Mini Review of The Soul of a Leader by Margaret Benefiel

If you're new to The Daily Saint, then I refer you to my own sense of call.  I'm passionate about doing work better, smarter and with greater passion.  I do this by integrating my own faith with my daily schedule.  Simple as that.

Unfortunately, there are few others who have made this niche their own.  That is of course until you've stumbled onto the work of Margaret Benefiel.

Benefiel's first book, Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership In Organizations, was an insightful look at the qualities that make organizations about more than just the bottom line.  In the follow up, The Soul of a Leader: Finding Your Path to Success and Fulfillment, (Crossroad Publishing, 2008) Benefiel captures a similar spirit but hones in on the role of the persons who move the organization forward.

The author's point is crucial before one can even look at the mechanics, for lack of a better word, of soulful leadership.  "The past decade has witnessed scandal after scandal: in business, in nonprofits, in religious institutions.  This world of scandals desperately needs leaders with soul."  To the degree that a leader can activate the spiritual component of his/her leadership, the results will be dramatically positive.

Benefiel articulates several key leanings for the soulful leader to be attentive to, including Following the Heart, Finding Partners, Daring to Dream, and Keeping Mission at the Fore.  I found her final chapter, "Finding Spiritual Guidance" to be particularly on target as she deals with the ancient benefit of spiritual direction.

I think that one of the most enduring themes of the book is the primacy of keeping work human in whatever organization one finds himself.  When we just see our labor as a means to an end, we can lose sight of those with whom we serve.   As Benefiel states, "Every human being feels overworked and underappreciated at times.  Likewise, everyone, in the press of busyness and stress, forgets to thank those whose work makes theirs possible."

I recommend that you pick up a copy of Margaret Benefiel's newest book and while you're at it, check out the many helpful articles available on her website.  Here's to soulful leadership in your life as well...

Introducing the Theological Virtue of Hope

It's amazing how something small can boost your spirits.  My wife and I have an annual tradition of watching the HGTV dream home presentation on New Year's Day.  Something so small captures a bit of our attention and makes that one day somehow more memorable.

There might be small milestones in a given week that, in and of themselves add a bit of encouragement to your schedule.  A family might gather each Friday for popcorn and a movie.  A single person might visit with friends each Wednesday for breakfast before work.  Ordinary events that can add something helpful to any given week.

INTRODUCING THE THEOLOGICAL VIRTUE OF HOPE

The Christian tradition has long held that three main virtues rule over all the rest- faith, hope and love.  St. Paul, in 1st Corinthians 13:1-13 even gives his thesis on love.  Who can forget Robert DeNiro in The Mission who recites these same verses as a symbol of his changing life.

There's just something about hope which instills positive vibes, even in a community that has been down of late.  I recently met a man who serves on the board of trustees at a prominent high school in Manhattan.  He told me how the board had spent nearly two years on a head of school search process.  Nearing the end, the community can sense that something good- someone good- is about to bring the community to a higher place.

Just this past week, I knew that a sample copy of Margaret Benefiel's new book was in the mail.  When Soul of a Leader arrived in the mail, my waiting (my hope) came to fruition.  Hope's follow through now rests in my own reading of what is sure to become a classic for faith-and-work folks everywhere.

THREE STEPS TOWARD GREATER HOPE

How can you insert more hope into a given week?  First, I would inventory what you currently look forward to each week. Take note and enjoy that simple thing.  For years, I would visit a Dunkin Donuts on my way to work- but only on Tuesdays.  That ordinary, mundane ritual added a little something into my busy schedule.  Whether it's a special meal, a simple habit or a place you like to visit, practice that routine over and over again.  It's adding hope to your spirit and to your schedule.

Second, I think that it's a good idea to pray for an increase in hope. Ask the Lord to cultivate more positive energy in your life and more things to look forward to in your calendar.  Remember what Dale Carnegie said about hope, "Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

Third and finally, consider each struggle as an opportunity to grow in hope. What's going badly right now that you can let God step into?  What communication gap is causing you to be stressed?  It could be that your stress and struggle is just what God needs to inject hope and optimism.  The next time you are about to blow your stack or utter a cuss word, take a breath and let hope carry the day.  Or at least the moment.

