Who Do We Choose to Be? Second Edition

Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity

By: Margaret J. Wheatley

Narrated by: Margaret J. Wheatley

In a world we cannot recognize, how do we find a way forward? In a world we do not understand, how do we know what to do? When so little is comprehensible, what is meaningful work? What is genuine contribution?

Best-selling author Margaret Wheatley has summoned us to be courageous leaders who strengthen community and rely on fully engaged people since her 1992 classic book Leadership and the New Science and eight subsequent books. In response to how quickly society is changing and the exponential increase in leadership challenges, this second edition of her latest best seller is 80 percent new material.

How do we see clearly so that we can act wisely? Wheatley brings present reality into clear and troubling focus using multiple lenses of Western and Indigenous sciences and the historic patterns of collapse in complex civilizations. With gentle but insistent guidance to face reality, she offers us the path and practices to be sane leaders who know how to evoke people’s inherent generosity, creativity, and kindness.

Skillfully weaving science, history, exemplars, poetry, and quotes with stories and practices, Wheatley asks us to be warriors for the human spirit, leaders and citizens who stay engaged, choose service over self, stand steadfast in the midst of crises, and offer our reliable presence of compassion and insight no matter what.

©2017, 2023 Margaret J. Wheatley (P)2023 Margaret J. Wheatley

Beautifully devastating yet motivating

This was an epic read for anyone who cares to slow down, think clearly and discern a path forward in how to make a meaningful contribution in a chaotic world.

Sacred reality

Excellent…Dave Troy recommended Margaret Wheatley’s book within an article he wrote What to do When there is Nothing to be Done. I am grateful for the recommendation, because I now know what to do…

Poignant

So much to think about presented and an uncanny, enlightening perspective during these tumultuous times.

Wheatley gets it

Hard to take in and necessary, Margaret J. Wheatley helps as as new and caring leaders, to self-identify as warriors for the human spirit. In this final stage of decline of this wave of civilization as we know it, there are things, good and worthy things, that each of us can do. We can acknowledge the truth of where we are, find our own unique path to contribution (and honor it/do it, and create islands of sanity, communities of awakened individuals committed to being generous, caring, creative and kind to one another, in the midst of the chaos around them. Even in the worst of times, and they are here and will get worse, we can create the conditions necessary to thrive and know joy. But it is up to us. No one else is here to save us. We are it and must decide what role we want to play. Sobering and sad in many levels, this book is simultaneously encouraging and inspiring. A call to action for leaders of these times. I highly recommend it.

Making sense of our times

Meg Wheatley’s perspective on this moment in our history is honest, loving, and inspiring. If you are wondering how to show up during this time of disruption and social unraveling, you will find wisdom and advice here. Each of us can help create islands of sanity in a crazy world.