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Editor-in-Chief
Tommy Boone, PhD, MPH, MA, FASEP, EPC
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A
Shared Vision Precedes Reality: A Personal Perspective
Tommy Boone
Professor and Chair
Director, Exercise Physiology Laboratories
The College of St. Scholastica
Duluth, MN 55811
“A great organization is like growing a tree; it takes 20
to 50 years.” -- A Japanese Belief
WHEN TWO or three
individuals believe they have found the answer to their problem, and they
are willing to create what it takes to make it reality, it is a "shared vision".
It is also a shared force for change because the shared vision reflects
both a personal vision and commitment to a new reality. Today, members
committed to the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) have a
shared vision. It is the answer to their common caring about the future
of exercise physiology, and it is exciting too. The ASEP shared vision
allows for a way of thinking that has not existed before.
Exercise
physiologists of all ranks have come together to create a common identity
and purpose. For those who embrace the vision, there is no turning back.
Even when there is no guarantee of success, they push forward. They
do it because they believe it is right, and because they want something different.
And, on a personal note, as a college teacher who teaches exercise physiology
majors, I do it because I’m committed to my students. It may not be
possible to convince everyone that this article and others like it represent
my commitment and action driven by my personal vision of something better
for my students. But, I’m committed nonetheless and, where possible,
I live by the words of Joe D. Batten and Leonard C. Hudson who said:
“It takes a much bigger person, a stronger, more dedicated
and disciplined person to continuously give to others that which is most precious,
most rare, and most valuable – himself.” [1, p. 22].
Creating a shared
vision is always a challenge. Individuals often operate first from their
personal vision. That is what I’ve done for sure. It doesn’t have
to be an issue, however. After all, “shared visions are built from
personal visions” [2, p. 212]. So, what is the problem with nurturing
an ongoing and never-ending desire for a new identity and purpose through
articles like this one? Nothing! Absolutely not a thing!
Change is incremental. It requires constant work and commitment in spite
of criticism. The impetus for pioneering work is always greater than
the resistance to change. Executives and businessmen and women understand
this point all too well. Criticism simply creates tension that transforms
yet another rough idea into a new reality. Creative tension is good
because it helps to clarify the shared vision.
Individuals “…intent on building shared visions must be willing
to continually share their personal visions.” [2, p. 215].
After several weeks
of mulling over negative comments about publishing too many articles in the
PEPonline journal, I realized
that I have complete authority to write and publish as many articles about
the professional development of exercise physiology as I have time and energy
to do so. The comments also got me to thinking about the original ideas
that resulted in the founding of the ASEP organization in 1997 as a non-profit
professional organization of exercise physiologists. I knew then that
the organization must exist to correct the fundamental problem of no leadership.
Moreover, the “networking” of the academic exercise physiologists was driven
by day-to-day conversations about research. Almost no one was talking
about making exercise physiology come alive as a profession.
This
is where the ASEP vision emerged. Exercise physiologists joined ASEP
out of the genuine desire to correct inequities through the building of a
profession. Clearly, exercise physiologists need their own professional
organization if they are to freely express their dreams, beliefs, and values.
And, frankly, I need the PEPonline journal
to help make the vision real. It is my daily commitment that I’m working
on behalf of every exercise physiologist, and I will continue to do so.
On the other hand, if it is enough to be a member of ASEP without the commitment
to make a difference either through inaction or negative comments, then
step aside and stop complaining about those who are genuinely trying their
best to make a difference. This point ought to be obvious. No
organization can make it when the members are not on the same page.
Commitment is imperative, and effectiveness is defined by the shared effort.
The
ASEP leadership needs members who are committed to the shared vision; members
with energy and passion to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
And, according to Peter M. Senge, we should all remember that, “The committed
person doesn’t play by the rules of the game. He is responsible for
the game. If the rules of the game stand in the way of achieving the
vision, he will find ways to change the rules.” [2, p. 221]. With committed
members, achieving the seemingly impossible is 100% possible. It is
their shared reality. But, when members aren’t committed, when the ASEP
vision is not their vision, and when personal goals stand in the way of committing
to a shared initiative, then they are likely to follow the thinking of others.
This is a problem because it is hard enough building a new organization even
with committed members. Non-committed members can’t help. So,
what is a committed member to do? Here are several steps for sustaining
a shared vision:
1. Be yourself. Don’t be concerned about criticisms.
Don’t allow the lack of energy of an non-committed person distract you from
your true commitment.
