Maria Grant

Loyalty: A Double-edged Sword by Maria Grant

June 29, 2020 by Maria Grant Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking about the many facets of loyalty. It all started several months ago when I had lunch with a friend. We have much different political views, but we appreciate and enjoy each other’s company and, for the most part, we avoid discussing politics. But one afternoon during the impeachment hearings, we had a leisurely lunch. The impeachment hearings were on the news 24/7 and it was difficult to ignore them completely. I made the error of saying, “I can’t believe that Trump fired Alexander Vindman, a lieutenant colonel and purple-hearted war hero who was serving on the National Security Council. He saw something he thought was wrong and reported it. His reward: He’s escorted out of the White House.” My friend’s response: “Oh Maria, he had to go. He was insubordinate and disloyal.”

That conversation haunts me. I have concluded that loyalty is an extremely complex concept. Is it loyal to stand by someone when you know he or she has done something wrong? Often too much loyalty can be deadly. Blind loyalty, where you are willing to do anything for a cause, can result in the atrocities of Nazism. Blind loyalty to get a person re-elected to office, can result in Watergate-type coverups which can harm a nation, mean jail time for offenders, and cause general disillusionment and alienation for the populous.

Think about the Boeing 737 MAX. Coverups of major engineering mistakes, prompted in part by loyalty, led to hundreds of people dying. Blind loyalty can cause drug companies to hide deadly side effects of drugs they manufacture. Blind loyalty can cause bank employees to create unauthorized accounts to maximize profits. I read the other day that Melania wanted Trump to select Pence as a running mate because she knew he would be loyal, not because he had the best experience or skills complementary to Trump’s. (He was destined to lose his next Indiana gubernatorial election in part because of his obsession with the social conservative agenda such as the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” at the expense of state and economic issues.) So, did Americans get the best possible vice-presidential candidate? I think not.

I understand that if you are leading troops into battle, you must have faith that your troops will be loyal and follow orders. Otherwise, your mission could prove disastrous. But that’s different. Once a course is charted, an army must accept, adopt, and execute the plan.

Motivation may be the crux of the loyalty issue. We all have been in work environments where managers, executives, people in power fear hiring someone smarter than themselves. They feel threatened. It might make them look bad. It may mean that they no longer are “top dog.” For that reason, they hire “lap dogs” or resort to some sort of nepotism, hiring friends and relatives whom they assume will be loyal. In contrast, we have been in work environments, where the people in charge hire the best and brightest. They hunger for people with deep expertise to question, to challenge, to come up with better ideas. Their goal is to develop the best possible solution, product, etc., whatever the mission may be. Without that” what if we did…” conversation, that best solution may not surface. If all you care about is loyalty, you may not get the benefit of the “best and brightest.”

I understand there is another side to this coin. Disloyal employees who share trade secrets, who divulge information only for self-promotion or self-advantage or to harm someone else can cause tremendous damage to an organization. In my career, I have been astounded at the extensive repercussions such devious employees can cause.

Themes around the ramifications of misplaced loyalty abound in literature and philosophy. Practically every Shakespeare play deals with breaches of loyalty—Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth. In Hamlet, Polonius, both a trusted advisor and a villain, says the following to his son Laertes before he goes to France:

“This above all, to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man
Farewell, my blessed season this in thee!”

So, after much reflection, here’s where I come down on the issue of loyalty. When you run an entity—say a department, a company, a country– if you are truly loyal to that entity, you seek to hire the best and brightest to work in your organization. You make it clear that you run a tight ship—that integrity and honesty are important. You let employees know that you want them to question you, to bring up “what if’s,” to step up if they have a better solution in mind. You tell them that you want to know if anything illegal or unethical is going on because you will not permit that kind of activity in your organization. There will be consequences to unlawful actions. If they see something, they should say something. After a decision has been made, you expect them to support and stand behind that decision. And if they see illegal or unethical issues or misinformation being promulgated, they should address them through proper channels. You do not subscribe to the “let sleeping dogs lie” school of thought.

In my mind, true loyalty to yourself and country means striving for excellence—never settling for less. It means doing your job to the best of your ability and asking questions when you think the letter of the law has not been followed. Vindman did just that. I still say he is a bonafide hero. When Vindman testified at the impeachment hearings, he was asked why he chose to speak. His reply: “This is America. Here right matters.” Let’s hope that’s still the case.

Maria Grant served as Principal-in-Charge of the Federal Human Capital practice of Deloitte Consulting. Since her retirement, she has focused on writing, music, reading, travel, gardening, and nature.

