Meaningful Work

In "The Congruent Life", C. Michael Thompson noted that, given the choice of retirement or the opportunity to work in any field they choose, that less than two percent of people surveyed said they would retire (2000).  Gini and Sullivan also noted that "Although the majority would prefer some other job to the one they had now, the overwhelming conclusion is that work in general is sufficiently important to us that we want it to be a part of our lives" (1989).  

How would you have answered this survey?  I believe that I would have said that while I love my job, there are so many more avenues that I would like to explore within my field of expertise.       

Cited: 

Gini, A. (1989). It comes with the territory: an inquiry concerning work and the person. New York: Random House.

Thompson, C. M. (2000). The Great Divorce. The congruent life: following the inward path to fulfilling work and inspired leadership (p. 25). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Dateline - Servant Leadership & the Power of Faith

The following video is worth a watch, religious or not...I am currently taking a grad school course that is taught by Mr. Spears (interviewed in the video)...great stuff, I promise.

The Journey To The East ~ A short literary review

by Jody South

I am always interested to hear from others about books that have either changed their lives or inspired them. I recently read "The Journey To The East" by Herman Hesse.  I can see how this short book inspired Robert Greenleaf to write about servant leadership.  Throughout the book, H.H. speaks of giving his life meaning (p.62, etc.).

Leo, played an essential role in the development of H.H.  To illustrate, on Page 34, Leo reminds H.H. of The League's Law of Service which states, "He who wishes to live long must serve, but he who wishes to rule does not live long." to which H.H. replies, "Then why do so many strive to rule?"...Leo: "Because they do not understand.  There are few who are born to be masters; they remain happy and healthy.  But all the others who have only become masters through endeavor, end in nothing."  

It was interesting so follow the parabola of H.H's life from his adventures with The League through his deep depression derived from Leo leaving the group...to his eventual reconciliation with his order.  This self-transcendence allowed him to once again consider himself as an integral part of the universe.

Cited: Hesse, H., & Rosner, H. (2003). The journey to the East. New York: Picador.