Extraordinary Influence

12What Would Happen If We Put This into Practice?A Call to Action

As a citizen of the United States, I have become somewhat dismayed in recent years about the level of divisiveness and dysfunction in our country. Whether politicians, journalists, celebrities, or just the general populace, criticism flourishes and affirmation languishes. How we arrived at this state invites rigorous debate, but the more important question is how do we restore respect, civility, and unity as a country? While I cannot speak with authority, I suspect the same questions plague other nations, as well.

Following 9/11, I was struck by the increase in simple courtesies. Small things like friendlier greetings, holding doors open for others, allowing someone to merge into traffic, and other acts of kindness seemed to rule the day for a few months. We had been humbled as a nation, and it showed. We became nicer people for a while. Against the painful darkness of the assault on our people, there was also a civic kindness not seen in a long while.

Entropy eventually set in, and gradually, we returned to our pre-9/11 preoccupation with our normal lives. Civility seems more difficult for busy people who haven't been humbled recently.

This book asserts that certain actions bring out the best in others, while others bring out the worst. Wouldn't we like to see a lot more bringing out the best in each other? I have expressed many opinions throughout the book, but the major tenants of Extraordinary Influence rest ...