Thursday, August 27, 2020

God Grew tired of us Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

God Grew wore out on us - Essay Example Indeed, even as the film has practical experience in this specific memorable frequency, it appeals to comparable misery looked by blameless regular people in other African nations because of political aftermath and relentless fighting. As they diligently endeavor to persevere through or possibly endure the misery, trust is apparently lost alongside confidence and the guarantee of more promising times. Written in their countenances are diaries of despondency, wretchedness, and destruction. They admire God just He is apparently missing or oblivious of their predicament. Indeed, even as all expectation appears to be lost, there seems, by all accounts, to be some expectation in mankind as saw in the activities of well-wishers and the philanthropic help offered by Red Cross and the UN. The escaping men discovered some respite as the mass migration took a temporary re-route traveling south into Kenya’s Kakuma displaced person camp. As one of the most exceedingly terrible helpful emergencies in the Horn of Africa, the departure from Sudan offers different points of view on the job of humankind and how our activities have results on others. Love, empathy, and benevolence might be lost on a few of us however it despite everything runs profound among an energetic minority of

Saturday, August 22, 2020

Legal Environment Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Lawful Environment Analysis - Essay Example London lodgings produced day by day benefit - communicated as salary before fixed charges (IBFC) - of 47.75 per accessible room contrasted with 57.46 that month a year sooner. (Hospitality Trends, 2009) Although the patterns in the neighborliness business at the degrees of the inn networks are not palatable the organization will be the piece of the little firms which contains 99% of the UK business network. The travel industry of UK contains 127,000 organizations in which 80% of the organizations have a turnover of 250,000 pounds for each annum. The London viewpoint by business portion has likewise been overhauled since the Q4 2007 Hotel Market Outlook report when it was normal that the extravagance market would lead the segment in 2008. The model presently proposes that the mid-advertise area will be the leader, seeing revPAR development of 7.3% during the, prior year falling back to 4.2% in 2009 (Hotel Market Outlook, 2008). The fundamental wellspring of upper hand in administratio ns industry is effective help for the clients. Flexibly chain assumes a significant job in the proficient help arrangement to the clients. The objective of a gracefully chain ought to be to expand by and large flexibly chain productivity. Flexibly chain productivity is the contrast between the income created from the client and the complete expense brought about over all phases of the gracefully chain. Flexibly chain choices largy affect the achievement or disappointment of each firm since they fundamentally impact both the income created just as the expense caused. Fruitful flexibly chains oversee streams of item, data, and assets to give a significant level of item accessibility to the client while minimizing expenses. (Chopra and Meindl, 2004; 44) The organization will likewise utilize the equivalent serious strategy so as to stay up to date with the difficulties presented because of the elevated level of rivalry in the market. Industry Categories or sorts of foundation Lodgings: These are the most sumptuous arrangement of accommodation administrations (counting meeting and banqueting), resort, financial plan and quaint little inn. Bars, bars and dance club: These are the overseen houses where mixed refreshments are sold. Agreement food specialist co-ops: These friendliness organizations offer types of assistance, for example, schools or emergency clinic providing food arrangement; food and drink and offices the board at various associations. They likewise offer types of assistance, for example, housekeeping cloth and security. Friendliness administrations organizations: These organizations offer help to the arrangement of in house food and drink. They can be retailers or neighborhood specialists. Eateries: Restaurants are the most well known class of the cordiality business found in UK. These incorporate the Fast food foundations, bistros and cafés, standard eateries and top notch food. The proposed business will have a place with a similar classification. The neighborliness business will be an eatery with Oriental topic. Explanation behind

Friday, August 21, 2020

Using Researches Paper Outline

Using Researches Paper OutlineThe Researches Paper Outline is one of the most important aspects of a Researches student's academic life. As it is vital that they should get this document right, it is very important for them to follow all the instructions in the Researches Paper Outline which can help them improve their level of academics.The Researches Paper Outline is not only useful for your academic life but also for your personal life. This is because these outlines are very essential to ensure that you follow the correct steps in your academic life and it will help you in achieving your dream of becoming a top scholar in the classroom. It will help you in attaining your aspiration as you go through the most difficult of situations.The Researches Paper Outline should be used with a lot of focus and diligence in order to achieve success in all your academic life. This is the reason why it is extremely important for you to get the Researches Paper Outline done regularly. It is not only very important for you to follow the guidelines in the Researches Paper Outline but also for you to follow the right steps in getting the best grades. This will allow you to get all the benefits that are associated with academic life.The Academic Handbook for Students must be followed so that you do not end up in any situation where you lose your place in your academic life. The Academic Handbook will help you identify the wrong reasons and helps you get rid of them. You will have to commit yourself to studying for the above purpose if you want to succeed in your academic life.The Researches Paper Outline is a very good method of keeping your mind clear while you are studying. The Research Paper Outline has been designed in such a way that it helps you see what you need to study at a particular point of time. All you need to do is to decide the things that you need to study.A lot of students choose to use Research Paper Outlines and they are confident that they can learn from i t. The research paper outlines are easy to understand and the Researches Paper Outline guides you through the whole process of learning. In order to learn new things, it is important that you see what you need to do and how you should do it.There are many online sources available to you in order to learn new skills. You can use these online resources and the Researches Paper Outline to help you learn the things that you need to learn. It is very important for you to follow the Researches Paper Outline and get the best out of it.One of the most important aspects of your academic life is the Researches Paper Outline. The Researches Paper Outline is very important because it helps you in committing yourself to the right things and at the same time you can focus on the right things in your academic life. When you have the Researches Paper Outline, it is very easy for you to ensure that you are going to get the best out of all the requirements that are associated with your academic life.

Monday, May 25, 2020

Sex Education Is The Teaching Of Issues - 1048 Words

Sex education is the teaching of issues relating to human sexuality and behavior, including anatomy, reproduction, health relationships, responsibilities, abstinence, and birth control. This information can be taught by parents or guardians, provided by school programs or public health organizations and campaigns. Sex education also develops young people s skills so that they can make the most informed choices when it comes to their behavior, and feel confident enough and competent about acting on choices. It is widely accepted across the United States that young people have a right to sex education. This is only because this by any means help to protect the children against abuse, any exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually†¦show more content†¦Scaring them with information that has been study should be making them intimidated and hope to get everyone’s attention. Health reformers in 1800s used sex education manuals to conduct the notion that the ideal type of manhood which is tied to self control meaning (no masturbation). When sex education is being taught it should be effective which it gives opportunities for young people to develop skills. It can definitely be hard for them to act on the basis of only having the information. The knowledge which the young people develop part of sex education are not only linked to general life skills. The effective part of sex education also helps develop young people s skills when it comes to decision-making, assertion and listening. A few things that are being taught are Abstinence-Only which teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for teenagers. Abstinence Only Until marriage that â€Å"teaches abstinence as the only morally correct option of sexual expression for unmarried young people. Abstinence Plus Programs which teach information about contraception and condoms in the context of strong abstinence messages.Comprehensive sexuality education teaches about abstinence as the best method for avoiding STDs and unintended pregnan cy, but also teaches about condoms and contraception to reduce the risk

