Is there an equation we may not know about that could change the world? There is. An unexplored equation of leadership frames the creative, purpose-driven energy of all organized systems, however they are functioning—whether they may be physical, mental, or spiritual.
We know that because our leading equation is the human relations counterpart of Einstein’s universal law of creativity known by its famous E=mc2 formula—for the power of energy, mass and light—that has long been tested and verified in a multitude of experimental circumstances as the force multiplier of creativity.
The impetus or power of such leadership sets the limits of action by the people who are involved, and the buildup of the momentum they generate. When we consider such an impetus as the “I” of leadership, we find that it is equivalent to the action or “a” in which these people are engaged as it is multiplied by the square of their unified momentum or “m2”.
Now we have identified the equation as “I=am2.” And that’s when it becomes clear, as the equation is completed, that what can be taken as “me” actually becomes “we”. A leader needs a following, starting with one or more collaborating partners.
These dynamics lead to an IMPETUS of creative energy. This impetus of leadership stimulates a diversity of ACTIONS by individual people that forms into a center of gravity and grows into a critical mass. As this mass reaches a tipping point, these people become a unifying body of supporters who multiply as a chain reaction of MOMENTUM. And this momentum, then, accelerates at a sustaining speed which demonstrates the power of its original center of gravity that has formed around its leadership.
As the human relations counterpart of Einstein’s E=mc2, I=am2 is derived from this iconic symbol of his theory of relativity which he originated as a theory of invariance because it demonstrated an unchanging relationship of energy, mass, and light as its universal constants. In I=am2, the constant of impetus is its energy, the constant of action becomes its mass, and the constant of momentum moves at the square of light speed.
The “I” of Impetus starts with a “me”. That leads to a “we” of “am2” representing the “a” of action and the “m2” of momentum. This acts as a force multiplier that has an elevated effect in forming a group of any size or complexity. The equation of leadership shows that this “am2” multiplier effect is the equivalent of the impetus “I” that drives it. The multiplier effect—even at its highest degree—cannot exceed the impetus that generated it. Therefore, the creative energy of the impetus defines the limit of the energy-in-motion that follows it.
So, I=am2 defines our humanity. In 1637 Rene Descartes had a remarkably profound thought. “I think, therefore, I am,” he imagined, or “cogito ergo sum” as it is known in the vernacular. In thinking, we encounter our humanity.
As a person of faith, this idea would have underscored his belief that he, along with every other human being, is a child of God, the great “I AM”, as the story of Exodus in holy scripture describes it. All of us, he must have thought, would need to elevate our thinking to carry out our responsibilities to ourselves and God, the Father and Mother of us all, and the creative energy of the universe, to help make the world a better place.
When we apply the I=am2 architecture to the process of leadership, we meet up with the requirements of mission, strategy, and the accomplishment of leadership. They correspond with the input of impetus “I”, the throughput of action “a”, and the output of momentum “m2”.
The prime mission and principal input for Americans today is tied to the economic growth that leads to prosperity for all, especially those who are not experiencing it now. Working class and middle income wages have stagnated while higher incomes have risen significantly. The political anger that has arisen is, therefore, not surprising.
The grand strategy and ongoing throughput for Americans today is the mutual security that leads to public safety and well-being for all, especially those who are insecure and fearful, and most of all, in their own neighborhoods. Their indifference to participation in civic responsibilities is not surprising.
The public leadership and significant output for Americans today is national governability that is working well for citizens in general. The leadership that is perceived and felt by substantial numbers of the population must be addressed by all those who can make themselves heard. Their engagement will make a difference in the impetus of future leadership that converts the action of single persons into the unified momentum of many people. That’s what leads to democracy at work for “We the People…to form a more perfect Union.”
Promise America Alliance 