Op-Ed: When the Bough Breaks by Maria Grant

June 18, 2020 by Maria Grant 1 Comment

What must happen before someone says, “I can’t do this anymore?” That is the question. Think about it. Relationships survive until an individual says, that’s it. That’s the last straw. People continue to work at jobs that they may not be enthralled with until something happens. Perhaps it’s a promotion given to an employee far from deserving it. Or a company endorses a policy that isn’t environmentally sound or ethically responsible. That’s it. You decide to move on. People maintain and cultivate friendships until an event occurs where they can no longer pretend that this is a valuable friendship based on a common set of mores. Certainly, we all have friends who have differing opinions on issues. That’s a good thing. But let’s say, you discover your friend is a racist or a thief or does something truly reprehensible. You reach the end of the “acceptable behavior” that you can tolerate. You can no longer look the other way. You won’t “respect yourself in the morning.” It’s called the breaking point.

So why haven’t the followers of this administration reached their breaking point? This is a puzzle that I have not yet solved. I realize that by now they have invested a lot in this relationship. Yes, they have gotten a cadre of conservative judges—two on the Supreme Court. Yes, the religious right has heard multiple endorsements of the “right to life” movement and the importance of religion. Yes, both small and large businesses have gotten tax breaks they felt they so richly deserved. But what a price we have paid! How can they possibly think it was worth it?

So many good things about the Republican party—and there were many at one point—are gone. Reduce the deficit. Focus on fiscal responsibility. Encourage private enterprise. Promote free trade. People who have been Republicans all their lives have left the Party in disgust. Many allies all over the world have given up on us. Our reputation as a voice of reason, humanity, steadfastness and intelligence has been sullied—perhaps irredeemably. We look selfish and petty as a country. We lack insight, depth and empathy, and most of all reason.

During the age of enlightenment, writers such as Thomas Paine and John Locke wrote about reason and rational thinking. The concept was that everything should be subject to rigorous testing and analysis to ensure that it was valid and made “common sense.” In more modern terms, was “X” truly valid? Or is there a fatal flaw—a major disconnect–in the logic at hand? Does this administration in any way truly represent the ideals to which its followers say they espouse?

I have decided that the overriding motto or “reason” of those who still endorse today’s troubled, muddled administration is, “If I open the floodgates, if I let someone else have “their fair share,” I will have less. I must protect my God-given right to what’s mine. If I allow more immigrants in this country, I will have less. If I assist more Black Americans in getting a solid education and promote true equal rights under the law, I will have fewer rights. If I agree to share, I will suffer. They see that the pie is only so big, and if more slices are cut, their slices gets smaller. Need I remind you that this is not rational thinking.

Many economic theorists would beg to differ. If you increase demand for goods and services in an appropriate fashion, more will prosper—the rising tide lifts all boats philosophy. Obviously, measured controls must be in place. And there are nuances to these theories. But there is also logic and reason, and proven examples of how making the pie bigger adds a richer tapestry to our society, including diversity of thought, new approaches and methodologies, wonderful ethnic foods, music, art, and literature. Plus, there is that bonus of doing the right thing.

So, let’s try this for rational thinking. When we married, I thought we wanted the same things. We both changed and have grown apart. It’s time to move on. I have learned a lot in this job, but this company’s guiding principles and priorities no longer mesh with mine. It’s time to move on. We’ve had some good times as friends, but I can no longer stand by and ignore your racist comments. It’s time to move on. And finally, unlike me, if you’re a Republican, I had grown weary of politicians and their doublespeak and empty promises. So, I decided to vote for an apolitical reality television star. I made a mistake. It’s time to move on. I now seek a true conservative Republican who embodies my values and will serve the office with dignity and honor. Now, that’s reason.

Maria Grant served as Principal-in-Charge of the Federal Human Capital practice of Deloitte Consulting. Since her retirement from Deloitte, she has focused on writing, music, reading, travel, gardening and nature.

Op-Ed: Should We Return to the Way We Were — Maybe Not by Maria Grant

June 10, 2020 by Maria Grant Leave a Comment

No question about it. These are the times that try men’s souls. We are frightened. We are anxious. We don’t know what will happen next—when the other shoe will drop.

In addition to the pandemic, racial unrest, massive unemployment numbers and hurricane season on the horizon, people are locked in households where they just are trying to carry on—to hold down the fort. I read the other day that many experts predict a massive rise in divorce filings once the pandemic abates. One headline read, “Is It Cheaper to keep Her?” Other articles tell stories of exes getting back together to see each other through the pandemic. Still others discuss the hazards of online dating during a pandemic. Some new connections have talked and emailed for more than two months but have yet to meet in person because of restrictions or quarantines.

