Towards “enmissioning”

It is relatively easy to imagine, to envision a desired future or state of ourselves, our organization, or even society. We have an idea of “what could be”.

However, it is harder to “enmission”, to put to life and action how our strengths and talents can serve others. To dedicate ourselves to “what ought to be” and perform good actions for goodness’ sake.

It requires a sober understanding of our past tendencies and weaknesses and a realistic yet optimistic view of our limitless potential. It is a balance of humility and hope; unafraid to act but mindful (and heartful) of the relevant context.

I always ask my students, “What are your strengths? What is your key skill?” And oftentimes, they struggle to answer concretely. They talk about passion, but passion is ultimately fickle.

Enmissioning requires a person to understand one’s talents and a certain “goodness” that one yearns to manifest. And that journey is iterative. I dabbled frustratingly in social entrepreneurship, nonprofit work, e-commerce, consumer goods, market research, and consultancy anchored on my skill to write, insight, and learn. These numerous past experiments led me to the academe, and so far, I feel that my mission is to be here. I feel that my writing and insighting skills are always challenged while also being an enabler for others to flourish.

In an uncertain context, overemphasizing long-term visions might not be practical anymore – to envision. It might be more worthwhile to “enmission”, that is, to constantly reflect on one’s strengths and purpose and find spaces where one can translate potential into action.

Maybe, teaching students to “enmission” is the next step for management education that is truly humanistic and sustainability-oriented.

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20. The mission and the return of the seventy-two

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 184: JULY 3, 2022]

Towards a more reasonable kind of mercy

Practically, the problem with letting mercy be the default is that non-repentant wrongdoers may abuse the kindness of the merciful. However, we can draw inspiration from how mercy is always presented with justice; as if they are two sides of the same coin. The rational mind is to justice as the emotional heart is to mercy.

What I like about how Jesus manifests mercy is that it is done to enliven the benevolent spirit underlying traditions and norms, which unfortunately may have been more oppressive and discriminatory rather than emancipating and liberating. The Pharisees and the hypocrites settle on technicalities and traditions that disable tax collectors (which are defaultly seen in a negative light) from becoming better persons.

In a way, mercy in this context corrects the injustices stemming from misinterpretations or misapplications of traditions. Moreover, mercy in this context actually enables justice and fairness, in a way that provides opportunities for the truly repentant (but burdened with negative reputations) to turn over a new leaf.

Thus, the challenge for us is not merely to view mercy through the lens of emotional pity. There is potential to synthesize both the rational and emotional in imbibing a more reasonable kind of mercy that enables flourishing.

Justice and mercy are indeed two sides of the same coin, in the same way that our mind and heart are two sides of our person.

Matthew 9:9-13. I desire mercy

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 182: JULY 1, 2022]

Foundations need not be perfect, but predisposed to excellence

The mortal enemy of the overthinker and a perfectionist is not starting at all. In a way, the choice of Jesus to build His Church with St. Peter as the rock can provide insights on how we should view excellence and perfection.

Overthinking perfection can paralyze a person. But the wisdom we need is to determine when a certain work or action is sufficient to be called good or even high quality, as well as designing work or action or a system in a way that it could be corrected.

The comforting thing about excellence is that it is not about getting it right right away. Excellence is a journey. And as I begin to grade my students’ works, I reflect again on the meaning of “4.0” or being excellent and exemplary.

Hopefully the learning activities in my courses have become opportunities for me and my students to reflect and rethink and experiment. So that when I give 4.0, it does not suppose to mean “I think you’re perfect already”, but rather, “you’ve demonstrated excellence through iteratively correcting your work, and hence, I’m confident you can do it again outside the course”.

Ever since my birthday, I have been more fixated with what “becoming” means. It is uncomfortable to think that no human state is permanent, therefore, there’s no such thing as “perfection”. But there are infinite opportunities to self-correct, to experiment, to try again.

Isn’t that more romantic and more attainable to think about? The infinite opportunities to be a better version. The infinite opportunities for rebirth.

Matthew 16:13-19. Upon this rock I will build my Church

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 180: JUNE 29, 2022]

Complying with versus following the leader

If we define spirituality in terms of acknowledging the meaning and purpose that transcend us, then our practice of spirituality is in essence a sharing of ourselves with others. Self-with-others.

Thus, to follow a leader out of fear is merely compliance, and is not fully authentic.

But to follow a leader because we are inspired is not merely compliance. Rather, it points to a sense of meaning, purpose, and spirituality, where we realize that our mission is not selfish but self-with-others.

In this way, a full and authentic performance of “followership” is as meaningful as “leadership”. To follow does not mean to be a slave to a dictator nor a fanatic to a cultic god. Rather, it is an exercise of our personal responsibility towards flourishing – that we commit to supporting a role model who spiritually inspires us.

Matthew 8:18-22. Follow me

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 178: JUNE 27, 2022]

Never entitled and always in the process of earning and becoming

The moment we feel we are entitled is the moment we pause from flourishing. Isn’t it a better mindset that we are always earning another’s trust or respect?

The greatest leaders are those who think they are always in a process of becoming a leader, never taking their peers or followers for granted. And maybe to be a great human is not to think one has “arrived”, but rather, to think that one is always in a process of becoming, arriving, and flourishing.

Matthew 8:5-17. I am not worthy to have you under my roof…

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 176: JUNE 25, 2022]