Friday, May 15, 2020

Essay on Elderly Drivers - 1416 Words

â€Å"An eighty-six year old man killed ten people and injured more than seventy when he drove his Buick into a crowded farmers market in California. In Florida, an eighty-four year old woman drove her car through a window of a Sears and into a cash register and employee† (Murphy). Sadly enough, instances like these are becoming more and more prevalent and require immediate action. It is imperative that a more comprehensive approach be taken when deciding the competence of elderly drivers. Laws must be put into action to mandate and administer testing and re-examining of the skills and eligibility of this group. Equally important, we must consider those who will no longer be able to drive, and ensure their transportation and occupational needs†¦show more content†¦Older adults are thus slower in receiving information through sensory receptors, slower in transmitting, processing, and interpreting information, and are slower in acting upon it† (Shulman, Silverman, Golden). Additionally, many elderly people experience side effects from prescription medications and are not even aware of it. A report conducted by AAA determined that â€Å"prescription medications pose a threat to traffic safety, with only twenty-eight percent of seniors fifty-five or older aware of the potential impact those drugs can have on their driving† (Many Elderly Drivers). For example, some medicines commonly taken for anxiety or insomnia can cause confusion, drowsiness, decreased motor skills, and impaired memory† (Reutter). The Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported, â€Å"elderly citizens made up nine percent of the residential population, but accounted for fourteen percent of all traffic fatalities, and caused seventeen percent of all pedestrian fatalities† (qtd. Murphy). These numbers are particularly frightening now because the U.S. Census Bureau projects that there will be â€Å"9.6 million people aged eighty-five and older by 2030: up seventy-t hree percent from today† (Older Americans). â€Å"Road safety analysts predict that by 2030, when all baby boomers are at least sixty-five, they will be responsible for twenty-five percent of all crashes† (Davis DeBarros). Lawmakers have acknowledged this issue. However, it isShow MoreRelatedElderly Drivers On The Road939 Words   |  4 Pagesoutrageous or even a bit absurd. It could also be a fair comparison to the state of some of the elderly drivers on the road today. Elderly drivers should have additional requirements when renewing their driver’s licenses because statics show that elderly drivers are the cause of an increasing number of wrecks. Nevertheless, several arguments against additional requirements and testing for elderly drivers exist. If additional testing and requirements would help save lives, in my opinion, there shouldRead MoreElderly Drivers Informational Essay1178 Words   |  5 Pagesextremely important issue that the public should unders tand more about due to its enormous impact on many citizens. This issue pertains to the safety concern surrounding the elderly while operating a motor vehicle past the age of 70 years old. This debate whether old people should be allowed to drive is often brought up by younger drivers, the reality is that all able bodied people who are physically and mentally healthy should be able to drive but as we grow older it is inevitable that our health willRead MoreElderly Drivers1273 Words   |  6 Pagesfingers at young drivers in today’s world. A number of accidents are caused by teens though I believe a worse threat is starting to appear. This threat being elderly drivers over the age of 70. These elderly drivers could be considered dangerous due to their decline in sensory. With more elderly drivers increasing over the years, drivers everywhere could be in danger. Within the next 20 years the number of elderly drivers is expected to triple in the United States (Older Drivers). To combat thisRead MoreElderly Drivers684 Words   |  3 PagesElderly Drivers on the Road Elderly Drivers on the Road One thing that’s just as dangerous as a young and jittery, under-aged driver without any previous driving experience or perhaps even an intoxicated driver raging aggressively through numerous traffic lights is the thought of a vision impaired, elderly man or woman cruising nonchalantly through the wrong lane of traffic or driving 50 mph on a major highway. Due to the continuous trend of our older generation engaging in traffic accidentsRead MoreElderly Drivers833 Words   |  4 Pages2. There has been talk about banning elderly driving off the road in recent years. Some people suggest that the elderly should reapply for driving licenses. Elderly driver usually have loss of hearing, diminished vision, and slower reaction time. Elderly driver should reapply for driver’s license once they grow old because accidents and fatalities could be reduced by two folds. Since many of the accidents come from elderly drivers, fewer accidents would likely happen at all. There are certainRead MoreThe Safety Of Elderly Drivers1825 Words   |  8 Pageshave been described in the media where an elderly driver had been driving and people passed away as a result of a car accident. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), elderly drivers have higher rates of fatal crashes, based on miles driven, than any other group except young drivers, the high death rate can be explained due to older peoples frail health- older people are less likely to survive an injury than younger people. Elderly driver’s accidents have started the discussionRead MoreA Short Story : The Story Of The Story1011 Words   |  5 Pageswalked in silence until theyve reached Kyokos ride.The driver (a man in his fifties dressed in a tuxedo) rushes out and opens the door for her.DriverMy apologies, mlady, I didnt know you didnt have bring an umbrella.  KYOKOIts fine.The driver then turns towards Luke and bows.DRIVERThank you, young man, I could offer you a r ide home after I drop off Miss Otonashi.LUKENo thanks, I can manage that myself.Luke waves goodbye as the Driver quickly gets back into the Maybach and drives off.KYOKOYouRead MoreSenior Citizens Behind the Wheel Essay600 Words   |  3 Pagespotential dangers elderly drivers present when operating a vehicle. Mental and physical capabilities begin to decline as a person ages. When their health deteriorates, the well being of other individuals on the road is at stake. Many elderly drivers should not drive due to their medical history and the fact that they might suffer from possible side effects from taking multiple prescription medicines. In addition, local organizations and neighbors can provide transportation for the elderly to keep themRead MoreSenior Citizens Driiving1577 Words   |  6 Pagescontinually increasing, there are more and more elderly drivers on the roads. In fact, the total annual miles older drivers traveled climbed twenty nine percent from 1995 to 2001 (â₠¬Å"Should elderly†) and that number is probably even greater now. This can cause a huge problem not only for the elderly drivers themselves, but for other people on the road too. As the body ages, reaction rate, hearing, and vision naturally decline which makes an aging driver much more susceptible to driving accidents andRead MoreDriving Test At The Age Of 16845 Words   |  4 Pagesattentive as it once was when they were younger. Also, their memory of the rules of the road has undoubtedly deteriorated. Senior adults who are still driving on the road who have not been assessed in over sixty to seventy years are a hazard to all drivers. Senior adults must be tested on a regular basis so that optimal road safety can be taken one step closer to obtaining. Driving is an activity that takes place in the majority of the population’s life every day. Adding constricting regulations on

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Human And Natural Climate Change - 1485 Words

Have you ever wondered what could possibly be causing the change in our temperature? This essay delves into the meaning of climate change along with the human and natural processes that alter the globes atmospheric temperatures over a long period of time. It includes various mechanisms and feedbacks, the history of climatic change, human roles/impacts, as well as my own position on the subject. Natural Climate Change The focus of this section is to explore natural climate change- which occurs without any human influence. These natural processes have been around for thousands of years and still operate and influence the planet today despite the presence of human beings. These changes have occurred over multiple timescales and will continue to alter our climatic temperatures in the future. There is no single cause of the switch in climatic changes as many factors affect the atmospheric temperatures. Changes can occur slowly or operate very quickly over a shorter time span and either resulted due to external or internal factors. External factors include any change in solar radiation, asteroid impacts, slow movement of continents or tectonic processes. Internal factors are those within the earth itself, such as ice-albedo feedback or increases in volcanic activity. Along with these various mechanisms, there are also positive or negative feedback. Positive feedback means that it amplifies the initial change. It does not necessarily mean it is warming nor does it mean it isShow MoreRelatedHuman And Natural Drivers Of Climate Change1732 Words   |  7 PagesClimate Change in relation to Architecture Tallis Holloway - s5015034 There are many human and natural drivers of climate change, cities and buildings in particular are increasingly affected by risks linked to rapid environmental changes and their impact themselves on the atmosphere however architect s can help limit many contributing factors. This paper examines the role of this profession, architecture s contribution to climate change mitigation/adaption and how architect s can assist in limitingRead MoreThe Effects Of Climate Change On Human And Natural Systems Essay1487 Words   |  6 PagesCarbon Sequestration The rapid change in our climate due to anthropogenic forces has caused the Earth’s average temperature to rise to an unparalleled level in human history. The amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, as well as the cyclical processes of the Earth and Sun, affect the warming of our oceans and atmosphere. Although processes other than anthropogenic practices modify the climate, our influence on the climate since the Industrial Revolution has been unmatched. According to theRead MoreDifference Between Anthropogenic Climate Change And Natural Climate Variability1444 Words   |  6 PagesDifference between Anthropogenic Climate Change, and Natural Climate Variability. Hugonette Theron Geography: Climatology 28662334 â€Æ' Table of Content Introduction 1.) Natural Climate Variability 1.1. Extensive Definition of Natural Climate Variability 1.2. Causes of Natural Climate Variability 2.) Anthropogenic Climate Change 2.1. Detailed Definition of Anthropogenic Climate Change 2.2. Causes of Anthropogenic Climate Change 2.3. Impact of Human Activities on the Climate Change Conclusion â€Æ' IntroductionRead MoreClimate Change : Causes And Effects934 Words   |  4 Pages Climate Change Paper Kaitlyn Yinger 4-17-15 Erin Reese Biology 122: 10:30-12:45 Climate Change What really causes climate change? Is it human cause or is a natural process that is happening? I think that us as humans contribute more to climate change then natural causes. Human Causes Humans affect climate change in different ways, three main ways that humans caused climate change is deforestation, greenhouse gases and Agriculture. Deforestation causes change to the landscapeRead MoreWhat Role Has Human Activity Played in Causing Climate Change?678 Words   |  3 PagesThe change in global climate is the most powerful problem that currently occurs on the earth. The problems of climate change may be caused by both of human activities and natural events. Climate change is the changes that affect the world’s weather, including shifts in temperature, ocean level, land, and precipitation. The climate change phenomenon can affect everything in the world not only natural environment, but also human society, and the world economy. This essay aims to evaluate the role ofRead MoreThe Effects Of Global Warming On Our Planet s Ecosystem1173 Words   |  5 PagesMother Earth is burning as we speak; humanity has killed our precious Earth. Global-warming is a vicious ki ller that was created by the humans on this Earth, and there s no way to cure it. We, as humans, have the power to cleanse the Earth, but instead we destroy it. Heat is absorbed by carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. A greenhouse gas absorbs thermal radiation emitted by the Earth s surface. As the sun s energy reaches the Earth’s surface, some of it is released into space, some is absorbedRead MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment1734 Words   |  7 Pagesalternative routes or ability to make change. In consort with President Obama, many scientists believe the point of no return could occur if significant efforts aren’t made soon. Anthropogenic (human influenced) activities in comparison to natural influences have more of an impact on the environment. Since the industrial era carbon concentrations in the atmosphere have increased by thirty percent. The burning of fossil fuels and deforestation are the two largest human caused contributors to high carbonR ead MoreClimate Change : The Greenhouse Effect1199 Words   |  5 Pagesexistence, climate change has occurred. Temperatures, sea levels, quantities of gases in the atmosphere, and levels of precipitation have risen and fallen over a span of billions of years. However, over the last two centuries, climate change has been far too drastic to be caused by natural forces alone. Globally, the alterations in temperatures, sea levels, precipitation, melting of ice caps and glaciers, and violence of natural disasters are clearly caused by another factor, in addition to natural climateRead MoreHuman Activity And Climate Change1252 Words   |  6 Pagesdefine climate change as â€Å"change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g. using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and/or the variability of its properties, and that persists for an extended period, typically decades or longer. It refers to any change in climate over time, whether due to natural variability or as a result of human activity† ( â€Å"Observed†). In today’s society, there are various opinions over whether humans are contributing to climate change or if natural causesRead MoreClimate Change Is Our Fault922 Words   |  4 PagesClimate Change is Our Fault The truth is earth is heating up and it is partially humans fault. The simplest of human activities can alter the climates to change. Humans are not the only climate drivers. There are also natural factors (â€Å"How Much Does Human Activity Affect Climate Change?†). The earth is changing due to the climate changes . For future generations the earth may perhaps look different (Nuccitelli). Human activity is advancing global climate change rapidly. Humans are the main factor

