At our grandson’s college graduation this past weekend, I settled into the experience and was forced to examine my long-held beliefs about ceremony and tradition. My younger self avoided traditions, from graduations to weddings. My aversion to ritual and tradition has much to do with people ‘looking at me.’ As a child, I was naturally withdrawn and preferred to be not seen and not heard. I did not have much confidence and wandered for 12 years before I finally achieved a mail-in degree.
Many years later, I embarked on my judicial career and soon learned to appreciate the myriad of traditions that courts’ hold near and dear — Customs in the justice system range from courtroom benches where judge’s hold and execute power. Judges are granted their judicial authority by election or appointment, and the ceremonial investiture that follows.
Court staff or court officers swear in witnesses attesting to their agreement, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. We hope this oath has an impact on truth-telling.
We stand when the judge enters the courtroom, and wait to hear the pounding of the gavel as a court is dismissed.
This past Saturday, sitting ensconced in the hills surrounding Corvallis, Oregon, my husband and I bore witness to this milestone event. We stood and honored the awarding of diplomas. We stood and applauded the students embarking on a military career, and those veterans sprinkled through the stadium seating. And, with a hand over heart, we respectfully listened to the singing of our national anthem. Pomp and circumstance – absolutely, and thankfully, for I was full of gratitude as our grandson, Cam accepted his degree, along with the other 7,000 students swimming in the sea of pride.
Organizationally, it is vitally important for leaders to learn the traditions and ceremonies (informally and formally) that inform the culture. Before running off to fine-tune efficiencies, I encourage leaders to seek understanding, history, and context. Asking why we do something and listening to the story is the highest respect a new leader can gift to those who need enduring and predictable rituals. Yes, in the long term, perhaps a long-held tradition needs to be revisited but asking why we do this should be the first step.