2. Tell
it like it is. You don’t have to have all the answers. Simply
stay the course. Do what is necessary to hit the target. Write
and/or talk about the shared vision as often as your heart believes is necessary.
3. Forget
about the rules. When your heart is in the right place, don’t concern
yourself with traditional or common thinking. Keep the vision before
your eyes, work at it, and create it in every facet of your personal and professional
life.
4. Transcend
the negative. We all need support from our colleagues. It helps
us feel that we are on the right track. But, if the support isn’t there,
don’t let it get you down.
5. Contribute
something everyday to the profession. In other words, do what you
can with what you have. Do it each and everyday so that those who come
after you will have it better than you did.
To lead others effectively
a person must first know him- or herself. These five steps are a beginning
point. They are also essential to “paying the price” for our freedom
as professionals. That is, the freedom to speak our minds, to call
a spade a spade, the courage to work for what we believe and, yes, the courage
to label quackery and fraud for what it is [1]. Commitment and dedication,
even when it upsets the non-committed, are vital to sustaining a shared vision.
It is the willingness to dare something great even when (perhaps, especially
when) it is not fashionable. Therefore, to write yet another article
about exercise physiology is my right. I have no reason to apologize
for the number of articles I’ve published or the types of articles I’ve published
in PEPonline. I will apologize only
when I have not done my very best to communicate the need for professional
development of exercise physiology.
The
importance of embracing a vision with positive passion, courage, and conviction
has been written about thousands of times before me. Those who have
done so understand that indecision and non-commitment are a combination for
failure. Most people don’t like to fail and, in fact, competition to
win is a strong motivation to train hard. I’m not just fascinated about
the 21st century vision of exercise physiology, it is part of me. The
ASEP vision has influenced essentially every aspect of personal and professional
life. I can truthfully say that my work is a reflection of my desire
to see and live the new reality now, not decades from now. This point
shouldn’t be too hard to see or to understand. I have, as Batten and
Hudson said, “Let myself go!” I speak about ASEP with passion, and I
live ASEP with passion. All human beings have a purpose, and ASEP is
one of my purposes in life. It gives my life an additional meaning,
and I’m thankful for the opportunity to give back something to a profession
that has meant everything to me. So, again, as Batten and Hudson concluded:
“Don’t let it worry you when inhibited, timid, pale, mousey
individuals look at you disapprovingly; when they purse their lips, when they
pull down the corners of their mouths and say, ‘He…talks too much, gets too
excited, feels too much passion.’ Don’t let this kind of person back you
off into a corner. Come on with increased vehemence as long as you
are sure that your motivation is absolutely concerned not with taking, not
with listening to yourself, not with getting; but with giving, building, and
creating.” [1, pp. 38-39]
These are great
words of advice. During times when almost everybody has a vague uneasiness
about almost everything, there will be negative comments even when your heart
is in the right place. My advice is don’t let the little people get
in your way of sharing the vision of something special for all exercise physiologists.
I’ve had to learn this the hard way because, in general, I’m an easy-going
guy who expects the best from everyone I know. The problem is that
not everyone is on the same page. Those who aren’t can make it difficult
for those who are learning the ropes. My advice is to keep strong,
believe in yourself, stay encouraged, look for and find positive people with
positive thinking ideas and, in the end, you and I will become what we believe
we are already. I’ll end this personal note on what it means to share
the ASEP vision by the following comments:
I’ve got no time for negative
talk about the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
I’ve got no time to listen to the person who believes that
ASEP cannot make or is not making a difference.
I don’t want anyone to associate him- or herself with me who
believes that exercise physiologists do not have a right to their own professional
organization.
I want people around me who can get the job done, regardless
of one’s work schedule or family matters.
I want people around me who live passionately to ensure that
the shared vision becomes the exercise physiologists’ reality.
I want people around me who are willing to work on behalf
of all exercise physiologists in the professional development of exercise
physiology.
I don’t want anyone around me who is afraid to write an article
and publish it to inspire members of the ASEP organization.
I want people around me who understand the challenges of building
a professional organization and who are willing to make a difference.
I want people around me who are talking about how great ASEP
is and how much better exercise physiologists will be as we achieve our shared
vision.
I don’t want people around me who don’t have a backbone, who
think in negative terms, or who are saturated with a philosophy other than
ASEP.
References
1. Batten,
J.D. and Hudson, L.C. (1966). Dare To Live. West Nyack, NY: Parker Publishing
Company, Inc.
2. Senge,
P.M. (1990). The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization.
New York, NY: Currency Doubleday.
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