Redeeming Work: The Individual-Part 2

The second of a four-episode series on redeeming work discusses the importance of loving people we work with and for while highlighting the fundamental key of the spiritual dimension. 

The social aspect of our jobs is arguably the most important as it leads directly to more of the fruits of flourishing (three--meaning, positive relationships, and positive emotions) than loving our jobs for their own sake does (a single fruit--accomplishment).  The impact that our work has on people is increasingly indirect due to the digital world, and thus we need to become more mindful and seek to tangibly connect with those we are serving and working with.

The spiritual dimension with its virtues and intrinsic spiritual practices is key to enabling us to love our work and those people in it.  The virtue of selfless love is fundamental to loving others for their own sake.  The virtue of hope brings about an optimism in our work that can become contagious leading to the joy filled workplaces we all desire.  The spiritual practices of prayer, mindfulness, and gratitude all positively impact our human flourishing and need to be incorporated throughout our workday.

References

Flourish by Dr. Martin E. P. Seligman

The 5 Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman is a very helpful book to understanding how people feel love.  Dr. Chapman’s website has a variety of good resources.

Colin L. Powell’s 13 rules of leadership I think are fundamentally rules for life as well.

A Time to Build by Yuval Levin is a key read for understanding the healthy role that our institutions should play while he convincingly argues that our current institutions are not healthy which is adversely affecting our society.  An NPR interview hits the high points of his book. 

David Brooks article The Moral Bucket List published in the New York Times is an important tonic to “the culture of the Big Me” and a call to look to and serve others. 

Praxis’ A Rule of Life for Redemptive Entrepreneurs is a memorable and practical guide that can help us redeem our work.

E-mail for comments and questions at: Rootsofflourishing@gmail.com