Balconies, Frames, and Budget Resolution

Columns

Discussion

January 31, 2010

By BILL CRAWFORD The Meridian Star The Meridian Star Sun Jan 31, 2010, 08:00 AM CST

MERIDIAN —

At heart, Mississippi leaders and legislators have good intentions.

    But, as Samuel Johnson and others taught, good intentions often beget more hellish than heavenly results.

    Witness the fracas in Jackson over budget cuts. All know cuts must be made. All seek the best way. Yet, we see no consensus, just fuss and factionalism.

    Makes you wonder if those involved ever step away, get up on the balcony, and observe everyone’s behavior. Would such perspective give them new insight? Pull them together?

    In Leadership Without Easy Answers, Ron Heifetz says yes, it would. That is about the only way authentic leaders can externalize conflict and see paths to resolution when dealing with difficult problems, he says.

No problem in Mississippi. Our venerable State Capitol has balconies galore.

    But visitors to the balcony galleries in the House and Senate seldom walk away having seen resolution. And those peering over Rotunda balconies mostly see the oldest lobbyist in the world and his ilk plying their trade.

    Rather than the broad perspective Heifetz suggests, our leaders tend to lock themselves into narrow perspectives. Reframing Organizations by Bolman and Deal helps us understand. Their study of leaders found tendencies to see the world from one of four frames: factory, family, jungle, or temple. Factory folk tie solutions to structure and organization. Family folk tie solutions to human needs. For jungle folk it’s all about power. Temple folk use inspiration.

    Take a moment and figure out the frames in which your favorite elected officials fit.

    Many see government decision making as jungle stuff – power games. Now, power games are real and do have impact. But, as with most things, it’s not that simple. Lasting solutions seldom result from crushing the opposition or reluctant compromise.

    Lasting solutions to tough problems, say Bolman and Deal, occur when all four frames come together. Budget restructuring that takes into account human needs and reconciles power is still not enough. People must be inspired and motivated so they will earnestly implement solutions.

    Such solutions, while painful at the front end, lay a solid foundation for the future.

    Many will tire of the power games in Jackson. That’s when, if ever, factory and family forces will approach common ground. Will leaders then emerge who can inspire resolution?

    If not, forget about the balconies at the State Capitol. Focus, instead, on the fact that it was built in 1903 on the site of the old state penitentiary, a site vexed with anger and shame. That will be a tolerable frame of mind as budget conflicts worsen into next year and good intentions rip asunder.

    Bill Crawford, a former legislator, runs a non-profit leadership organization in Meridian.

Text Only

Columns

Spring revival time
February 10, 2012
European travel tips
If there is a condom machine in the restaurant’s restroom, you have made a mistake in your choice of dining establishment.
That is one of my rules for dining in Europe. Unfortunately, if you are already in the restroom, it’s probably too late.

February 8, 2012
Military cuts and BRAC to challenge leaders
February 6, 2012
Let ms.gov know what's going on
The state's newly relaunched web portal, www.ms.gov, is a great idea. According to a news release this is the first major update for the site in more than a decade.

February 5, 2012
Today’s need — $3,893.76
Today’s need concerns eleven circumstances. The first need is a couple in their forties working all the hours they can. The husband’s paycheck has been running low because he has not been receiving the hours at work he was accustomed to. With $274.38 we can keep their utilities form being cut off.

February 4, 2012
Killer, the cat ...
February 3, 2012
Counsel fight remains a political cold war
The ongoing legislative battle over the so-called “outside counsel” or contingency fee law remains a political cold war between the state’s trial lawyers and the state’s business and medical interests – and it’s a story that has two sides.

February 1, 2012
Travel technology
After leaving the Trapani Salt Flats on the western coast of Sicily on a late November afternoon, I maneuvered our vehicle down yet another remote, unmarked dirt road and passed dozens of vacant houses. No one was on the streets. It had been 10 minutes since we had seen another car. Sunlight was at a minimum. We had been warned several times about remote areas of Sicily.

February 1, 2012
Restoration spurs renewal in East Miss.
Choctaw tribal chief Phyliss Anderson restored and reopened Phillip M’s at the Pearl River Resort last week. She also signaled her intent to renew the economic policies so successfully implemented by the restaurant’s namesake.
"Under the visionary leadership of our late Chief Phillip Martin, our tribe realized great progress and today I am proud to honor his legacy with the re-opening of Phillip M's," said Anderson, flanked by members of Martin's family.

January 30, 2012
Today’s need — $2,393.77
1 JOHN 3:17 - “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has not pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” Praise belongs to God as every need in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 has been met. Thanks to everyone who has generously given over the years to change lives physically, financially, and spiritually. Each week I stand in awe of God as I witness God’s provision in our lives.

Today’s need concerns six circumstances. The first need is a lady in her fifties just released from the hospital. Her sister she was living with died a few months ago. She is trying as hard as she can to pay the mortgage to keep her sister’s house. She has been able to maintain all her expenses so far but does not have money for her prescriptions. These prescriptions are necessary to keep her physically well. With $300.00 we can provide her much needed medications.

January 29, 2012
More Columns Headlines

Columns

Search Results

Discussion

Balconies, Frames, and Budget Resolution

Site Map

Contact Us