If we view situations based only on our perspective, we don’t allow others to grow

It’s easy to only see things from our own perspective. When something happens, our first instinct is often to react based on how it makes us feel, without considering how others might view the situation. But if we never try to understand other perspectives, we hinder our own growth and prevent others from growing as well.

If we’re able to create spaces where we let each other view situations from everyone’s perspective, we enable flourishing. We become greater than the individual sum of the members of our community.

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John 20:1-2, 11-18. Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.

[DAILY GOSPEL INSIGHTS AND REFLECTION FOR MANAGEMENT AND ORGANIZATION 2023-203: JULY 22, 2023]

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.

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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]

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.

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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]

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.

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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]

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.

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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]