Quality of processes

It’s easy to hyperfocus on outcomes regardless of the quality of processes.

A beginner guitarist, in trying to bite more than they can chew, may pull-off an acceptable sounding riff but develop bad habits.

A basketball player may think that as long as the shot goes in the shooting form is good. However, they may develop bad form.

Managing the attainment of outcomes and designing quality processes is like a dance. It’s good to be clear with the target outcomes, but it is very important to not shortchange processes and habit formation.

John 10:1-10. He that enters not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbs up another way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-120: APRIL 30, 2023]

Pursuing spiritual nourishment

The pursuit of spiritual nourishment is a lifelong journey that extends beyond the boundaries of individual practices such as prayer or meditation. It involves engaging in meaningful actions and devoting ourselves to something greater than our own personal needs and desires. Both the thrill and the challenge of this journey lie in aligning our individual missions with those of a team, organization, or even a broader community.

To operationalize spiritual nourishment from a critical realist perspective, one must consider it as something that emerges from authentic and meaningful interactions between humans within the context of a Higher Power. These interactions give rise to a sense of connectedness, purpose, and shared values that transcends our individual identities and unites us in the pursuit of something greater.

Perhaps what makes spiritual nourishment truly lasting and fulfilling is the recognition that it is less about achieving a specific state and more about engaging in an ongoing process. This process, akin to a virtuous cycle, seamlessly integrates the act of spiritual growth and the pursuit of a higher purpose, making them feel like one entity. In this way, the journey of spiritual nourishment becomes an integral part of our lives, providing us with a sense of direction, meaning, and belonging.

John 6:52-59. Whoever eats my Flesh and drinks my Blood remains in me and I in him.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-118: APRIL 28, 2023]

Hangry for food for the soul

My wife has developed this sixth sense where she can tell if I’m hangry (hungry + angry). Or maybe it is obvious to her, but to me it is not immediately so.

She’ll notice that I am more irritable and impatient. But to me, I feel… Normal? Or I’m not able to catch myself changing my mood right away.

And maybe that’s the thing with feeling hangry – we are not our best because we lack something essential. We are not at peace.

The challenge is that we can be not only physically hangry, but also mentally, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually. If we are not mindful, our hangry-ness in these dimensions of our well-being can become lasting. How tragic would it be if our entire personality is just about being hangry all the time?

We need food for the soul, and it’s not something we can easily order at a click of a button. It is something we find, marinate, and cook for ourselves.

John 6:35-40. Jesus said to the crowds: I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall not hunger: and he that believes in me shall never thirst.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-116: APRIL 26, 2023]

Beliefs in the beginning and in the end

I listened to an episode of the Flow Research Collective Radio and Steven Kotler talked about how beliefs filter how we see the world. Our thoughts and acts may reinforce or reject the initial belief.

As a synthesis of both reason and faith, beliefs are powerful. But personal beliefs should not necessarily always be hills we’re willing to die for; we must be open to testing them and refining them.

John 6:22-29. They said therefore unto him: What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? Jesus answered and said to them: This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-114: APRIL 24, 2023]

Blissful when we don’t know, fearful when we know little, faithful when we know more

The journey of gaining knowledge and insights can be characterized by three emotions: blissful ignorance, fear of the unknown, and faith in our growing understanding. These represent our emotional reactions as we learn and develop our comprehension of the world around us.

Blissful ignorance is the state of not knowing, where we remain unaffected by the complexities of life. In this stage, we are often uninformed about potential dangers and risks, allowing us to maintain a sense of peace and tranquility. However, this bliss is fleeting, as it can give way to uncertainty once we start to gain some knowledge. This bliss is also inauthentic, for we have not ventured into a journey of insighting.

As we learn more – both insights and misconceptions – we can become fearful of the unknown. This fear arises from the realization that there is still so much we don’t understand. This can also be brought by our mispercepti9ns and misinterpretations. We might start to worry about making mistakes, or feel overwhelmed by the complexities that come with new information.

Gradually, as we acquire more insights, our confidence grows and we become more faithful in our understanding. We begin to know what we know and know what we don’t know. This newfound faith enables us to navigate the world with more certainty, and we develop the capacity and humility to face challenges with resilience and resourcefulness.

John 6:16-21. It is I; be not afraid.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-112: APRIL 22, 2023]