Even happy households are having a tough time of it. Family games, jigsaw puzzles, musical instruments, Netflix, birthday drive-bys, and homemade backyard hockey ice ponds have all been on the rise. The positives people report include more family time, more cooking and homemade meals. I have about five friends who have tried making bread for the first time—most with surprising success. More people are reading. More people are writing. And more people are reaching out to old friends and relatives—connections that they have put on the back burner in recent years.

One thing I have found myself pondering during this pandemic is the idea that maybe we shouldn’t jump back to business as usual when the current crisis is over. In the height of my career, I was on an airplane every week. I ordered room service in hotel rooms at 10 pm. My colleagues were on the go 24/7.

Take a look at one segment of work—say office jobs in DC. Many people sat in traffic sometimes up to two or more hours a day. In the process, even if they used public transportation, they were contributing to pollution and energy consumption which both contribute to global warming. Once they arrive at the office, they attend endless meetings, many of which can truthfully be described as wastes of time. The office environment often decreases opportunities for exercise and increases opportunities to eat unhealthy food for lunch—fast food, candy bars, chips, donuts, frozen drinks at your desk, etc. Then there is the rush home from work, feed the kids, take them to soccer practice, monitor homework, and then crash in front of the TV until midnight when the whole rat-race begins again. It’s complicated because some friends say they are exercising more than before and are in much better shape. Others say they have gained the COVID-19 five to eight pounds.

Obviously, there are many downsides to this pandemic from a societal perspective. Social isolation is a huge issue and results in more difficulty with brainstorming, getting group work completed, interacting with others in person to really understand differing points of view. And then, of course, the many nursing homes and assisted living facilities where residents have not seen loved ones for months. So much loneliness. So much anxiety.

Yet, somehow, I don’t think the right answer is to go back to business as usual once the pandemic truly abates. Thousands of people teeming in so many airport terminals may not be the right answer. The mission of many business trips can be achieved remotely. This obsession so many of us have with constantly being on the move may need to be rethought. The value of a more contemplative lifestyle must be reconsidered.

Some businesses are putting plans in place so that their employees can work remotely more—at least two or three days a week on a permanent basis. We have seen increased use of technology—Zoom, Facetime, Google Meet, etc. While none of this is new, the scope and uses of these mediums are spawning increased ways to collaborate remotely—some of them being incredibly creative. (Check out the Hamilton cast singing on Zoom to a young girl who had tickets for a production that had been cancelled.)

There has also been an increased appreciation for teachers. Many parents have talked about how much more respect they have for their children’s teachers now that they have sat with their kids and walked them through their lessons day after day. Let’s hope that this appreciation leads to a demand for higher pay for teachers, as well as other essential workers and first responders. The other side of that coin is that much of the remote education has proved to be less than satisfactory. Many parents report that there is a ton of busy work. They are exhausted from printing and scanning endless worksheets, many of which are far from accomplishing exemplary learning. I have also read articles about teachers in the process of making their online classes more interactive, more creative and more calibrated to the individual needs and abilities of their students.

Also, although we want our favorite restaurants to survive and thrive, perhaps many of us were eating out too much. Getting creative with the food in our fridge and cooking more at home is a good thing. It’s probably healthier for the most part, and it’s a super family activity.

I’m fascinated by the reports of changes in wildlife sightings. A friend in Silver Spring, MD reports that now it’s common to see deer strutting down her suburban street, a sight formerly restricted to the nearby parks. The downside is that braver deer mean braver coyotes, bears and skunks. You probably saw the news reports of the goat herd running down the streets in Wales. Mountain lions have been prowling the streets of Boulder. More birds, including some rarely sighted in urban environments, are being seen by avid bird watchers. And I’m sure many of us have read the stories of the rat crisis in NYC. Because so many restaurants are closed, massive numbers of rats can’t find food and are out foraging in city streets. It’s a rather frightening situation.

So, my point in all this rambling? While not minimizing the suffering and depth of the crisis, we should think through what’s better and what’s worse regarding this confinement. Try to maintain and enhance what’s better and address what’s worse. I have had many zoom virtual cocktail meetings with friends which I have thoroughly enjoyed. But I miss seeing my friends in person. And I realize I have taken for granted the joys of in-person get togethers with friends and family. I have spent more time reading and playing the piano which is good, and I want to be sure to continue those practices when I again have more options from which to choose.

In Wordsworth’s sonnet The World Is Too Much with Us, Wordsworth laments the fact that the industrial world has driven us to strive for material gains rather than take time to contemplate the glories of nature. Maybe the one upside of this pandemic is to in the words of Simon and Garfunkel “Slow down, you move to fast. You got to make the morning last.”

Op-Ed: A Plea for Civility–Put a Little Love in Your Heart by Maria Grant

May 27, 2020 by Maria Grant 1 Comment

These are difficult days even for the most fortunate of us. Death, hardship and uncertainty surround us. Kind and thoughtful words and gestures are more important now than ever. Instead what we see too often are cruel, thoughtless, and vindictive comments on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and pretty much every other media outlet.

