Who Do We Choose To Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity

This book is born of my desire to summon us to be leaders for this time as things fall apart, to reclaim leadership as a noble profession that creates possibility and humaneness in the midst of increasing fear and turmoil.

I know it is possible for leaders to use their power and influence, their insight and compassion, to lead people back to an understanding of who we are as human beings, to create the conditions for our basic human qualities of generosity, contribution, community and love to be evoked no matter what. I know it is possible to experience grace and joy in the midst of tragedy and loss. I know it is possible to create islands of sanity in the midst of wildly disruptive seas. I know it is possible because I have worked with leaders over many years in places that knew chaos and breakdown long before this moment. And I have studied enough history to know that such leaders always arise when they are most needed. Now it's our turn.

Margaret (Meg) Wheatley writes, speaks, and teaches globally about how we can accomplish our work, sustain our relationships, and willingly step forward to serve in this troubled time. She has been working actively out in the world since 1966. She is the author of six other books. www.margaretwheatley.com

OPENING 2
1. THE ARROW OF TIME 26

2. IDENTITY 62

3. INFORMATION 98

4. SELF-ORGANIZATION 140

5. PERCEPTION 172

6. INTERCONNECTEDNESS 210

7. WHO DO WE CHOOSE TO BE? 244

CODA: WHEN THERE IS NO REALITY 290

Appendix 299

Recommended Readings 309

Acknowledgments 312

Index 313

Author: Margaret Wheatley 319