jerry's biases.

When I left the farm and joined the Navy, I immediately came in contact with people of different race and beliefs.  This was a humbling experience as I spoke with other sailors about their childhoods and the different trials and tribulations that they had to endure.  I quickly became friends with many of these sailors and ultimately counted on each for my life while stationed on submarines, aircraft carriers, and other Navy vessels.  My Navy experience built upon my bias framework and I believe framed where I am at today.

I believed that my biases are limited to those interactions I had on the farm and in the Navy.  I also believed that my interactions with other people was not based on prejudices, but  through my own lens, and that lens was clear of any biases.  

I now realize that I was "SO WRONG".  I do have biases, no matter how slight.  I realize that I do look at people differently.  But I can say that I always attempt to treat people with dignity and respect, not based on their race, ethnicity, religion, or other differences. 

I participated in the Implicit Association Test and was surprised by my results.  I expected positive results and surprisingly, I  was labeled as having "a weak negative attitude towards black people".  

Interesting, only for the fact that I have friends, colleagues, and family (i.e. grandson and daughter-in-law) that are black and I have positive relationships with.  What I have came to realize is that may be the case because of certain mental models I developed over my life.   I understand that I am susceptible to these biases and I have to ensure I don't allow those biases to get in the way of my interactions in my daily life.  

So for me it is simple, to attack my biases, I need to learn it isn't "us versus them", or "familiar versus unfamiliar", but rather we, or equal.  

In my first year at Cardinal Stritch University, one of my first assignments was to develop a personal mission statement that depicted my transformational leadership approach.   

My personal mission statement transcends to the nature of service and also articulates a philosophy of service that integrates leadership and learning with the intent and action to serve.

To be a transformational leader, one must have the courage to "fall, and get back up".  With faith, authenticity, and growth, one can accomplish anything you set out to do, even when roadblocks sometimes crop up during the journey.
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I understand a mindful, transformation leader must have the ability to not just lead, but listen and continue to offer a helping hand for the people who need the help the most.  

I have the opportunity, and realistically, the responsibility to help the person that fell, and assist them in getting back up on their way to a meaningful, successful life.