Republicans and Democrats alike are guilty of making these heartless comments. Trump, on Memorial Day weekend, found time to comment or retweet on Speaker Pelosi’s dentures and need for Polygrip, Hillary’s skankiness, Stacey Abrams’ weight, and Biden’s senility. Democrats spewed forth about Eric Trump’s intellectual prowess (or lack of it), Trump’s morbid obesity, and previously called him “Con Don,” a clown and an S.O.B.

What have we come to? I am far from a social media maven, but when I land on a Tweet or Facebook comment, I often am horrified by the number of mean-spirited comments. The rank and file comment on singers’ appearance, talent, or lack of it, and taunt those who relapsed and re-entered rehab facilities. Gun-lovers and gun-haters spar with mean and often crude attacks. What has happened to civil discourse? To truly seek to understand another point of view?

These days people are being shamed and taunted for wearing masks or not wearing masks; for going to bars or for staying home. You name it. Whatever avenue you choose to pursue, you can bet there’s abuse waiting for you. It’s a sad situation. We seem to bring out the worst in each other. Tolerance and understanding have left the building. And my mom’s adage, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” no longer is in play.

So, what’s to be done about this name-calling and cruelty? Good examples start at the top. Presidents, governors, mayors, CEOs, teachers, leaders of all walks of life must set good examples and take the high road whenever possible. When they don’t, it seems everyone takes free license to follow their lead. On the other hand, when we perform or bear witness to acts of kindness and forgiveness, we set good examples for all. And such acts of kindness have surfaced during this pandemic. People have contributed to food banks, packed boxes of goods to distribute, fed healthcare workers, clapped at 7 pm every night to thank first responders and essential workers, raised funds through concerts, charity golf outings, etc.

However, when our leaders don’t exhibit thoughtful acts of kindness, we must take matters into our own hands and make every effort to be as kind and open-minded to others as we can. Also, to those most vulnerable, who suffer from mental illness, disabilities, addictions, weight or other appearance issues, we must be especially kind. In many ways, these vulnerable people are the bravest among us. It’s difficult for anyone to speak in public. But to speak in public when you have a disability—a stutter, for example—is especially brave. To re-enter rehab after failing once or twice before is brave. To keep trying when you have failed in the past at anything is brave. Let’s applaud and encourage such perseverance–not resurrect previous failures.

Also let’s give people a break. We all make mistakes. We use the wrong word, misspell, say the wrong thing, speak before we think, etc. When we apologize, please forgive.

In Jane Austen’s Emma, when Emma goes on a picnic with a group including Miss Bates who is of a poor station and somewhat simple, one picnic member decides to have a contest and challenge others to say “two things moderately clever or three things very dull indeed.” Emma makes a mean comment to Miss Bates and says, “you will be limited in number—only three at once.” Miss Bates realizes this is a major put down, blushes, stutters and Mr. Knightly takes her away to pick strawberries. Later Knightly admonishes Emma, telling her that her words were cruel and said to a woman pretty much incapable of defending herself. It’s unseemly and she knows better. Emma is mortified, feels instant remorse, realizes she was wrong, and eventually asks forgiveness, from both Miss Bates and Mr. Knightly. In time she is forgiven and redeemed. She evolves and becomes a better person. Perhaps that is what we all must do. Take stock and try to become better people. Hold our tongues. Refrain from making those cruel comments—much easier said than done. But most things worth doing are.

To quote Emily Dickinson: “If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching or cool one pain; or help one fainting robin unto his nest again; I shall not live in vain.”

Op-Ed: Facebook Brings Out the Worst in Us by Maria Grant

May 11, 2020 by Maria Grant 9 Comments

Given that we are in the middle of a pandemic, this is probably not the greatest time to list my pet peeves about Facebook. But I’m at my wit’s end. I can’t take it anymore. What follows are my greatest annoyances. And trust me, I have many.

First, there are the people who can’t stop posting pictures of themselves—pictures getting their hair cut, buying groceries, in line at the CVS, pictures of seemingly every meal they cook, pictures of themselves doing good deeds. It’s too much. Here’s an idea. How about limiting your self-photos to one or two a week? Right now, I could write a detailed account of your daily life. I don’t want to have that ability.

Then there are the 50- or 60-year-old men who post pictures of themselves from their high school football and basketball glory days. They identify every person on the team roster and talk about specific games that happened 40 years ago. One person even included excerpts of a grainy game film. Perhaps Springsteen was wrong when he said, “Glory days pass you by.” Thanks to Facebook they are alive and well.