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Disaster Policy and Politics-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Briefing paper based on the given scenario and can also add some references from the internet related to this. Answer: Introduction A potential earthquake shook the East and West of the coastal regions of Republic of Avengers on Sunday 5th of January 2020 at around 03:58 hours. It has affected the livelihood of the people living in the region resulting to a huge loss of life and property. The potentiality of the earthquake was estimated to be 7.1 on the Richter scale. A second earthquake affected the region at 6.5 Richter scale at 05:21 hours after the impact. It has afflicted a terrible blow on the livelihood of the people living in the regions. The report is focused on understanding the different situation that is faced by the people as a result of the earthquake and thereby produce a briefing paper based on the primary investigations. On the other hand, it helps in determining the after-effects of the earthquake and the recommended actions that might be taken by the government in order to provide aid to the afflicted inhabitants of the region. Situational report The earthquake has affected the densely populated area of Gotham Province affecting the lives of the people. Reports confirmed that some 60% of the villages of the Gotham province is affected through the atrocities of the earthquake. The village and the household properties of the individuals and the State are destroyed through the earthquake that has affected the regions which falls near the epicenters of the earthquakes. It is estimated that over 3,550 people got killed as an impact of the earthquake and some 25,000 homes and public property got destroyed. The death toll is still rising as the hospital and the healthcare facilities are unable to access the remote villages where the impact was huge. The reported injuries were around 7450 people in all the villages and there are people trapped under the debris. It has affected the mortality range of the region fatally. The earthquake triggered massive landslides at Smalville and Nathan, which again affected the livelihood of the peop le living at the region. The available healthcare facilities of the region are also destroyed though the earthquake that affected the region. The after effects of the earthquake left the people unaided by the healthcare facilities. On the other hand, the region has only one hospital, which is left crowded with the afflicted victims of the impact. It is estimated that some 1,500 people are admitted top the hospital and several more are at the waiting list. It has affected the mortality rate of the people in the region. The catastrophic situation has affected the livelihood of the people and snatched away their properties. On the other hand, the government offices and the other business centre were found emerged in the debris. It has affected the business and the trade of the region. Situational analysis According to Sylves (2014), the after effects of the disaster is based on the infliction of diseases that affects the livelihood of the people. In this case, too, diarrhea and other infections like cholera, dysentery and the like have affected the health of the people who have faced the impact. The sanitation and hygiene of the region is being compromised through the impact of the earthquake. It has affected the livelihood of the people and thereby reduced the standards. Some populations in the remote regions have been reported to be affected by diseases that have cost the lives of the people living in the region. Smalville Village has a concern with the water pipeline, which used to provide water to the community there. However, the earthquake has disrupted the pipeline and affected the only source of the fresh water that could be retrieved by the communities in the region. There are television podcasts that portrayed the chaos in Smalville as the inhabitants of the area was portrayed to be fleeing the region as a rumor of tsunami shook the place. However, the rumor was stopped awhile at its initial stage through the weather forecast that were undertaken by the news media that there are no chances of a tsunami that could have been triggered through the earthquake. The survivors of the fatal earthquake found shelter in the neighborhood villages. It has affected the livelihood of the neighborhood village due to the pressure on the resource use of the region. Some families are reported to build their own tents at the high terrains to keep themselves away from the atrocities of the earthquake. The monsoon weather worsened the situation of the region. It has enhanced the chances of the landslide that might be faced by the region subsequent to the violent earthquake that is being faced by the region. The weather condition has brought about deterioration in th e situation of the region. Rapid needs assessments The degradation in the health statistics and the worsening of the situation, the president of the nation is taking steps in order to overcome the impact. In order to overcome the impact that is being created through the earthquake, the president has planned to take up certain decisions and thereby send off aid to the afflicted communities. The disaster management steps that are being undertaken by the president in the immediate response of the earthquake are being stated in this section of the report. It will help in the proper understanding of the different management strategies that is being implemented as per the needs of the situation. The President of the Republic of Avengers has engaged the proper functioning of the army to help in evacuating the victims and the panicked citizens. It will help in locating the people who are trapped under the debris. Waugh (2015) stated that the engagement of the well-trained force helps in minimizing the time that is required by the normal people to reach out to the afflicted. Therefore, in this case, the engagement of the Rapid Action Force will be helping in order to rescue the people who are afflicted and deceased by the sudden attack of the earthquake. On the other hand, the proper functioning of the RAP will be helping to ensure the lives of many entrapped citizens. The mobilization of the different forces has helped in undertaking the rescue functions based on the requirements of the people. The engagement of the Provincial and the State governments into the matter has helped in the mobilization of the victims. On the other hand, the involvement of the NGOs has helped in ensuring the supplies of food and medical aids to the victims of the earthquake attack that is being undertaken by the region. Pelling (2012) stated that the proper positioning of the human resource that is willing to work for helping out the distressed people will also be helping in order to maintain the evacuation process. The proper identification of the evacuation process and the involvement of the trained personnel into the matter will be helping in undertaking the efficient functioning of the evacuation. Assigning a team of experts who are well acquainted with the steps that are required to be taken in order to facilitate the proper management of the disaster will be helping in enhancing the functioning based on the plans. Tseng and Chen (2012) stated that the proper understanding of the disaster management is based on the understanding of the severity of the impact and the manner in which it affects the livelihood of the people. Avvenuti et al. (2014) stated that the application of the EARS (earthquake alert and report system) will be helping in keeping the people aware of the atrocities of the earthquake that might affect their livelihood. Understanding the capability of the rescue team and sending out helicopters on a survey will be helping the disaster management team of personnel to track the afflicted regions and the people who are struck in the impact of the earthquake. It has affected the proper functioning of the management of the team members and thereby helps in adding to the effectiveness of the team functions that are being undertaken by the team. The capability of the team has helped in enhancing the understanding of the different factors that affects the functioning of the management team in effectively managing the situation. Conclusion Therefore, from the above situation analysis it can be stated that the proper undertaking of the disaster management helps in managing situations of the crisis more effectively. On the other hand, the proper evaluation of the disaster will be helping the personnel in understanding the situation and the manner in which the proper evacuation activity could be undertaken by the teamwork. On the other hand, the proper functioning of the team depends on the seriousness of the impact. Again, the understanding of the type of attention required by the afflicted victims of the earthquake helps in the determination of the aids and the medical facilities will be helping to support the livelihood of the people who are affected by the outbreak of the impact. The steps that are taken by the government agencies and the NGOs help in determining the proper functioning of the rescue team based on the needs of the victims and the severity of the impact References Avvenuti, M., Cresci, S., Marchetti, A., Meletti, C., Tesconi, M. (2014, August). EARS (earthquake alert and report system): a real time decision support system for earthquake crisis management. InProceedings of the 20th ACM SIGKDD international conference on knowledge discovery and data mining(pp. 1749-1758). ACM. Pelling, M. (2012).The vulnerability of cities: natural disasters and social resilience. Routledge. Sylves, R. (2014).Disaster policy and politics: Emergency management and homeland security. CQ Press. Tseng, C. P., Chen, C. W. (2012). Natural disaster management mechanisms for probabilistic earthquake loss.Natural Hazards,60(3), 1055-1063. Waugh, W. L. (2015).Living with Hazards, Dealing with Disasters: An Introduction to Emergency Management: An Introduction to Emergency Management. Routledge.

