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(Continued from page 1)
standards and eliminate special interests. Our own democratic form of government as well as many of the European socialistic governments have their roots in this old paradigm of collectivity.
In addition to the influence of Rousseau and the Age of Reason, Western civilization has been greatly affected by another era, the Renaissance. A powerful intellectual movement of the Renaissance called Humanism blended historical concerns and religious concerns with attempting to understand the problems of humanity. The scholars of the Renaissance sought the improvement of society through fostering greater understanding of humanity and more opportunity for each individual.
The entrepreneurial spirit of twentieth century America has produced remarkable inventive, creative energy and reinforced the strong value of individual achievement in our country. The goals of the Renaissance and the Industrial Revolution have been met in America today. Western civilization is on the brink of a major paradigm shift from the old version of collectivity--the majority rules and compromise is supreme--to a New Paradigm of Community.
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This new community requires its members to bring all of who they are for the maximum enrichment of all. For a number of years, the people of Camelot have been creating a community based on this new paradigm. We understand much about what it takes to make it work and know there is more to learn. What we know we want to teach to other organizations at the same time deepening our own knowledge about the new community.
WHAT WE KNOW
Camelot knows that the new community is made up of responsible individuals with these qualities: commitment, willing to hold others accountable and be held accountable, initiative, flexibility, high tolerance for ambiguity. They come together around a common mission; their relationships are based on equity not equality. What does that mean? It means we include all our differences, all our ideas, all our talents, all our opinions, all the resources available, all the resistance, all the objections, all the energy, all the commitment. The end result is optimum decision-making, total buy-in, every possible option, more value added, no sabotage, total
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participation, no blame, synergy.
The leaders are those best able to facilitate and empower others. They articulate the vision to sustain the mission. Enlightened leaders know when to follow the lead of others.
HOW TO CREATE THIS NEW COMMUNITY AT WORK
Like good computer systems, these new communities require both new generation hardware and sophisticated software. The hardware of the community is its participative systems such as employee ownership; gain-sharing; grievance reconciliation; conflict resolution; committees and caucuses; suggestion, reward and evaluation processes. The sophisticated software required is indeed the skills and qualities of people--people with a high degree of personal development, empowered to participate fully.
There are three essential qualities that everyone can learn which comprise the sophisticated software:
The ability to listen empathically
Authenticity and congruence
Unconditional Positive Regard and Respect
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