Here's to a hopeful week.

*Photo by Cobalt123

The New Daily Saint Faith and Work Blog

Some new things are on the horizon for The Daily Saint.  As the site has gone through maturations over the past two years, Easter Sunday is the perfect time to announce a new blog.  The them is new and fresh but more importantly, the content is more lazer-focused than ever before.

You'll still find productivity tips but my passion has changed in the last year.  A little less focus on tools and tricks and more of a sense of the meaning and value of work.  As the Benedictines practice the ancient formula of "ora et labora" or prayer and work, so The Daily Saint blog will focus more on the intersection of faith and work.

The blog will now focus more on the spiritual side of work.  As I'm a Christian and Roman Catholic, I'll be hilighting the best of my own tradition while bringing out the best of the business world as it relates to faith and work.

So get ready and enjoy the ride.  New things ahead.

*photo by Kool Skatkat

How to Make Your Work Abundantly Nice

Sure, the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.  But it still needs to be mowed.  The teachers that I've worked with in the last ten years occasionally get the itch to look elsewhere.  Sometimes it is the right move, based on one's family situation or even financial benefits to another environment.

But there are no perfect workplaces as we all know. After the initial honeymoon wears off, the true colors of those with whom you work do show and the deep reality of work sets in.  You still have to get up early and occasionally stay late.  Sacrifices will always need to be made.  Conflicts will arise.

So, as I told a friend this past week, you have ultimately three options for those times when you get frustrated:

  • Stay put and learn to work within the system

  • Move on and hope to find a better system

  • Become the boss so that you can steer the system according to your own preferences


For those who choose the first option, there is a temptation to "settle" and lose what broader vision once existed in your career path.  We all know folks like these who have not only settled, they've stagnated and become the kind of establishment that most of us would rather avoid.

On the flip side, when you learn to accept the foibles of those around you - the very system in which you find yourself, there are other benefits.  Here are but a few ways to avoid settling but still appreciate your workplace:

  1. Focus on others but make sure they're the right ones. Don't focus on the downers around you or those who always complain.  Rather, see your work as a ministry where you are at service to the team, the clients or those that are bettered as a result of your organization.

  2. Increase life outside of work.  It sounds strange, but the more valuable your life is outside of work, the more you're able to cope with the oddities inside work. If I didn't have a loving wife and great kids to come home to at night, I would have lost it long ago. In other words- get a life.  When those around you complain, just look forward to the exciting vacation that you have planned or the latest APP that you'll be adding to your new iPhone.  It's that simple.

  3. Look around to gain context. Check out the papers. Drive by another workplace.  Heck, even go through the process of applying for another job.  The point is this- unless you've looked elsewhere and tasted from the menu, the food you're cooking will always seem bland.  Chances are, your current situation might not be that bad after all.

  4. Become a person of prayer.  When the day begins with prayer or a kind of journaling that promotes deeper reflection, the daily grind will not seem to difficult.  It's not that faith in God makes all of life's problems go away.  It doesn't.  The thing about nurturing one's spirit is that God is invited into the daily grind, working mysteriously through those around you and giving you ways to serve them better.


Photo by Elventear

How to Let Your Virtue be Influential

How do you measure influence at work or in your social circle?  It might be by the size of your home or the car you drive.  It might be by your title.  Or, it just might be measured by the scope of your virtue.

Blessed Charles de Foucauld, (19th century Frenchman who inspired the founding of the Little Brothers and Sisters of Jesus) once wrote, "There is always work to be done by example, goodness and prayer...by the gentle influence of virtue rather than advice."

These words of wisdom touch each of us where we are at.  For the mother at home with small children, her example of patience and love is a testimony of virtue.  Kids pick up on these things- and eventually mymic them.  Or, take the top-flight CEO who tries to practice honesty and integrity.  When the deal comes across his desk that just smells of something fishy, he will do the right thing- and people will be watching.

All of us can be a person of profound virtuous influence.  Who will your virtue influence today?