Sunday, April 12, 2020

Ethical Leadership its Variations

Abstract Researchers have concentrated efforts to uncovering aspects and conceptions of ethical leadership models that could be used in contemporary organizations to not only ensure leadership effectiveness, but also enhance follower development and realization of organizational goals.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Ethical Leadership its Variations specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In this light, the present analysis contributes to our understanding of one such leadership model known as ethical leadership and its variations, which include servant, spiritual and authentic leadership. The careful and exhaustive comparisons done between these leadership theories and other conventional leadership models such as transformational and charismatic leadership give credence to the fact that leader emphasis on ethical dimensions of leadership generates beneficial personal and organizational outcomes. It has also been demonstrated that value-based leadership projected in servant, spiritual and authentic leadership is predicated on shared, robustly internalized values that are promoted and acted upon by the leader, but which goes a long way to ensure leadership effectiveness, positive organizational outcomes in terms of competencies development and productivity, and follower development. Research into the servant, spiritual and authentic leadership models have demonstrated some shared, common features as well as broad differences. Although these theories may represent a paradigm shift of leadership approaches into the future, more systematic and quantitative research is needed to harmonize the varying conceptions and other grey areas of the theories discussed comprehensively in this paper. Indeed, it has been noted that the popular appeal of these evolving leadership approaches is yet to translate into credible academic respectability. Introduction Despite sustained attention by scholars and practitioners to the wide discipline of leadership, discussions of ethical leadership in public, private and even nonprofit organizations still remains largely anecdotal and highly normative. However, as noted by Rubin, Doedorff Brown (2010), this is not to imply that the study of ethical leadership has been disregarded in its entirety.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More To the contrary, scholars, driven by ethics scandals and subsequent demise of companies like Enron, World-Com, Lehman Brothers and Tyco (Millar, Delves Harris, 2010; Sendjaya et al, 2008), have concentrated efforts to uncovering aspects and conceptions of ethical leadership, contributing to rich, descriptive information on the field (Rubin et al, 2010). The present paper purposes to examine different conceptions of ethical leadership, including servant, spiritual and authentic theories, and to compar e and contrast them with the transformational and charismatic theories with a view to bring into light how these conceptions could be employed to occasion important organizational outcomes. Ethical Leadership: Background Definition Although practitioners and scholars are of the opinion that ethics is the core of leadership (Xiayong, Fen Jiannong, 2011), and while the fundamental importance of leadership – particularly top management – in promoting and sustaining ethical conduct in organizations has long been understood (Brown Mitchell, 2010), it is only in the past decade that ethical leadership has been methodically studied from a descriptive and predictive social scientific perspective (Millar et al, 2010). Earlier studies as noted by Brown Mitchell (2010) looked into the effects of leadership behaviors without developing formalized theoretical conceptions. However, it was not until early 2000s when Trevià ±o and colleagues cited in Brown Mitchell (2010) engage d in the first formal explorations focused on developing an all-encompassing definition of what ethical leadership entails. Their qualitative studies, as demonstrated by these authors, revealed that ethical leaders were best depicted along two interrelated continuums: moral person and moral manager. Later, Brown et al (2005) cited in Xiaoyong et al (2011) further illuminated the conceptualization to develop a formal definition of ethical leadership as â€Å"†¦the demonstration of normatively appropriate conduct through personal actions and interpersonal relationships, and the promotion of such conduct to followers through two-way communication, reinforcement, and decision making† (p. 362). Below, this paper narrows its focus to critically examine three variants of ethical leadership, namely: servant leadership, spiritual leadership, and authentic leadership.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Ethical Leadership its Variations specifically fo r you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Servant Leadership Definition Conceptions Robinson (2009) cited in Waterman (2011) suggests that the phrase ‘servant leadership’ in its contemporary perspective â€Å"†¦was developed by Robert Greenleaf (1977), but the idea can be traced to antiquity and is associated with a range of religious beliefs† (p. 24). Due to modernization of societies, however, the concept of service has evolved from just representing the religious connotation of ‘service to others’ to a leadership approach based on not only showing care and concern for other people (Waterman, 2011), but also demonstrating the desire to build and develop them personally and professionally (Taylor et al, 2007). Holistically, therefore, servant leadership entails â€Å"†¦helping others to accomplish shared objectives by facilitating individual development, empowerment, and collective work that is consistent with the health and long-term welfare of followers† (Yukl, 2009, p. 420). From the systematic review of literature (e.g., Yukl, 2009; Taylor et al, 2007; Sendjaya et al, 2008), several conceptions of servant leadership have crystallized, namely: integrity; altruism; humility; empathy and healing; personal growth; fairness and justice, and; empowerment. Ebener O’Connell (2010) suggest that â€Å"†¦a servant leader begins by acting with integrity, creating supportive relationships, and helping others to grow† (p. 320). As demonstrated by Page Wong (2005), servant leadership is associated with such inner qualities as humility, integrity, fairness, altruism and a servant’s attitude, which are reinforced by the development of a highly moral and spiritual character. Effects of Servant Leadership Available literature demonstrates that organizations are increasingly searching for ethical and effective leadership that not only serve others, but invests in their deve lopment and executes a shared vision (Sendjaya et al, 2008; Page Wong, 2005). According to Ebener O’Connell (2010), â€Å"†¦servant leaders encourage people to go above and beyond their own immediate interests by performing organizational citizenship behaviors [which] are defined as altruistic, prosocial activities that have been shown to enhance organizational performance† (p. 315).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Irving (2005) postulates that servant leadership behaviors are intrinsically correlated to the effectiveness of teams in the realization of shared objectives or goals. Extant research on leadership demonstrates that when team members acknowledge servant leadership, they are bound to appear as whole people and trustworthy professional co-leaders – fundamental ingredients in building effective teams (Ebener O’Connell, 2010). Greenleaf (1977) cited in Sendjaya et al (2008) was of the opinion that â€Å"†¦servant leadership is demonstrated whenever those served by servant leaders are positively transformed in multiple dimensions (e.g. emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually) into servant leaders themselves† (p. 408). This transformation takes place collectively and repeatedly, and in turn, inspires positive changes in individuals, organizations and communities. Research on Servant Leadership Researchers and practitioners have reported a shift in the leadership paradigm for the 21st century (Taylor et al, 2007) from the traditional leadership approaches to an emerging leadership approach that appears more relevant and timely in the present context (Sendjaya et al, 2008). Greenleaf’s (1977) seminal work on servant leadership not only brought the construct to the public discourse in the mid 1970s (Irving, 2005), but also stimulated interest from other researchers who have continued to expand on the topic and to shed light on various conceptions that surround servant leadership (Yukl, 2009). According to Irving (2005), â€Å"†¦the work surrounding servant leadership from the early 1990s through 2003 focused on identifying themes that could help to operationalize the concept of servant leadership† (p. 2). To quote a few of these works, Graham (1991) cited in Irving (2005) stressed the inspirational and moral dimensions of servant leadership, while Buchen (1998) suggested that self-identity, capability for rec iprocity, relationship building, and obsession with the future were fundamental themes of servant leadership. Spears (1998) also cited in Irving (2005) â€Å"†¦emphasized the dimensions of listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment, and community building† (p. 2). Farling et al (1999) cited in Sendjaya et al (2008) argued for the importance of servant leaders to demonstrate vision, influence, service to others, integrity, and trust, while Laub (1999) cited in Irving (2005) put forward the concepts of valuing people, developing people, participating in building community, exhibiting authenticity, providing leadership, and sharing leadership as essential for servant leaders. Limitations of Servant Leadership It has been suggested that although the literature â€Å"†¦on servant leadership have increased in the past few years, there has still been limited research conducted in a systematic, quantitative man ner† (Taylor et al, 2007 p. 415). Indeed, the popular appeal of servant leadership as an evolving leadership approach has not translated into academic respectability, in large part due to the under-representation of the theory in major textbooks on management, leadership and organizational behavior. Due to the lack of a significant research base on servant leadership, Sendjaya et al (2008) postulate that the model is still been faced with vague psychometric properties, which are fundamentally important for further development and validation of the approach. It is also generally felt that many organizations that are perceived to practice servant leadership are hierarchical in nature and, consequently, the power distance between the servant leaders and their followers or other team members may not be conducive to the elements or themes of servant leadership discussed in this paper (Ebener O’Connell, 2010). Spiritual Leadership Definition Conceptions Fry (2003) argues th at â€Å"†¦the purpose of spiritual leadership is to create vision and value congruence across the strategic, empowered team, and individual levels and, ultimately, to foster higher levels of organizational commitment and productivity† (p. 693). Unlike classic organizational, administrative and leadership theories, spiritual leadership can be defined as encompassing the values, attitudes, and behaviors that are perceived as essential to fundamentally motivate people so that they are able to develop a sense of spiritual survival at work through calling and membership (Karadog, 2009). Extant research demonstrates that although the conceptions of spiritual leadership are many and varied (Carter, 2009), they revolve around the issues of spiritual beliefs (e.g., hope and faith in God); transcendence of self, manifesting in an active sense of calling or destiny; engagement in spiritual practices (e.g., praying, meditating, and reading scripture), and; conviction that an indivi dual’s activities have meaning and value beyond the immediate economic benefits or self-gratification (Ferguson Miliman, 2008). Consequently, this paper will utilize one construct proposed by Fry (2003) cited in Freeman (2011), which â€Å"†¦explains spirituality in leadership within an intrinsic motivation model that incorporates vision, altruistic love/faith; theories of workplace spirituality and spiritual survival; and the organizational outcomes of commitment and productivity† (p. 122). Research on Spiritual Leadership Fry Matherly (n.d.) are in agreement that â€Å"†¦issues regarding workplace spirituality have been receiving increased attention in the organizational sciences and the implications of workplace spirituality for leadership theory, research, and practice make this a fast growing area of new research and inquiry by scholars† (p. 3). Research has demonstrated that spiritual leadership not only lead to valuable personal results such a s enhanced positive human health and psychological happiness but that it also conveys improved employee satisfaction, loyalty and commitment while reducing instances of absenteeism and turnover (Carter, 2009). Indeed, Kaplan Norton (2004) cited in Fry Matherly (n.d.) argue that â€Å"†¦a high degree of workplace spirituality and spiritual leadership, as a driver of organizational commitment and productivity, is essential to optimizing organizational performance† (p. 3). Consequently, many research studies (e.g., Ferguson Miliman, 2008; Freeman, 2011; Fry Cohen, 2009; Fry Matherly, n.d.) conclude that spiritual leadership basically entails motivating and inspiring employees through a transcendent vision and a culture that is intrinsically grounded on altruistic values to produce a more inspired, satisfied, committed and productive workforce. Limitations of Spiritual Leadership Researchers have identified several major weaknesses that must be addressed for spiritual l eadership to gain acceptance within the scientific community as a newly emerging paradigm. Ferguson Miliman (2008) note that there exist a lack of accepted conceptual definition of what spirituality actually entails, while Fry Cohen (2008) note that there are inadequate measurement tools to evaluate the thematic conceptions of spirituality. Limited theoretical development and legal concerns have also been identified as genuine challenges for the development of a leadership paradigm that is rooted in spirituality (Fry Matherly, n.d.). Authentic Leadership Definition and Conceptions The term authenticity â€Å"†¦implies that one acts in accord with the true self, expressing oneself in ways that are consistent with inner thoughts and feelings† (Avolio Gardner, 2005, p. 320). The recognition of the self-referential nature of authenticity, therefore, is fundamental to comprehending the construct of authentic leadership. Avolio et al (2004) cited in Avolio Gardner (2005) describe authentic leaders as individuals who are profoundly conscious â€Å"†¦of how they think and behave and are perceived by others as being aware of their own and others’ values/moral perspectives, knowledge, and strengths; aware of the context in which they operate; and who are confident, hopeful, optimistic, resilient, and of high moral character† (p. 321). The related conception of authentic leadership is defined by academics as a process that draws from both positive psychological capabilities and a well matured organizational context, which results in both superior self-awareness and self-regulated positive behaviors and actions on the part of leaders and their followers (Avolio Garner, 2005), fostering positive modeling, self-development, and the attainment of sustainable and veritable performance (Rowe Guerrero, 2011; Blausten, 2009). Effects of Authentic Leadership The effects of authentic leadership are many and varied (Blausten, 2009), and include : development of positive psychological capital and positive moral perspective (Rowe Guerrero, 2011); development of leader and follower self-awareness in terms of values, cognitions, and emotions; development of leader and follower self-regulation in terms of internalized behavior, balanced processing, and authentic behavior (Avolio Gardner, 2005); development of leadership processes and behaviors such as positive modeling, personal and social identification, emotional contagion, self determination and positive social exchanges (Sendjaya et al, 2008); follower development, and; veritable and sustainable organizational performance (Rubin et al, 2010). It is also generally felt that authentic leadership institutes open, transparent, trusting and genuine relationships between the leaders and followers. Research on Authentic Leadership A number of scholars have undertaken research on authentic leadership. One of the pioneers of these studies was Bill George, who posited â€Å"†¦that being yourself; being the person you were created to be rather than developing an image or persona of a leader is the way to restore confidence in business organizations after Enron and Arthur Andersen† (Sparrowe, 2005, p. 420). When formulating their model of authentic leadership development, Luthans Avolio (2003) cited in Sparrowe (2005) argue that the kind of leadership that can reinstate confidence from the challenge of declining hope in organizational leaders and their associates is by