Next are the religious zealots who post multiple quotes a day about Jesus the Lord, faith, etc. They record sermons and share them. They tell us that Democrats are evil because they “love” abortion. One recent post stated that there have been 244,000 abortions in the United States during the pandemic—much more death by abortion than Covid-19 they claim. How they know this, I have no idea. But this self-righteous proselytizing has got to go. They know the way, and they are filled with sorrow that you have not yet seen the light.

Following these topics on my irritation scale, are the people who once had an important job, light-years ago, and cannot stop talking about it. They show pictures of themselves in the White House or some other prominent place at least once a week. I can understand a few such posts, but please! We get it. We know that you were once an important person. Someone a long, long time ago understood just how valuable you are.

Another major pet peeve is the exhibitionist tendency—those women and men who post multiple pictures of themselves in bathing suits. What’s up with that? I find it narcissistic and inappropriate. OK—maybe one picture at the beach. But we don’t need to see you sunbathing from every angle. I have a friend who also posts pictures of her teenage daughter in bathing suits. Not only is this being inappropriate, it’s also dangerous. It’s easy for those of a perverted persuasion to discover where you live and it’s possible things could take a nefarious turn. Why take that chance?

Next on my list are the conspiracy posts. One going around right now is the “plandemic.” According to this crazy theory, Covid-19 is a plan cooked up by Trump-haters. These so-called haters are attributing deaths from heart attacks, cancer, etc., to Covid to make Trump look bad, so they say. Fauci is evil and a pawn for Bill Gates. Such conspiracies spiral on Facebook. These people have no qualms about never fact-checking their information. And what’s even more depressing are people who repost this garbage, glomming onto these misguided theories with even more whacked out nonsense.

The tributes to the deceased are tricky. You want people to be remembered. You want to celebrate their lives and reflect on the good things they did for this world. I understand that. But many of the posts smack of maudlin self-pity. I might give these posts a pass except for one that showed the deceased in an open coffin.

So why am I on Facebook? Good question. Many of my friends have signed off permanently. I guess I’m still on because I have friends whom I don’t see often, and I enjoy hearing what they are up to. For whatever reason, I love all the animal stories—animals being rescued; animals of different species cavorting together, etc. Also, sometimes people post interesting articles that I missed or an opinion piece that causes me to pause. I like the recipes, restaurant reviews, and some travel pictures. During the pandemic, I’ve also found some pandemic parody songs rather entertaining. But I’m beginning to wonder if it’s worth the pain.

We’ve all read studies that say the more time people spend on Facebook, the more depressed they become. I agree. I begin to feel hostile. Yesterday when I saw the 14th picture of the same woman, it took everything I had not to post a mean reply. I think what gets me down about Facebook these days is how self-centered people are. Also, sometimes it seems they just want everyone to know how great their lives are, how much they volunteer, how much they travel, etc. I suppose we can all live vicariously by seeing the lives of these successful happy people with great jobs, beautiful children, super vacations, and unbelievably sumptuous gourmet meals. But at the end of the day, I say: Put a sock in it. Perhaps we should all spend more time posting articles about how great other people are rather than ourselves. Now there’s a thought.

Obama’s Endorsement of Biden: Come in, He Said, I’ll Give Ya Shelter from the Storm by Maria Grant

April 16, 2020 by Maria Grant 2 Comments

I just heard Obama’s endorsement of Joe Biden. As someone with a strong thirst for sanity, reason, and humanity during these confusing and frightening times, the former President’s words were akin to seeing an oasis in a desert storm. Obama spoke of reason, grace, empathy, respect, dignity and science. He talked about the importance of having a team on the ground with knowledge and expertise in governing.

If nothing else, this pandemic has taught us how small our world is. How the actions of one person can affect millions—that at the end of the day we are all in this together. It sent chills through me listening to Andrea Bocelli sing Amazing Grace at the Duomo in Milan while seeing the empty streets of Paris, Rome, London, and New York.

Like many of us, I am weary of finger-pointing, arrogance, lies, incompetence, and self-serving rhetoric. It’s ugly and, as my mom used to say, “singularly unattractive and unbecoming behavior.” The level of animosity between the press and the President during these daily briefings is close to horrifying. Neither side is perfect. Neither side is innocent of twisting facts and figures. I stopped listening because I heard little information that would lead to solving the current international crisis. Blame China. Blame the World Health Organization. Blame the governors. Blame GM. Blame 3M, and on and on.

