Being a public leader often requires making decisions that, based on a set of deeply ingrained personal principles, impact the lives of many.
To engage in public life without an ethical tool box will yield results similar to a paper hanger showing up on the job without a chalk line. What might start out looking straight in the beginning stages will in the end show up as unscrupulous. This leads to the concept of "crooked" politicians. Most people in public office are honorable. Unfortunately there is always a scattering of policy makers (both public and corporate) who appear to be guided by principles that are balanced but are not.
The recent falls from grace by Seattle School Superintendent Joseph Olchefske, Tacoma City Manager Ray Corpuz and Tacoma Police Chief David Brame have shaken people's faith in public officials. President Bush appears to be on the way to having his tool box of principles getting a closer inspection when it comes to the matter of war and peace.
With these thoughts in mind, I knew it was time to have a conversation with my friend and mentor Tsuguo Ikeda. Most call him Ike.
Ike is a sage of sorts: He's been in the public arena for more then 50 years and has led with wisdom. Ike is best known for the legacy he left for Rainier Valley youth and families in his 33 years as director of the Atlantic Street Center
He has contributed widely to the field of social services for youth and families struggling through a life that is not so easy. He has earned a position of respect and honor. Whenever I need a voice of clarity I seek out Ike.
Ike came prepared to lead this discussion: This means he was armed with a file of materials beyond merely "Ike's Eleven Principles" which are so straightforward that all 11 of them can be printed on the back of his business card.
I always want him to explain these principles he has developed based on Japanese terminology and ideas. He finds it amusing that he never mastered the language, but his experience as an American born in Portland to Japanese immigrant parents made him want to always honor the wisdom of his ancestry.
The Tsuguo "Ike" Ikeda story would include the fact that at the age of 17, in September 1942 he and his family were uprooted from their home in Portland and placed in Minidoka, an American style concentration camp in Idaho. The act of internment is what I regard as one of the three most unethical and cruel policy decisions made against humanity by American leaders. The other two are the taking of land and culture from Indians who are the original residents of this part of the world, and the theft of human beings from Africa to create slave labor. Let us remember that these decisions were made in an atmosphere of division based on fear and greed.
What I did not find in my research about Ike's life was anything referring to "Ike's Principles," so I wanted him to tell me again about his 11 principles wrapped up in terms that keep him linked to his Asian ancestry. Bonsai, Gambaru, Ikebana, Judo, Bamboo, Seito, Sensai, Daruma, Tofu, Mizu, Karate.
Ike's 11 principles are the kind of lessons that public officials, corporate executives and religious leaders might want to learn. It is not criminal behaviors that undermine our leaders, it is the lack of an ethical foundation from which to stand and draw upon when making decisions. Ike told me that there is a mandate for each of us to build our own set of personal principles on which to stand and to share with others. He says pick your own words from terms important to you.
There are a few of his principles which are my favorites. Principle 3: Ikebana (Power of Limited Resources). Ike reminds us that in the art of Japanese flower arrangement, it is the seeing the limited resources as a means to accomplish powerful action rather than as an excuse for inaction. Principle 5: Judo and Ukemi (Learn to fail and succeed). Ukemi is the art of learning to fall correctly and the first skill a student of Judo must master. Ike uses these terms Judo and Ukemi to teach that we must be able to see the long term goal and that this requires time and the ability to tolerate hundreds of fallings (failures) along the way without flinching.
Ike revealed with no hesitation that he will support Hillary Clinton for President if she runs. His daughter gave him Senator Clinton's book and after reading it he wrote to her. In the letter he says, " I'll be 79 years of age next month so by the time you run for the Presidency ... I may not have energy to campaign on your behalf. So while I can think, I wish you will continually demonstrate as an articulate and caring senator." He ends the letter telling her she will be a great President who will help change our nation and the world. He ends with "Thank you for writing the book - I was inspired!!!"
Ike is not a boastful man and he takes his successes in stride. His contagious laughter makes you believe that the struggle is what makes life meaningful. This encompasses Principle 6: (Bend with the Wind.) When standing on a firm foundation of an entrenched root structure of skill and knowledge you can withstand the storms of the harshest of winters. Ike is as resilient and beautiful as bamboo and his personal tool box has served him and many others quite well.