engaging individuals who are true to themselves, and whose transparency and accountability in either public or private discourse positively transforms or develops the followers into leaders themselves. Limitations of Authentic Leadership While Walumbwa et al (2008) report that it is often difficult to measure some aspects of authentic leadership, Avolio Garner (2005) argue that more research is needed â€Å"†¦on the relationship between authentic leadership and the levels of s elf-awareness of leaders and followers† (p. 334). These authors also report a dearth in research relating to evaluating the direct consequence of the leader’s positive psychological capital on associates and their mediating outcomes on sustained organizational productivity and performance. Similarities Differences of Servant, Spiritual Authentic Approaches of Leadership Research into the three approaches of leadership has demonstrated some shared, common features of the approaches as well as broad differences. Among the similarities, Avolio Gardener (2005) argue that leaders in the three approaches must exhibit positive moral perspective and demonstrate self-awareness in terms of values, cognitions, and emotions. Similarly, all approaches advocate for self-determination, follower self-awareness and follower development (Sendjaya et al, 2008), not mentioning that they share a strong emphasis on the ethical dimension of leadership (Brown Mitchell, 2010). Sendjaya et a l (2008) argue that both the â€Å"†¦servant leadership and Fry’s (2003) spiritual leadership models appeal to virtuous leadership practices and intrinsic motivating factors to cultivate a sense of meaning, purpose, and interconnectedness in the workplace† (p. 404). These authors suggest that both leadership paradigms endeavor to facilitate a holistic, integrated workplace where people engage in significant, meaningful and intrinsically motivating work, and where leadership orientation finds its expression or meaning and purpose of life through service. Indeed, available literature demonstrates that the spiritual leadership’s conceptions of vision, altruistic love, and hope/faith (Fry Matherly, n.d.) are also embedded in the conceptions of servant leadership (Sendjaya et al, 2008; Freeman, 2011). Given the discussed similarities, it would be conceivable to assert that â€Å"†¦servant leadership is embedded in spiritual leadership in that servant lead ership is a manifestation of altruistic love in the action of pursuing transcendent vision and being driven to satisfy needs for calling and membership† (Sendjaya et al, 2008, p. 404). Conversely, it would be equally conceivable to argue that spiritual leadership is grounded on the motivational basis for servant leaders to engage followers in authentic and thoughtful ways that transform their behavioral orientation to be what they are competent of becoming (Freeman, 2011). Sendjaya et al (2008) posit that servant leaders have the capacity to lead authentically since their leadership originates from the ‘being’ as evidenced in their unswerving display of humility, integrity, accountability, security and vulnerability. It is important to note that the causal spiritual leadership model developed by Fry (2003) cited in Sendjaya et al (2008) â€Å"†¦identifies follower needs for spiritual survival as expressed through calling and membership as outcome variables, whereas calling and membership are inherent in servant leadership behaviors† (p. 405). Consequently, it can be argued that spirituality is one of the many facets of servant leadership, but there exist other equally fundamental facets such as self-sacrificial servant-hood behavior, empowerment, collective work, and moral values that are not evidently expressed in many spiritual leadership models (Sendjaya et al, 2008). It has been observed that a critical aspect of spiritual leadership is the need to be authentic, hence the relationship between spiritual leadership and authentic leadership. Spiritual leadership is also related to servant leadership in that it intrinsically focuses on â€Å"†¦serving others and emphasizing the development of people† (Ferguson Milliman, 2008, p. 448). Among the differences, Avolio Garner (2005) notes that internalized self regulation is demonstrated in both spiritual and authentic leadership, while authentic behavior is demonstrated in servant as well as authentic leadership, but not in spiritual leadership. Equally, it can be argued that spirituality is a significant source of motivation for servant leaders but is not highlighted in the authentic leadership model (Sendjaya et al, 2008). Personal and social identification on the part of the leader is present in authentic leadership but vaguely demonstrated in both servant and spiritual leadership. Equally, positive social exchange is clearly outlined as a conception of authentic leadership but not for spiritual and servant leadership (Avolio Gardner, 2005). The conception of follower self-awareness in terms of cognitions and emotions is clearly outlined in both authentic and spiritual leadership, but is not considered in the servant leadership. Lastly, it has been noted in the literature that the conception of relational transparency is carried with much weight in authentic leadership but not in the other two leadership approaches (Avolio Gardner, 2005) Comp aring the Approaches with Transformational Charismatic Theories Defining Transformational Leadership Burns (1978) cited in Sagnak (2010) defined transformational leadership as moral leadership, where â€Å"†¦leaders and followers further take each other’s motivation and morality to higher levels† (p. 1137). Bass (1985) also cited in Sagnak (2010) further advanced the transformational leadership approach to include the aspects of idealized influence (charisma) on the part of the leader, inspirational motivation, self-fulfillment, intellectual simulation, self-actualization, and personalized consideration. A transformational leader, according to Engelbrecht et al (2005), aims to fundamentally alter the values, beliefs and attitudes of followers. Defining Charismatic Leadership Weber (1947) cited in Fry (2003) defined charismatic leadership as any approach that demonstrates: strong desire to influence others; ability to act as a role model for the beliefs and values that followers need to adopt; ability to articulate ideological goals with moral overtones; ability to communicate high expectations and demonstrate confidence in followers’ abilities to meet and surpass these expectations; ability to arouse task-relevant motivation by tapping followers’ needs for esteem, power, and affiliation, and; ability to link the identity of followers (employees) to the collective identity of the organization. A Discussion of the Similarities Differences Leadership scholars have often asserted that servant leadership is somewhat similar to transformational leadership in that â€Å"†¦both approaches encourage leaders and followers to raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality† (Sendjaya et al, 2008, p. 403). However, these authors note that servant leaders are theoretically different from Bass’s (1985) transformational leaders in that not only are servant leaders more likely than transformational leaders to exhibit the natural inclination to serve disadvantaged and marginalized people, but the outcomes of enhanced motivation and commitment demonstrated by transformational leaders â€Å"†¦may not necessarily benefit followers as there is nothing in the transformational leadership model that says that leaders should serve followers for the good of followers† (p. 403). However, it should be noted that as is the case with servant leadership, the transformational leadership model outlined by Burns (1978) cited in Sendjaya et al (2008) required leaders to lead the followers for their own ultimate good. While the role of servant leaders may be seen in the light of serving followers; that of a transformational leader may be perceived in the light of encouraging followers to pursue organizational goals and objectives (Sendjaya et al, 2008). Another distinction closely related to this is that while transformational leadership deals primarily with ‘performance beyond expectatio ns’, servant leadership is fundamentally concerned with entrenching the followers’ holistic moral and ethical development (Taylor et al, 2005). Whetstone (2002) observes that whereas a transformational leader may be instrumental and manipulative in nature, a servant leader is bound to be manipulated by the followers. Taylor et al (2007) suggest that although servant leadership may be perceived as an extension of transformational leadership, it ends up valuing people and treating them as ends rather than means while many transformational theories treats people as means to achieve organizational objectives. However, the authors note that the followers’ emotional attachment to the leader in servant leadership, along with the motivational arousal of followers as an outcome of the leader’s behavior and actions, is fundamentally considered a consequence of transformational leadership. Carter (2009) argues that spiritual leadership shares some convergent element s with transformational leadership in that it is not only linked to social responsibility, integrity and stability, but it shapes the values, beliefs and practices of followers, and provides overall meaning to their own existence. Some central components of both spiritual and transformational leadership theories, according to Sagnak (2010), include the commitment of the manager to a higher cause or purpose and the articulation of meaningful values on a deeper level to organizational members. Additionally, Avolio Gardner (2005) posit that the conception of follower development is a focal component in servant, spiritual, and authentic leadership but is vaguely outlined in transformational and charismatic leadership models. As observed by Avolio Gardner (2005), transformational and authentic leadership are related in that authenticity serves as a moral compass by which the objectives and intentions of transformational leaders can be holistically determined. However, these authors not e that although authentic leadership can encompass all the other leadership approaches (e.g., transformational, charismatic, servant, and spiritual), it may not be charismatic to the extent demonstrated by transformational leadership as authentic leaders must work hard and lead with purpose, meaning and values to build lasting relationship with followers. To the contrary, Sagnak (2010) observes that transformational leaders â€Å"†¦may be charismatic in their opinion of the followers and thereby inspire them; they meet emotional needs of each employee and/or provide intellectual simulation† (p. 1137). This distinction demonstrates that being an authentic leader does not automatically imply that the leader is transformational. Brown Mitchell (2010) posit that â€Å"†¦transformational and charismatic leadership have been studied extensively and the cumulative findings suggest that [they] are positively associated with important ethics-related outcomes such as follow er’s perceptions of trust in fairness of their leader and organizational citizenship behaviors† (p. 586). This therefore implies that these leadership approaches projects similar elements with servant, spiritual and authentic leadership in terms of followers’ trust and organizational citizenship behaviors. Internalized self regulation and personal and social identification are focal components shared by authentic, spiritual, transformational, and charismatic leadership approaches, but are largely absent in servant leadership (Avolio Gardner, 2005). Conclusion This analysis contributes to our understanding of ethical leadership and its different variations, namely servant, spiritual and authentic leadership. The careful comparisons between these leadership theories and other conventional leadership models such as transformational and charismatic leadership give credence to the fact that leader emphasis on ethical dimensions of leadership generates beneficial pers onal and organizational outcomes. It has also been demonstrated that value-based leadership projected in servant, spiritual and authentic leadership is predicated on shared, robustly internalized values that are promoted and acted upon by the leader, but which goes a long way to ensure leadership effectiveness, positive organizational outcomes in terms of competencies development and productivity, and follower development (Fry, 2003). The task, therefore, is for the management of contemporary organizations to select a leadership approach that will articulate a better vision of a better future. Reference List Avolio, B.J., Gardner, W.L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(1), 315-338. Blausten, P. (2009). Can authentic leadership survive the downturn? Business Strategy Review, 20(1), 84-87. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Brown, M.E., Mitchell, M.S. (2010). Ethical and unethical leadership: Exploring new avenues for future research. Business Ethics Quarterly, 20(4), 585-616. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Carter, J. (2009). Transformational leadership and pastoral leader effectiveness. Pastoral Psychology, 58(3), 261-271. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. Ebener, D.R., O’Connell, D.J. (2010). How might servant leadership work? Nonprofit Management Leadership, 20(3), 315-335. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Engelbresht, A.S., Van Aswegen, A.S., Theron, C.C. (2005). The effect of ethical values on transformational leadership and ethical climate in organizations. South African Journal of Business Management, 36(2), 19-26. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Ferguson, J., Miliman, J. (2008). Creating effective core organizational values: A spiritual leadership approach. International Journal of Public Administration, 31(4), 439-459. Freeman, G.T. (2011). Spirituality and servant leadersh ip: A Conceptual model and research proposal. Emerging Leadership Journeys, 4(1), 120-140. Fry, L., Cohen, M. (2009). Spiritual leadership as a paradigm for organizational transformation and recovery from extended work hours cultures. Journal of Business Ethics, 84(2), 265-278. Fry, L.W., Matherly, L.L. (n.d.). Spiritual leadership and organizational performance: An exploratory study. Retrieved from https://www.tarleton.edu/home/. Irving, J.A. (2005). Servant leadership and the effectiveness of teams. Unpublished Doctoral Dissertation, Regent University. Retrieved from http://people.bethel.edu/~irvjus/PDF/Irving,Justin-RegentUniversity_final.pdf. Karadog, E. (2009). Spiritual leadership and organizational culture: A study of structural equation modeling. Educational Sciences: Theory Practice, 9(3), 1391-1405. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. Millar, C.J.M., Delves, R., Harris, P. (2010). Ethical and unethical leadership: Double vision? Journal of Public Affairs, 10(3), 109-120. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Rowe, G., Guerrero, L. (2011). Cases in leadership. (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, Inc. Rubin, R.S., Diedorff, E.C., Brown, M.E. (2010). Do ethical leaders get ahead? Exploring ethical leadership and promotability. Business Ethics Quarterly, 20(2), 215-236. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Sagnak, M. (2010). The relationship between transformational school leadership and ethical climate. Educational Sciences: Theory Practice, 10(2), 1135-1152. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. Sendjaya, S., Sarros, J.C., Santora, J.C. (2008). Defining and measuring servant leadership behavior in organizations. Journal of Management Studies, 45(2), 402-424. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Sparrowe, R.T. (2005). Authentic leadership and the narrative self. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(1), 419-439. Taylor, T., Martin, B.N., Hutchinson, S., Jinks, M. (2007). Examination of leadership practices of principles identified as servant leaders. International Journal of Leadership in Education, 10(4), 401-419. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Walumbwa, F., Avolio, B., Gardner, W., Wernsing, T., Peterson, S. (2008). Authentic leadership: Development and validation of a theory-based measure. Journal of Management, 34(1), 89-126. Waterman, H. (2011). Principles of servant leadership and how they can enhance practice. Nursing Management, 17(9), 24-36. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Whetstone, J.T. (2002). Personalism and moral leadership: The servant leader with a transforming vision. Business Ethics: A European Review, 11(4), 385-392. Retrieved from Business Source Premier Database. Xiaoyong, X., Fen, Y., Jiannong, S. (2011). Ethical leadership and leaders’ personalities. Social Behavior Personality: An International Journal, 39(3), 361-268. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier Database. Yukl, G.A. (2009). Leaders hip in Organizations. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. This research paper on Ethical Leadership its Variations was written and submitted by user Kallie Riggs to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Reflections On Biodiversity essays

