Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 1:01am
Discernment
Column: Executive Soul
Studies show that half of managerial decisions fail. Discernment is a practice that can help leaders make better decisions.
Early Christians blended Aristotle, the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament as they began to articulate their understanding of spiritual discernment. The desert fathers and mothers developed teachings on discernment, which later were systematized by monks like John Cassian (d. 435) and John Climacus (d. 649). Ignatius of Loyola (d. 1556) wrote the first long treatise on discernment, which subsequently became the strongest influence on Christian discernment, though many other Christians, such as Carmelites and Quakers, also developed strong discernment traditions.
Analogues to the Christian discernment process also occur in other traditions. In the Buddhist tradition, the Buddha teaches "the importance of opening the eye of Dharma, allowing one to see things just as they are." According to the yogic traditions, past actions "cloud a person's ability to see the world clearly; the practices of yoga purify a person's karma, allowing one to see things as they are." The Sioux tradition refers to the "eye of the Great Spirit" enlightening one's heart so that one might "see everything" and through this vision help one's neighbor. In Sufi understanding, after initiation into the Sufi path the dervish continues the journey according to the principle of La ilaha ilallah, called the sword of light because of its power in dispelling illusion and revealing truth.
Because discernment has been most fully articulated in the Christian tradition, this column provides an exposition of the practice in Christian language. At the same time, it is important to note that a similar exposition could be provided in the language of other traditions.
In Christian understanding, discernment occurs in the larger context of God's love. God's loving care envelops all, making no distinction between the secular and the sacred. Discernment is about hearing God's call in the midst of where one serves, whatever the context, knowing that God is active even in the midst of the messiest of situations. Hearing God's call and responding to God results in freedom — freedom from the need to please others, freedom from attachment to personal gain. As one hears God's voice in the midst of the cacophony of voices all around, both internal and external, one moves into ever greater freedom.
Over the years, Christians have articulated specific guidelines for practicing discernment: for preparation, for recognizing impediments to discernment, for the practice of discernment itself. Guidelines for the preparation phase include nurturing a trusting attitude toward God, learning to listen prayerfully, familiarity with Scripture, humility, and patience. Widely recognized impediments to discernment include self-interest, self-absorption, self-righteousness, desire for security, attachment to a particular outcome, and desire for certainty. The discernment process itself requires maintaining an open and reflective attitude, an ability to listen to where God might be speaking (including through unexpected people and events), patience in waiting for God's answer; an ability to live with ambiguity, and a willingness to test the discernment by its fruits.
How does all of this relate to leaders? Leaders face many pressures each day. A cacophony of voices surrounds them. They live in the midst of endless busy-ness and uncompleted to-do lists. People look to them for answers to complex problems for which the leaders lack adequate understanding and problem-solving skills.
Given that half of the typical American leader's decisions fail, how can discernment help? Leaders who practice discernment show a marked improvement in decision-making.
(To be continued in Part 2.)
— — —
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations" (from which this column is drawn), works with leaders in business, healthcare and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. Copyright 2007 by Margaret Benefiel.
Early Christians blended Aristotle, the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament as they began to articulate their understanding of spiritual discernment. The desert fathers and mothers developed teachings on discernment, which later were systematized by monks like John Cassian (d. 435) and John Climacus (d. 649). Ignatius of Loyola (d. 1556) wrote the first long treatise on discernment, which subsequently became the strongest influence on Christian discernment, though many other Christians, such as Carmelites and Quakers, also developed strong discernment traditions.
Analogues to the Christian discernment process also occur in other traditions. In the Buddhist tradition, the Buddha teaches "the importance of opening the eye of Dharma, allowing one to see things just as they are." According to the yogic traditions, past actions "cloud a person's ability to see the world clearly; the practices of yoga purify a person's karma, allowing one to see things as they are." The Sioux tradition refers to the "eye of the Great Spirit" enlightening one's heart so that one might "see everything" and through this vision help one's neighbor. In Sufi understanding, after initiation into the Sufi path the dervish continues the journey according to the principle of La ilaha ilallah, called the sword of light because of its power in dispelling illusion and revealing truth.
Because discernment has been most fully articulated in the Christian tradition, this column provides an exposition of the practice in Christian language. At the same time, it is important to note that a similar exposition could be provided in the language of other traditions.
In Christian understanding, discernment occurs in the larger context of God's love. God's loving care envelops all, making no distinction between the secular and the sacred. Discernment is about hearing God's call in the midst of where one serves, whatever the context, knowing that God is active even in the midst of the messiest of situations. Hearing God's call and responding to God results in freedom — freedom from the need to please others, freedom from attachment to personal gain. As one hears God's voice in the midst of the cacophony of voices all around, both internal and external, one moves into ever greater freedom.
Over the years, Christians have articulated specific guidelines for practicing discernment: for preparation, for recognizing impediments to discernment, for the practice of discernment itself. Guidelines for the preparation phase include nurturing a trusting attitude toward God, learning to listen prayerfully, familiarity with Scripture, humility, and patience. Widely recognized impediments to discernment include self-interest, self-absorption, self-righteousness, desire for security, attachment to a particular outcome, and desire for certainty. The discernment process itself requires maintaining an open and reflective attitude, an ability to listen to where God might be speaking (including through unexpected people and events), patience in waiting for God's answer; an ability to live with ambiguity, and a willingness to test the discernment by its fruits.
How does all of this relate to leaders? Leaders face many pressures each day. A cacophony of voices surrounds them. They live in the midst of endless busy-ness and uncompleted to-do lists. People look to them for answers to complex problems for which the leaders lack adequate understanding and problem-solving skills.
Given that half of the typical American leader's decisions fail, how can discernment help? Leaders who practice discernment show a marked improvement in decision-making.
(To be continued in Part 2.)
— — —
Margaret Benefiel, Ph.D., author of "Soul at Work: Spiritual Leadership in Organizations" (from which this column is drawn), works with leaders in business, healthcare and non-profits to help them develop spiritual leadership. Visit her website at www.ExecutiveSoul.com. Copyright 2007 by Margaret Benefiel.