Utilizing The Relationship of Cause and Effect Is An Essential Skill

There might not be a more powerful human force on earth than the relationship of cause and effect. Every event in history stems from this natural, inevitable progression. Actions produce reactions. Cause is action and effect is the corresponding reaction.

Some things just make sense. Call it an epiphany, call it an "aha" moment. When we understand, when we get it, we can do amazing things. Consequently, understanding the relationship of cause and effect is a powerful skill in becoming accountable leaders.

This page is the next step in utilizing the content from previous pages. This page is sort of it's own model for cause and effect. When we learn proven leadership skills, the cause of that effort is a greater understanding of people and more confidence in our abilities to make a difference in people's lives. 

The Unbreakable Link In The Relationship of Cause and Effect

Cause and effect can work in either direction. There is an old story of Sir Isaac Newton watching an apple fall downward from a tree. The effect of this downward flight caused him to wonder why it fell that way? The apple falling down caused him to delve into the theory of gravity.

As responsible citizens, our daily interactions are the results of grasping the message of this page. Here are a few examples of cause and effect.

"As a result of her understanding the four personality types, she was able to defuse a potentially heated exchange and reach common ground."

"Thanks to his skillful use of the art of listening, he was able to comprehend the problem described to him and offer effective solutions."

"He refused to even consider any opinion other than his own, consequently a violent confrontation ensued."

There are other examples as well. Fear and apathy cause more missed opportunities than anger and ignorance. The latter pair can be corrected with better knowledge and examples. Those first two share the comfortable cocoon of safety that keeps us securely tucked away from taking bold steps.

Failing to take bold steps causes us to miss chances to improve our lives, to help the people we care about and to make full use of our talents. At the end of our lives, do we want to look back at what we didn't do and the effects of those decisions? Do we want regret to be caused by fear and apathy?

So why bother? If you are still with us on this page, you've already answered that question and provided proof of the cause and effect relationship. We bother understanding this topic because our decisions will drive our actions. Those actions will have an impact, an effect on our entire lives. 

Choosing to ignore this subject is also an action, a cause. And there will be an effect. It always works that way. Every cause has an effect, big or small. Wars are the effect of greed and lust for power. Evil is only defeated when honest people take up the cause and begin united actions to overcome the initial effect of greed.

Most of the time that first push of evil was allowed to grow because enough people didn't take up the honorable cause of standing up against the greed and evil.

They Build On Each Other

The relationship of cause and effect is so strong that the ramifications cascade and create more causes that produce more effects. Whether those effects are good or bad depends on the original intent and implementation.

When lies are spread about a group of people or an organization, the lies, (the cause) lead to mistrust, bigotry, and anger, all effects of the original cause.

Over time that mistrust and anger grows into more dangerous territory. A new cause leads to a new effect. Targeted violence toward that group or organization takes place, easily justified when that original cause was not based on fact.

On the other side, history teaches us about ordinary citizens doing extraordinary work. The relationship of cause and effect was never more recognizable than the following example.

Mother Teresa took a small group of associates into one of the most impoverished areas of the world. Her initial cause and the effects that followed created a domino effect that became a worldwide cause which still has positive effects around the globe.

We all have the same opportunities. Our words, our actions, our examples are catalysts, causes of positive change in our own small section of the world. But it won't end there. The skills we've written about on this website are all about creating the catalysts to bring about a new wave of accountable citizens.

Cause and effect. You reap what you sow. We all have the chance to create a ripple effect that produces an even greater cause, which in turn brings more positive effects.

The relationship of cause and effect puts the power in our minds and hearts. How will we use that power?

Return to Leadership and Self Development

Return to Home Page

Privacy Policy