When I was in consulting, I was a huge advocate for “diversity of thought.” I loved having a variety of deep expertise on my team: communications, logistics, data analytics, technology, operations, strategy. When a multi-disciplinary, multi-generational team was assembled, amazing things happened. So many perspectives were considered. So many ideas that had not originally been put on the table were discussed. Nuggets of gold would emerge. It was exhilarating. Rules applied that no idea should be summarily dismissed without at least weighing its value, its practicality and its possibility for solving a problem. Such an environment spawns creative genius. Bringing in experts from within and outside organizations with different perspectives, priorities, and points of view is a good thing.

I assume that somewhere out there such brainstorming is going on around a vaccine for the pandemic–for how to get the country back to work; how to identify a future pandemic as early as possible and take more precautionary steps. I have read about various hospitals and research facilities putting together such teams. But we need more brainstorming and more cross-pollination of ideas from different milieus.

I loved hearing about Governor Cuomo’s Northeastern governor swat team that is working together to figure out next steps once the curve is flattened. About Google and Amazon working together to perfect Covid-19 contact tracing. This is no time for partisan politics, for commercial competition, for hunches, for lashing out and bringing up ancient history to suit your own campaign as opposed to solving this global crisis.

We are so much better than this as a nation. You see it in the heroic acts of healthcare workers, first responders, grocery clerks, delivery people—the list goes on. Let’s celebrate our heroes and applaud their immense sacrifices. Let’s encourage scientists and doctors and data analytics experts and technologists and logistic specialists to submit ideas that can help us develop solutions to our current problems and prevent future occurrences. Let’s all put our thinking caps on and strive to find pieces in this incredibly complex puzzle.

In the last stanza of Four Quartets, T.S. Eliot, says:

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

Perhaps this is a day of reckoning for all of us. And we can know for the first time that together each one of us can be part of a greater solution.

Op-Ed: Ten Reasons Why a Biden/Klobuchar Ticket Makes Good Sense by Maria Grant

January 8, 2020 by Maria Grant 11 Comments

All signs indicate that a moderate ticket is the preferred solution to beat Trump in November. Many Americans—even staunch Democrats—are nervous about a leftist candidate. They’re wary of the repercussions of too much change at once. And, at the end of the day, they believe in a capitalist America where ingenuity and hard work can mean the sky’s the limit. A Biden/Klobuchar ticket is consistent with these values.

Here’s why.

They are both moderate Democrats who stress the importance of reaching across the aisle to unify the country.

Klobuchar is a senator from Minnesota. Minnesota is next to Wisconsin, a pivotal state in the next election. Some pundits say it’s the most important to win. Biden is originally from Pennsylvania, another crucial state in this election. He set up his campaign headquarters in Pennsylvania for that reason. If Democrats can win Wisconsin and Pennsylvania in 2020, they have a much better chance to win nationally.

Biden is the most popular candidate with African Americans. The Black vote is crucial to winning. No other candidate scores as high as Biden with minorities. Klobuchar resonates with Midwesterners—voters who went in surprising numbers for Trump in 2016. Midwesterners trust Klobuchar because unmistakably she is one of them. Klobuchar has also done an effective job of reaching out to rural communities. When she ran for reelection in Minnesota, she campaigned in every rural community in the state. To date, she has done the same thing in Iowa.

Klobuchar is a woman. Many women are more motivated than ever to get Trump out of office. Sixty-three percent of US women have negative feelings about Trump. They also think it’s past time that a woman is elected to national office. This combo would be extremely attractive to that segment who yearns for a female President.

Klobuchar is 59. Biden is 77. Biden might run only for one term. That would position Klobuchar to run for president in 2024. Her experience as vice president would provide comfort for those still leery about voting for a woman president.

Both Klobuchar and Biden have a reputation for getting things done in the Senate. Both have passed more than their share of bills. Klobuchar is ranked first among current Senators in the number of bills passed with more than 100 under her belt. During his long Senate career, Biden sponsored a myriad of bills, including the first climate change bill, and was widely viewed as a master of bipartisanship (although some past positions will present problems given present-day mores about overly tough crime bills, etc. ).

Both Biden and Klobuchar have that “no malarkey” thing going for them. What you see is what you get. They exude sanity, decency, wholesomeness, and human kindness. You sense that they would make well thought out decisions that align with strategies honed from well-informed and well-qualified people in their administration—something that is sorely lacking today.

Both Biden and Klobuchar have similar points of view on healthcare. They want to build on Obamacare, not destroy it. They believe in an incremental approach to fixing the healthcare dilemma in America which is much more in line with what most Americans want. Importantly, neither has had to change their position on healthcare—they got it right from the start of their campaigns.

Biden and Klobuchar are in sync on most other issues: education, climate change, income inequality, and the need for civility in government. Their views are more in line with the way a majority of Americans feel about these issues.

Finally, let’s face it. This country is hungry for stability. We are “all stocked up on crazies” as Jack Nicholson said in As Good as It Gets. The Biden/Klobuchar ticket offers such stability in spades.

