Online Learning

Online learning facilitates the ability of the “student” to practically (and immediately) apply their learning to their lives, since most choose online learning for the convenience of being able to facilitate a part-time or full-time job with their continued education.

Christian Education

A Christian educational foundation is far reaching, since education is a part of every aspect of life and Christian ethics are the quiet influence of all beneficial humanitarian accomplishment. Furthermore, the bedrock of our Country’s greatness is due to the Christian and Theistic principles applied in our founding documents. With this in mind - how important to further “Christian based Education.”

Leadership Degree

I am currently seeking a Bachelor of Science with a major in Organizational Leadership (Focus on Leadership) and minor in Psychology, since both fields are intimately intertwined. Furthermore, this will aid me in better facilitating personal growth within myself and those whom I have the privilege to be an influence to.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Altruism Beats Narcissism to the Punch!

The greatest meaning in life can be found by individuals discovering that the greatest happiness and purpose springs from a life given to and for others – i.e. altruistic and/or servant-leadership. This has most recently been underlined by the research and work of Dr. Seligman (2011) from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Seligman has been on the cutting-edge of creating a psychology which is dually proactive as well as reactive. Consequently, a greater life of happiness can be achieved by training our minds to operate and think in patterns which ultimately enrich our perspective rather than taint them.

Furthermore, at the root of this proactive or ‘positive psychology’ is the necessity of putting other people ahead of yourself. Seligman (2011) states, “When asked what, in two words or fewer, positive psychology is about, Christopher Peterson, one of its founders, replied, ‘other people’… other people are the best antidote to the downs of life and the single most reliable up” (p. 20). Consequently, teaching and/or learning servant-leadership is maintain the cutting-edge on what modern psychology is telling us about our psychological make-up – we were wired to altruistic… to have a higher purpose than ourselves alone.

With this understanding, Poon’s (2006) work on the dynamics and importance of mentor/mentoree relationships is underlined, since both depend upon the other creating an environment which ultimately reciprocates personal growth – i.e. an action of service to the other. Frankl underlines this himself by stating that, “personal meaning always points, and is directed, to something, someone, other than itself – be it a meaning to fulfill or another human being to encounter” (Poon, 2006, p. 6).

Furthermore, it isn’t any wonder that this type of behavior is rooted in love – a perfect love in its purest form. A love which does not insist on its own way but rather concerns itself for the wellbeing and fairness of the others involved. Turner states, “I have found that servant leadership organizations attract…. people who are motivated by the enduring power of love. In decision making, the first question any servant leader should make is, ‘what is the loving thing to do?’” (Poon, 2006, p. 6).

Quinn (2004) discusses this ‘love’ dynamic as well. He states, “Authentic engagement [a precursor to authentic leadership] means being engaged in the world of action with love for what we are doing. That love usually comes from increased integrity. To increase integrity is to live a more principled life, to be more virtuous, to be a more authentic or real person” (p. 113). Even though the love he first mentions is directed towards the ‘work’ – it is no coincidence that this ‘love’ is ultimately found in the very characteristics which represent love towards others (i.e. being virtuous & authenticity). This research rings with the sentiments of the golden rule and furthermore is quickly recognized as representing the Judeo-Christian philosophy of ‘loving your neighbor as yourself.’

For the practicing Christian or Jew, it is clearly seen that the core biblical principles of individual’s being representative of God’s love towards man is uncanny. This is exactly the effect that this reading has had on me –it has solidified my understanding and responsibility to serve my fellow man from a heart of love – a love which pushes all of us on to a greater excellence.

Reference

Poon, Randy. (2006). A Model for Servant-Leadership, Self-Efficacy, and Mentorship. Retrieved November 25, 2011 from: http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/sl_proceedings/2006/poon.pdf

Quinn, Robert E. (2004). Building the Bridge as You Walk on It. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.

Seligman, Martin E.P. (2011). Flourish. New York, NY: Free Press.

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