Reflections On Biodiversity essays Since the time of Adam and Eve, mankind has changed. We no longer see, interact, or depend on nature the same way as we did thousands of years ago. Yet, we are still very much connected to the earth. Mankind continues to be engaged in natures challenge to survive. Our relationship with nature is stronger everyday as our understanding of the world expands. Our human lives are built around the inevitable laws and affects of nature. And so, while our perspectives and functions in nature have dramatically changed, mankind remains intimately and inseparably attached to the rest of creation. Mankind has excelled at natures game of survival of the fittest. We have learned not only to adapt and to endure the whims of nature, but we have found ways to manipulate nature itself to ensure the welfare of our race. We have learned to take, to exploit and to pollute nature and its resources so that we may more easily survive. It is because of this that we have risen above all of natures other creations. We are alienated from the rest of creation only in the fact that we have mastered natures law of survival, allowing us to take the fate of our existence into our own hands. The skills that we have developed to better our chances of survival in nature can be but a logical step in natural evolution. Mankind has reached the apex of this step ahead of any other species; consequently we have lost the physical need to follow the flow of the rest of nature. Adam and Eve were distanced from a land of paradise, where there was no need to fight for survival, a land where all was provided f or. The segregation of mankind from the rest of creation cannot compare to the segregation of Adam and Eve from Eden because unlike Eden, nature is not a paradise. In the harsh real world of nature, we must compete to fulfill our needs in order to survive. The harshness of nature has driven mankind to rise above the rest of creation in order to ensur...