Many who read this article will counter that other candidates also offer these moderate qualities: Bloomberg, Buttigieg, Booker, and Bennet come to mind. It’s early in this election process. There is no doubt that surprises will be in store, and other credible combos will emerge. But It’s not too early to think about what a winning ticket might look like and continue to emphasize strengths that can lead to victory.

One is the Loneliest Number by Maria Grant

December 29, 2019 by Maria Grant 1 Comment

Last year I was Director of Human Resources for a nonprofit in Washington, DC. Like most nonprofits, space was at a premium. Three of us worked in a very small office which created challenges but also offered an opportunity for interesting conversations. One Monday morning I asked my 23-year-old colleague how she spent the weekend. She said she played video games with friends. I asked if everyone got together at one of her friend’s homes. “Oh no,” she said. “We were all in our own homes. I was in my pajamas for most of the weekend.”

That got me thinking about the ongoing human interaction situation in America. A recent millennial study showed that many millennials have intense feelings of loneliness and admit to having few close friends. More people live alone in the US than ever before—almost 25 percent. More than half of Americans are not married. Then add to that the fact that almost 30 percent of married people have strained relationships and feelings of isolation. Then consider the strata of older Americans whose spouses have died, in addition to many of their closest friends. I remember visiting my mom who was in assisted living the year before she died and recall my dismay at how many residents never had any visitors. They would stop me on the porch before I entered the building, just to have the opportunity to talk with someone. Emily Dickinson described the quiet devastation of such loneliness as the “the horror not to be surveyed.”

I read an article in the New York Times last year concerning Theresa May’s appointment of a Minister of Loneliness in the United Kingdom. Due in part to Brexit, Brits were feeling increasingly isolated. A report had been issued that more than 200,000 Brits had not had a conversation with another human being in more than a month. She reported that such loneliness can result in heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s, depression and anxiety. The aim of this new department would be to connect Brits to appropriate community and volunteer activities.

The irony, of course, which has been mentioned by many, is that we are all more connected than ever before. Through the Internet, Facebook, 24/7 news, etc., it seems almost impossible to disconnect. Teens commit suicide because they don’t get enough likes on their posts. Studies have shown that the more time spent on Facebook, the more depressed people become. Why? Because such time spent creates the illusion that everyone else is happy and active but you.

When you ride the Metro or walk the streets in DC, few people talk to one another. So many have earbuds listening to music or podcasts or something else. It’s as if they are in their own world—shut off from everyone. How many times have you gone out to dinner and seen a couple both looking at their phones and not speaking? I went out to breakfast a few weeks ago and sat next to a couple who literally did not speak to one another the entire meal until the check arrived. She was endlessly texting on her phone; he was reading the newspaper.

So, what to do about all this loneliness amid so much connectivity?

One long-term solution might be mandatory national service by a certain age. Everyone would have to sign up for one year of such service—Peace Corps, Vista, the Armed Services. These services stress the importance of involvement, connectivity, and responsibility.

Another hopeful sign is that many millennials have resurrected game night—getting together in person to play board games such as Monopoly or Scrabble, Trivia, etc.

Also, memberships in clubs—book, theater, art, hiking, biking, birding– are ways to get together around a common theme and meet people with similar interests.

Volunteer activities such as Habitat for Humanity, tutoring children, working at food banks, are also excellent ways to connect with the community.

Participating in mindfulness and meditation seminars has been proven to increase emotional intelligence, productivity, reduce stress and anxiety and in general improve the state of your psyche.

Taking workout classes at a local gym offers an opportunity to meet new people in a different setting as well as becoming more fit.

Mastering an instrument and then developing an informal group can also be rewarding. (I always feel a sense of accomplishment after learning even a simple piece on the piano.)

For those with strong religious affiliations, church groups are another excellent means to connect with others.

Families with small children also find ways to make new friends through soccer and hockey games and practices.

Many corporations are forming softball teams, walking groups, or discussion forums to offer ways to promote a sense of community.

In closing, each of us bears a responsibility to make a concerted effort to have a richer personal life and to contribute actively to our communities. We also need to remember that kindness goes a long way. That means being kind to yourself—less self-critical and more mindful of your inner being, as well as being kind to others—reaching out, giving a helping hand, and being less worried about reciprocal acts. Kindness releases feel-good hormones, reduces stress, and can improve physical health. And as the wise Bruce Springsteen once said, we all need “just a little of that human touch.”

Maria Grant served as principal-in-charge of the Federal Human Capital Practice with Deloitte Consulting. Since her retirement from Deloitte, she has focused on reading, writing, music, travel, gardening, and nature.

