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Technicalities should not get in the way of insight

Technicalities should not get in the way of insight

Technicalities are important in the sense that they provide structure and consistency. However, if we become obsessed with technical details, we risk losing sight of deeper insight. The creative process requires room for exploration, intuition, and serendipity that exists beyond the realm of technicalities. If we focus only on minutiae and convention, we may miss opportunities for innovation.

Or worse, the technicalities might prevent the flourishing they are meant to promote.

Matthew 12:1-8. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “See, your disciples are doing what is unlawful to do on the sabbath.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-202: JULY 21, 2023]

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Who do we rest with?

Who do we rest with?

We yearn for rest in this demanding life. We find it with people who listen – those who meet us with humility, not ego.

People who listen fully and gently, focused on understanding us, not judging. Their open ears invite our trust. Their kind empathy offers balm.

In the presence of true listeners, our souls quiet. We exhale. We are heard. We matter.

The humble art of listening gifts us rest. In the sanctuary of being deeply listened to, we find respite. We know we are not alone.

Matthew 11:28-30. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-201: JULY 20, 2023]

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Aren’t children the most authentic?

Aren’t children the most authentic?

Children’s blunt honesty often fades as we grow up. Unbothered by self-awareness, kids openly share feelings and speak their minds. Their play is spontaneous and imaginative. Children live in the moment, not worried about past or future.

This realness can seem rude or clumsy, but is also admirable. As adults we filter thoughts and words through what’s socially acceptable and practical. We hold back excitement, curiosity, and vulnerability. While often needed, this can dull our energy.

Sometimes it’s okay to drop our guards, nurture our inner kid, and be as authentic as children.

Matthew 11:25-27. For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-200: JULY 19, 2023]

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Getting away with it

Getting away with it

I wonder: is our society and organizations structured to reward those who can “get away with it” for the longest possible time? In a span of a few decades, we have seen so many corporate and political scandals that seem to just repeat themselves, only repackaged by new buzzwords or technology.

We have made passing accountability to certain “entities” an artform in itself. Need an excuse for poor performance? Blame the pandemic. Need an excuse to layoff workers? Blame AI.

But behind organizational and political decisions are humans.

Teams and organizations can be resilient and weather the pandemic storm. Workers can add more value by co-creating with AI tools, not being replaced by AI.

The sad thing is, trying to be resilient and attempting to co-create are not convenient things to do. And we are suckers for convenience.

Matthew 11:20-24. Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-199: JULY 18, 2023]

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Pabigat versus bayanihan

Pabigat versus bayanihan

In Filipino, we have a term for those who are freeloaders and are merely being carried by the group – “pabigat”.

Yet, we also have a term for our own version of solidarity and being each other’s stewards – “bayanihan”.

Notice that when we help each other, our crosses and those that we help carry become lighter compared to when we merely carry our respective crosses alone?

Matthew 10:34-11:1. Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-198: JULY 17, 2023]

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Interiority

Interiority

We are called not only to pay attention to what we experience, but also to pay attention to how we arrive at insights, validate them, and act on them. This is what is called “interiority”, and this is what we aim to assess when we make our students practice first-person tools.

In a world where it’s easy to go on autopilot and merely react to what we see, being able to exercise mindfulness and authenticity becomes a premium.

Matthew 13:1-23. This is why I speak to them in parables, because they look but do not see and hear but do not listen or understand.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-197: JULY 16, 2023]

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Standing on the shoulders of giants

Standing on the shoulders of giants

When we allow our students and mentees to flourish, we become giants ourselves who allow them to see and be far more when they started. And the greatest fulfillment is when the students become like their teachers, allowing others to stand on their shoulders.

Matthew 10:24-33. It is enough for the disciple that he become like his teacher…

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-196: JULY 15, 2023]

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Know the dirty tricks of the game not to cheat, but to defend ourselves

Know the dirty tricks of the game not to cheat, but to defend ourselves

In my high school years when I was more active in playing basketball, I learned how important it is to be mindful of dirty tricks and situations where dirty players may injure others. We need to learn how to protect ourselves so that we can better focus on attaining our goals.

However, we must be careful, for the moment we resort to dirty tricks ourselves is the moment we distract ourselves from what truly matters.

Matthew 10:16-23. Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-195: JULY 14, 2023]

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Be careful what we monetize

Be careful what we monetize

Not all things are meant to be quantified nor monetized. If we’re not careful, we might be sacrificing our own constant peace for a taste of a fleeting and illusory reward.

Matthew 10:7-15. Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-194: JULY 13, 2023]

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Housekeeping

Housekeeping

Before we can go out and fulfill our mission in a way that influences more people beyond our immediate sphere, we must first make sure that our own house or community is in order.

As a new father, this realization is something made more intimate to me.

Matthew 10:1-7. “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-193: JULY 12, 2023]

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