Capstone: Apl Prac & Princ Ldg

4.1 One Anothering Devotional Part 4

Getting Started

During the orientation for new Ph.D. students in our Department of Leadership Studies, we discuss the challenging feedback they will receive during their coursework. Faculty provide extensive feedback on content, critical thinking, credibility, writing skills, research, and other relevant considerations. When one receives feedback (for academic work or elsewhere), it can be difficult to see or hear words suggesting that work could be improved.

During the orientation, we raise the future scenario: you will choose your perspective as you read feedback. For example, do you think your faculty are trying to hurt or help? (They are trying to help!). Are they trying to be mean or doing something meaningful (meaningful!)? Are they trying to inflict harm or do good (good!)? We encourage our doctoral students always to presume that their faculty is “out for the student’s good.”

For this devotional, we’ll look at the next “one anothering” principle – Seek good for one another.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Articulate the relational element of leadership in community.

Background Information

Access the drop-down below to read or listen to 1 Thessalonians 5:12–15.

1 Thessalonians 5:12–15

Several items in this workshop’s Bible passage relate to getting along with others.

· Verse 12 – care/love for others; admonishing others (in care/love)

· Verse 13 – hold others in high regard; live in peace

· Verse 14 – encourage the disheartened; help the weak; be patient

In particular, verse 15 addresses a challenge that each of us likely faces at one time or another. Do we seek revenge or pay back wrong for wrong, or do we always try to do good for others, even if they have hurt us? Our natural human inclination is often to “give back” or “get back” at another for what they’ve done. In both personal relationships and overall organizational dynamics, if our main effort is to pay back for wrongs, a lot of disharmony and dysfunction will result. Organizational culture will be very unhealthy.

In contrast, the passage suggests something different. That is, it advises us to adopt different, fundamental programming. Instead of giving wrong for wrong, we are always encouraged to do what is good for others. The golden rule is often articulated as  do unto others as you want to be done to you. Sometimes we hear about the platinum rule:  do unto others as they would want you to do to them. In other words – do good for one another.

Instructions

1. Read or listen to the Bible Passage noted in the Background section. 

2. Review information in the Getting Started and Background sections. 

3. Consider the following thought starters: 

a. How have you experienced challenges operating by the principle – always do good for others? 

b. How have you experienced others who always seemed to want to do good for you? (or not!)

c. How have you witnessed leaders or organizations through the lenses of payback wrongs versus always doing good for another?

d. What is one leadership theme, principle, practice, or source that you studied in the program that you can relate to the do good for others principle? 

e. What lessons can you deduce from your experiences and reflection to help you in your current and future leadership roles? In your personal development? In your spiritual development? 

4. After reading and reviewing this information, write and submit a half-page reflection paper (Word document) that shares your thoughts/perspectives on the themes of this devotional.  You do not need to answer each of the thought prompts. Rather, reflect on the questions and then compose a thoughtful response.