Leadership Lessons from Gate 45

In June, the sun spent six days in Gate 45 and as I reflected on it, I thought of what is and then I turned to thoughts of what can be. Gate 45 is one of leadership on behalf of survival of the tribe and collective.

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We are living in a hierarchical world. Our systems have been set up to reward those at the top. This was not the ideal for the founders of the US who idealized a more equal state of affairs but today, we have oligarchs – a small number of people who have control over an institution or government. Here is the U.S., we pride ourselves on a democracy. Yet, in practice recently, fewer and fewer of us really get to have a voice in what goes on. Even our presidential electoral power has now been handed over to a few states instead of the whole of the electorate. We are moving dangerously close to being a hierarchical government. We have an oligarchy that is doing everything it can to retain its power which is the direct opposite of what democracy is.

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Now, this isn’t meant to be a political post, but what I describe is an example of Gate 45 - in its shadow side. It’s the Shadow of Dominance. We succumb to the will of the few at the top and a reaction to it is to hunker in and only be concerned about the SELF or the immediate family. As long as I/we survive, who cares about the others.  Some bow to the voice of one and allow themselves to be dominated. Others decide they need to join in and climb, climb, climb to become one of them.

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We are in a very difficult, emotionally-upsetting, transitory time in our human evolution and the work is to move toward a more egalitarian set of structures, actions and beliefs. Gate 45 tells us that we need to turn our beliefs and actions toward the concern and welfare of the whole. In this age, that is a global concern. We are more connected than ever. In my own life, I have become international, with international clients and colleagues. I would never have even considered this in my early professional career. 

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We see instances of the modern financial structure giving away huge sums of money to help the poor, the hungry, those that are victims of war, those living in violence, those without healthcare, improving education. These are examples of the change that is coming and is needed – using finances to serve.  We are witnessing this change as their dollars seek to improve humanity so that everyone can become self-sufficient. We are seeing Compassion (Gate 15) become a hallmark of some of the powerful and rich. We are also witnessing the selfish hoarding of what is mine. Which will we choose for our future?

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 We are also witnessing this Gate 45 in action as businesses are in the midst of changing (a plus side of the COVID epidemic) and beginning to allow employees to balance family and work. More of this will come because more will request/demand it. 

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Philanthropy, thus, lives in Gate 45. It is allowing that we have enough to enjoy our lifestyle, and then, give away the rest. It’s an energy of generosity, understanding enoughness. Many years ago, a staff member and I took a group of youth to Washington DC for a trip as part of their leadership program. These were youth living in public housing, surrounded by gangs and violence but wanting more. They were not the A student leaders normally focused on, but kids who were struggling, labeled and with educational needs. So, we were walking one morning from our hotel to get breakfast, and there was a homeless man on the curb. We walked past, ignoring him. Except, that the kids didn’t. They pooled their money and bought him breakfast and took it out to him. I learned a lesson that day. 

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We all have something to give.  What are you capable of giving and what cause is important to you? Your time is a precious commodity too.  Think of others. Use our natural authority and power to serve others. These are the lessons of Gate 45.

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Want to learn more about the gates in your chart? Here’s two options:

• My book Journey to Your SELF, Unlock the Gates of Human Design and Awaken Your Inner Wisdom is now available. Click on Books at the top of my page and you’ll be directed right to it.
• Schedule the three-session Align to Your Human Design where we go deep into your blueprint.

#humandesign #humandesigncoach #humandesigngates #humandesignsystem

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