Sunday, February 23, 2020

Introduction and Setting Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Introduction and Setting - Research Paper Example The movie or film series Star Wars is not at all an exception. Created by George Lucas on May 25th, 1977, the film was released by the 20th Century Fox to become a global phenomenon. The events that take place in Star Wars do so in a fictional galaxy, with the actors being humanoids or alien creatures and the area of residence and operation being the Galactic Empire. Force is among the prominent elements in the movie and acts as an all-present energy that knits the galaxy together, and can be tapped by those with the ability to do so. Through the force, the characters in Star Wars are able to realize the effecting of clairvoyance, mind control, telekinesis and precognition, among other supernatural activities. This force is seen to be amoral, in the sensed that while it can be used for good ends, it harbors a dark side that can instill hatred, malice and aggression when pursued. As far as the main characters are concerned and how they use the force, there are Jedi and Sith who use th e force for good (to save the universe) and evil (to own and control the universe), respectively. There are several ways in which Star Wars is heavily laden with mythological, spiritual and religious symbols, as has been previously mentioned and shall be divulged upon forthwith. Analyzing Mythological, Spiritual and religious Symbolism in Star Wars’ Synopsis The manner in which symbolism plays out in Star Wars is so fundamental that it does not just merely fortuitously correlate with some remote aspects and characters of the movie, but it also forms a complex weave which threads the entire trilogy together to form a complete and colorful synopsis. Specifically, in Star Wars, Luke Skywalker is compelled to fight the temptations emanating from the Dark Side, as a way of succoring humanity from the enslaving grip of the evil emperor, Dark Vader, together with other evil actors such as Java the Hutt. At the same time, there abound Biblical and spiritual mysteries littered through out the plot in Star Wars. This brings about a heavy sense of parallelism between the trilogy and Biblical accounts. In Star Wars, Darth Vader extends an olive branch to Luke Skywalker to the effect that upon accepting this olive branch, Skywalker would get to co-rule the galaxy with Vader, his father. This is seen in the Empire Strikes Back. This clearly brings to mind, the scriptural narration that is found in the Gospel of St. Matthew where standing on an exceedingly high mountain with Jesus, showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world, the glory therein and offered to hand them to Jesus, should Jesus have paid him homage. This brings about the spiritual value of the importance of having the virtue of having focus and spiritual piety that will help one discriminate short-term conveniences for long-term good. Just as Christ forsakes the offertories being extended to him to do carry out a divine purpose of saving the world and its fullness from the devil’s, sin’s and d eath’s enslaving grip, so does Skywalker who refuses the overtures of Dark Vader, in order to save the universe from falling to slavery. The same idea is repeated in Jedi resisting the use of the Force in a negative manner as does Sith. Biblical or Mythological Imagery The quotations and

Friday, February 7, 2020

Physical and cultural aspect of the city of Islamic origins which are Essay

Physical and cultural aspect of the city of Islamic origins which are still present in the contemporary Arab city - Essay Example This was towards enabling greater responsiveness and functionality, vital in meeting the cultural and socio-economic needs of the Umma. Islam’s ascent to dominance as a world religion was influenced by its penetration of different regions of the globe i.e. Europe, Asia and Africa. This resulted in an overwhelming and irreversible impact on these regions’ urban development. As Saoud (2002) alludes, Islam as an urban religion was based on the community’s commitment to religious values, beliefs and practices relating to both authority and organization, and emphasizing more on social gathering/ togetherness. This was as opposed to the encouragement of human dispersal and nomadic lifestyle, which were characteristics of early Islamic life. As a result, early Muslim centers and towns were erected with the core responsibility of preaching Islam (Saoud, 2002). The essence of Islam as an urban religion was to sprout out of this ideal, as the religion was best adhered to in communal gatherings, as opposed to personal prayer and devotion. Historically, early centers served primarily as places of worship i.e. those of the Maghreb, Rabat and Tunis. Their role was that of – a Citadel of Faith – as Fischel (1956) eludes, dedicated to receiving and providing habitat for new converts. Also critical to this role, was the concept of such cities being referred to as Dar-El-Hijra, places where Muslims came to practice the Islamic way of life. It is through this critical avenue that Islam was spread throughout North Africa, and subsequently the whole of the region in addition to southern Europe. Thus, religious role was a key aspect of the emergence of such thriving towns and cities. This prestigious role of the towns and cities, as religious centers, was replaced by political motives during the 9th Century AD. The turbulence of this era resulted in the breakaway of such regions, from the traditional link to the main Caliphate,

Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Intelligence Led-Policing Essay Example for Free

Intelligence Led-Policing Essay The police institution has undergone major changes aimed at rebuilding its public. These changes date back to aggressive cops to the modern day police whose are guided by the rule of law (Ratcliffe, 2003, p 3). Introduced in the late 20th century, community policing focused on restoration of police legitimacy through community participation. It aimed at re-connecting the police institution to the public (Ratcliffe, 2003, p 4). Various researches indicate that it failed to provide measurable results. Consequently other models including problem oriented policing, Compstat and most recently, intelligence based policing (ILP) have emerged. Problem oriented policing involves use of statistical trends in identification of areas of interest. Compstat on the other hand focuses on empowerment of middle level officers to rapidly respond to crime. Basically it involves crime mapping, viewing and discussion. The most recent, ILP is an initiative at making the police smarter. It is founded on the use of criminal intelligence by the police in fighting crime (Ratcliffe, 2003, p 6). Emerging as a rare and unique initiative that attempts at understanding criminal environments and thus predict its occurrence and trends, the initiative is increasingly gaining popularity. Unlike the other models, ILP does not favor the popular reactive and investigate approaches in fighting crime but rather focuses on early identification hence prevention (Ratcliffe, 2003, p 6). It ensures that police actions are based on intelligence rather than intuition. ILP emerges as an alternative in organizational restructuring towards crime eradication. It is a result of changing crime faces and the transnational crime emergence alongside globalization, electronic financial transactions and internet in addition to police demand gap and failures of the existing policing models (Ratcliffe, 2003, p 6). The major similarity of this model to the previous models is the cause. Each aims to reduce crime marginal through either prevention or reactionary techniques. However, the approaches the take differ enormously. While the earlier models focused on either reacting to crime or cause identification, this model focuses on understanding the crime and the criminal mind as the basis for criminal fight.

Monday, January 20, 2020

The Patriot Act Essay -- USA Terrorism Surveillance Wire Tapping

The Patriot Act In the wake of September 11, many things happened very quickly. Along with the beginning of a 'war' against terrorism, an act was passed to help prevent future terrorism in the USA. The name of this is the USA Patriot Act. The act legalizes many surveillance techniques that were once prohibited. The act has been passed without debate, and the new privileges given to our government have not been thoroughly examined. The law enforcers of our country are now capable of monitoring the citizens in ways most people are not aware of. Some of the surveillance laws are self-terminating after four years, but many of the more important laws are permanent. What will these new surveillance laws be used for after the war on terrorism is over? Lee Tien, the Electronic Frontier Foundation staff attorney, suggests that the new rights can be used to put America into a 'police state'. There is a need for checks and balances in the USA Patriot Act to protect the American citizens. There are two hundred ninety pages in the USA Patriot Act; many of these pages are discussing subjects that change the rights of American citizens forever. The act was passed in a little over a month, which suggest that few, if any, congressmen thoroughly read this detailed act. In times of crisis, history has proved that United States citizens willingly compromise their right of privacy without considering the consequences. Many people have openly accepted this act without knowing what it is, most people have never even heard of the USA Patriot Act. The USAPA (USA Patriot Act) has not gone under the scrutiny that any normal act would have, yet this could be more important than any other act to date. The USAPA allows national or domestic law enforces (from the NSA, FBI, and CIA all the way down to the local police) to tap your computer or voice mail with a simple search warrant issued by a judge. Only one out of ten thousand of these search warrants requests are rejected. The law enf orcers are also allowed to tap electronic devices without telling the victim about the warrant or that they are being monitored. Also, the CIA and other foreign agencies are allowed to share information with the domestic law enforcement. This means that agencies that were once not allowed to intervene in the affairs of the USA can do so without punishment. These are few of the many la... ...dly, there should be a report on if the information acquired is used in court. This is a check on the usefulness of the information gathered by the law enforcers, and a way to monitor the proper use of the search warrant. Fourthly, a check on how the information attained is to be shared with other law based government agencies. It is a way to protect the privacy of the victim, so people do not needlessly read private documents. Finally, the public should be aware of the success or failure of the system. The people should be informed if their loss of privacy has done what it is intended to, which is to protect the country. These checks and balances of the USA Patriot Act are needed if the men and women of the USA want to feel safe. Thus, the USAPA must have many checks as well as balances if the people of the United States are to be happy with it. Until then, people remain concerned that Congress has passed such extensive declines in the right of Americans to be liberated from dominating government observation. But having done so, it is essential that Congress where feasible, shares with the American nation basic information about how these wide new powers are being used.

