I have just reviewed the postings by Don(LO18553), Bill(LO18580)and
Rol(LO18391 and LO18587) and my reply is as follows:
I would tend to agree with Rol on this statement - Caring about someone is
a neccessary prerequisite to being a really good manager. As a value and
a postulate. However, I would find many who would disagree on the grounds
of definition of good manager. Does absence of nurturant behaviour mean
the opposite of good - a bad manager?, etc.
In my context, I could not grasp the meaning of Bills quote from Rupert
Lay -"to find out if managers are ethical ask them the names of the
children of their employees". Does this mean, a manager who knows the
childrens names of employees (among others is a caring manager) and vice
versa.
My personal experience is that caring is best practiced by love in the
organisational context. It is extremely difficult to keep focussed but the
attempt is the best teacher of gaining mastery, over intent and emotions.
As a human it seems virtually impossible to attain any level of competence
in the practice of love in organisational setting.
Love is being patient and kind. Not jealous, concieted or proud. Not ill
mannered or selfish. Not irritable. Does not keep record of wrong. Not
happy with evil but happy with truth. Never gives up. Whenever I have been
able to practice this with reference to an individual, I have always felt
better and probably effective in the long run. Yet the flesh is weak.
Thomas P Benjamin
benjamin@fac.irm.ernet.in
Thomas P Benjamin
Institute of Rural Management, Anand
PB No. 60, Anand 388 001 India
E-Mail: benjamin@fac.irm.ernet.in
Voice:02692 40186/40181(o) 40603(R)
Fax: 02692 40188
Telex: 0172-242 IRMA IN
visit:http://irma.irm.ernet.in
--"Thomas Benjamin" <benjamin@fac.irm.ernet.in>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>