Cambridge Sculptor Laura Oliphant Carves Out a Unique Niche

November 7, 2019 by Maria Grant Leave a Comment

The sculptor Laura Oliphant has some wise words about restoration. “It’s important to maintain the fabric of the history,” she explained. “You also need to consider today’s world with its current needs and balance the restoration with how that space will be used. Buildings that are maintained the best are the ones that are used the most. I always say it’s important to keep the flavor of the building. Upgrade the building, but don’t ruin the classic style of the original.” Laura’s philosophy: The craftsmanship should reflect superior use of materials and produce aesthetic results that don’t draw attention to the restoration but instead draw greater attention to the original work.

“I compare it to my 1951 Chevy pickup truck,” she continued. I’ve had that truck for about 18 years. I updated certain features—rebuilt the 1954 engine, modified the T-5 transmission, added a 12-volt system, etc.—but restored the body of the truck to its original. So, my truck can perform at modern speeds and meet modern needs but retains its classic look and feel. That’s how good restorations works. That is what I love about Gothic architecture. It evolves and changes with the times. Gothic structures often offer room to expand and provide space for contemporary needs and expressions.”

Laura came to love sculpting at an early age. She went to Walt Whitman High School in Montgomery County and initially considered biology/veterinary science as a major. But she had amazing art teachers who recognized her uncanny ability to put things together in creative ways, and they encouraged her to try all kinds of art forms. For that reason, she ended up studying at The Corcoran, spent a year pursuing academics at Georgetown University, and then finished her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Maryland Institute College of Art.

Laura’s mother, Hendrika DeVries, an author and therapist, recently published a memoir When a Toy Dog Became a Wolf and the Moon Broke Curfew. Her father is Pat Oliphant, the Pulitzer-winning political cartoonist. “His name never really helped me get work,” explained Laura. “I always wanted my work to speak for itself, and I believe it has. I’ve gotten most of my work through word of mouth recommendations. Plus, I never sought the kind of notoriety my dad has and all the things that come with fame. Still, when I was growing up, it was an advantage to interact with his interesting colleagues and other artists.” Today Laura’s mother is remarried and lives in Santa Barbara, and her father, now remarried, lives in Santa Fe.

Laura has worked on restorations as varied as the Lincoln Memorial, Josephine Butler Parks Center, the National Cathedral, and Alban Towers in Washington, D.C. She even restored a tombstone slab in the Oxford cemetery. One day while at the cemetery with a colleague, osprey and eagles flew overhead. They looked at each other, and both remarked that they were fortunate to have the best job in the world.

Certainly, the most notable restoration has to be the Lincoln Memorial, a job which took nine months. She was the only one rebuilding all the joints. She has also done many private commissions—individual small jobs or carvings, plus lots of church work—statues, carvings, and moldings.

Laura works in a variety of mediums, including marble, stone, bronze, metal, and wood. She often works with European restoration mortar. She also designs and installs ceramic tiles.

Recently Laura was in Paris and saw what remains of Notre Dame cathedral. “I looked at it and cried,” she admitted. “I never expected to react that way. I felt such a sense of loss. There is so much history there, and it was such a special place. There simply is not enough money to care for these beautiful edifices. A spark can smolder for a long time and do significant damage. I would love to work on that project. It would be an exciting challenge, and I love Paris—except driving there, of course.”

While in Paris, Laura visited the Musee d’Orsay. When walking up to the building, she was attracted to one particular carving. Then once she started exploring the building, she found rooms that showed the evolution of that carving, allowing her to see what the artist was thinking as the carving evolved. She loves the Rodin sculptures in Paris as well and commented that Rodin’s wife’s works are among her favorites.

Laura said that she and her spouse, Karis Graham, came to Cambridge to buy a boat and ended up buying a house. They appreciate the history of the area and found a 1915 house that they love. They live there with a rescue dog and three rescue cats. Laura finds the whole Eastern Shore an undiscovered gem in many ways. In their free time, they enjoy kayaking, hiking, and fishing on their boat.

“Cambridge reminds me of Baltimore in a way,” remarked Laura. “I happen to really love Baltimore. Of course, it has its problems, but it also has lots of character. It is what it is. I like that.”

Laura explained how politics factor into the arts. “When you get administrations that don’t recognize the need for the arts, budgets tend to get tighter. When we had the crash, a lot of small companies went under. Politics and the economy are all intertwined. That’s why I diversify and do a lot of different things—sometimes for private donors, sometimes government, etc.” Laura also teaches different stone restoration methods and mold making, usually to small groups or for companies who want their employees to learn a specific technique.

“I plan to keep working as long as my body holds out,” Laura stated. “My work is rewarding. I love what I do. Not everyone can say that.”

Laura can be contacted here.

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