Sunday, January 12, 2020

Let your life speak Essay

Questions for Reflection During which moments/activities do you feel most alive? What are your feelings about someone doing the right thing for the wrong reason? In what ways do you hear from God? What kinds of things most drain you? Stress you? What activities give you the space to reflect on what is going on inside you? How often do you do them? Consider the aphorism â€Å"Your greatest strength can also be your greatest weakness.† What is the connection between your strengths and your limits? Suggested Activity Pray through St. Ignatius’ Prayer of Examen. See www.marshill.org/groups/hc/ Select the link titled Prayer of Examen in the Practices section. Parker Palmer Let Your Life Speak Chapter 2-Now I Become Myself Quotes to think about â€Å"What a long time it can take to become the person one has always been. How often in the process we mask ourselves in faces that are not our own† [p. 9]. â€Å"We ourselves, driven by fear, too often betray true self to gain the approval of others† [p. 12]. â€Å"But inspected through the lens of paradox, my desire to become an aviator and an advertiser contain clues to the core of true self†¦clues, by definition, are coded and must be deciphered† [p. 13]. â€Å"If you seek vocation without understanding the material you are working with, what you build with your life will be ungainly and may well put lives in peril, your own and some of those around you† [p. 16]. â€Å"In the tradition of pilgrimage†¦hardships are seen not as accidental but as integral to the journey itself† [p. 18]. â€Å"I saw that as an organizer I had never stopped being a teacher-I was simply teaching in a classroom without walls. Make me a cleric or a CEO, a poet or a politico, and teaching is what I will do† [p. 21]. â€Å"People like me are raised to live autonomously, not interdependently. I had been trained to compete and win, and I had developed a taste for the prizes† [p. 22]. â€Å"Because I could not acknowledge my fear, I had to disguise it as the white horse of judgment and self-righteousness† [p. 28]. â€Å"Self care is never a selfish act-it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on the earth to offer to others† [p. 30]. â€Å"They decide no longer to act on the outside in a way that contradicts some truth about themselves that they hold deeply on the inside† [p. 32]. â€Å"Some journeys are direct, and some are circuitous; some are heroic, and some are fearful and muddled. But every journey, honestly undertaken, stands a chance of taking us toward the place where our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need† [p. 36]. Questions for reflection What role does gaining the approval of others play in how you live your life? As Palmer recalls his childhood, he is able to uncover clues to his true self. Parents, siblings, and even spouses are great sources of information to find out what you were like when you were younger. What were your childhood fascinations? Were you an artist? Were you building forts in the woods? What sorts of things held your attention? Are there connections between the things that fascinated you then and the life that you want to live now? Half-truths go hand in hand with fear. In our fear, it is much easier to look at another person, institution, or situation and point out shortcomings than it is to look at our own. Fear may motivate us to do the right thing for the wrong reasons. What are some of the fears that â€Å"trigger† you to lash out at others? Palmer says that â€Å"self care is good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift that I was placed on earth to offer others.† He goes on to say that a lack of self care hurts not only the individual but others as well. What does â€Å"self care† look like for you? What restores you? What are the things in your life that make your soul tired? Who are the Martin Luther King Jr.’s, the Rosa Parks’, and Gandhis: of your life? Who are the people that you admire so much that you seek to model aspects of your life after them? Why these people? Learning who you are doesn’t simply mean learning your strengths but also your limitations. â€Å"Who are you?† is a very broad and difficult question to answer. I may not be able to tell you â€Å"who I am,† but I’ve got a list of stories to tell you who I am not! Finish the sentence â€Å"I could never_____ it’s just not me.† Suggested Activity Palmer says that â€Å"clues are coded and must be deciphered.† Turn a blank sheet of paper on its side and draw a straight line from the left side to the right side. The line will serve as a chronological timeline of your life from birth until now. Place significant experiences and events that have shaped who you are today on the timeline. Examples: family of origin, deaths, births, school and work experiences, relationships, spiritual journey, great moments of joy, or great moments of sadness. Take time to share with one another about what is on your timeline and why it is significant. Parker Palmer Let Your Life Speak Chapter 3-When Way Closes Quotes to think about â€Å"There is as much guidance in what does not and cannot happen in my life as there is in what can and does-maybe more† [p. 39]. â€Å"If you are like me and don’t readily admit your limits, embarrassment may be the only way to get your attention† [p. 42]. â€Å"As Americans†¦we resist the very idea of limits, regarding limits of all sorts as temporary and regrettable impositions on our lives†¦We refuse to take no for an answer† [p. 42]. â€Å"When I consistently refuse to take no for an answer, I miss the vital clues to my identity that arise when way closes-and I am more likely both to exceed my limits and to do harm to others in the process† [p. 43]. â€Å"There are some roles and relationships in which we thrive and others in which we wither and die† [p. 44]. â€Å"It took me a long time to understand that although everyone needs to be loved, I cannot be the source of that gift to everyone who asks me for it† [p. 48]. â€Å"When I give something I do not possess, I give a false and dangerous gift, a gift that looks like love but is, in reality, loveless-a gift given more from my need to prove myself than from the other’s need to be cared for† [p. 48]. â€Å"Our strongest gifts are usually those we are barely aware of possessing. They are a part of our God given nature, with us from the moment we drew first breath, and we are no more conscious of having them than we are of breathing† [p. 52]. â€Å"Limitations and liabilities are the flip side of our gifts†¦a particular weakness is the inevitable trade-off for a particular strength. We will become better teachers not by trying to fill the potholes in our souls but by knowing them so well that we can avoid falling into them† [p. 52]. â€Å"If we are to live our lives fully and well, we must learn to embrace the opposites, to live in a creative tension between our limits and our potentials. We must honor our limitations in ways that do not distort our nature, and we must trust and use our gifts in ways that fulfill the potentials God gave us† [p. 55]. Questions for reflection Can you identify a moment in your life when God used a â€Å"closed door† instead of an â€Å"open door† to guide your life in the direction it needed to go? Discuss your experience.  Palmer says that embarrassment is sometimes the only way we become aware of our limitations. Identify and discuss an embarrassing moment that helped you become aware of your limitations. How does humor get used to avoid dealing with our shortcomings? In American culture, weaknesses and limitations are often viewed as things that need to be turned into strengths. Palmer seems to argue that in trying to turn our weaknesses into strengths we become something that we are not and end up living outside of ourselves. How does the idea that weaknesses should be identified and honored rather than turned into strengths strike you? If our strongest gifts are usually the ones that we are most unaware of, what types  of things do people tell you are your strengths that you feel unaware of? Suggested Activity Identify and write down two recent moments in your life. 1. A moment when things went so well that you felt confident that you were born to do whatever you were doing at the time. 2. A moment when something went so poorly that you never wanted to repeat the experience again. Break into groups of two or three people and share these moments. In the groups, begin by helping one another see the strengths that made the great moment possible. After doing that, reflect with one another about the moment that went poorly. Instead of offering critiques, think about the strengths discussed in the first moment. Knowing that our strengths and weaknesses are often opposites, help each other identify if there is a connection between the strength of the first moment and the weakness of the second moment. How are they two sides of the same coin? When everyone has finished gather back together as one group and discuss what you discovered. Parker Palmer Let Your Life Speak Chapter 4: All the Way Down *Before your discussion of chapter 4, it is very important to lay a framework for your discussion. Anytime people are discussing their brokenness, it must be done in a place of safety and confidentiality. Ask the group to be attentive to not try to â€Å"fix† one another as you interact. If you sense this beginning to happen, remind everyone that you are not trying to fix one another but to help one another hear. Also, be sure to communicate how important it is that what is discussed remains confidential. Quotes to think about â€Å"I had no choice but to write about my own deepest wound†¦I rarely spoke to him about my own darkness; even in his gracious presence, I felt too ashamed† [p. 57]. â€Å"Second, depression demands that we reject simplistic answers, both  Ã¢â‚¬Å"religious† and â€Å"scientific,† and learn to embrace mystery, something our culture resists† [p. 60]. â€Å"I do not like to speak ungratefully of my visitors. They all meant well, and they were among the few who did not avoid me altogether† [p. 61]. â€Å"Depression is the ultimate state of disconnection, not just between people but between one’s mind and one’s feelings. To be reminded of that disconnection only deepened my despair† [p. 62]. â€Å"I heard nothing beyond their opening words, because I knew they were peddling a falsehood: no one can fully experience another person’s mystery† [p. 62]. â€Å"One of the hardest things we must do sometimes is to be present to another person’s pain without trying to â€Å"fix† it, to simply stand respectfully at the edge of that person’s mystery and misery† [p. 63]. â€Å"Functional atheism-saying pious words about God’s presence in our lives but believing, on the contrary, that nothing good is going to happen unless we make it happen† [p. 64].  Ã¢â‚¬Å"First, I had been trained as an intellectual not only to think-an activity I greatly value-but also to live largely in my head†¦Ã¢â‚¬  [p. 67]. â€Å"I had to be forced underground before I could understand that the way to God is not up but down† [p. 69].  Ã¢â‚¬Å"One of the most painful discoveries I made in the midst of the dark woods of depression was that a part of me wanted to stay depressed. As long as I clung to this living death, life became easier; little was expected of me, certainly not serving others† [p. 71]. Questions for reflection Identifying our wounds is a critical part of the inward journey. Think back to the timeline you drew in the Chapter 2 activity. What are the wounds you have suffered? In what ways does shame cause you to hide who you are from others? Discuss the following statement: Sometimes not having answers to some of life’s questions can be comforting. Do you agree? Why or why not? Do you feel it is important to â€Å"show up† when others experience hardship or tragedy? Why or why not? Discuss Palmer’s suggestion that no one can fully experience another person’s mystery and misery. How is the phrase â€Å"I know exactly how you feel† a positive statement between two people? How is it a negative statement? How do you see â€Å"functional atheism† in the world around you? In your life? What does â€Å"the way to God is down† mean to you? Palmer says â€Å"part of me wanted to stay depressed.† Why do you think we hold onto our pain despite the fact that we want it to stop? Suggested Activity Have someone read Job 2:9-13. What can we learn about how Job’s friends respond in these few verses? Read Job 4:8 and then Job 13:5. What is Eliphaz suggesting about Job in 4:8? What can be learned from Job’s response in 13:5? Parker Palmer Let Your Life Speak Chapter 5-Leading from Within Quotes to think about â€Å"I lead by word and deed simply because I am here doing what I do. If you are also here, doing what you do, then you also exercise leadership of some sort† [p. 74]. â€Å"Why must we go in and down? Because as we do so, we will meet the darkness that we carry within ourselves-the ultimate shadows that we project onto other people. If we do not understand that the enemy is within, we will find a thousand ways of making someone â€Å"out there† into the enemy, becoming leaders who oppress rather than liberate others† [p. 80]. â€Å"But why would anybody want to take a journey of that sort, with its multiple difficulties and dangers? Everything in us cries out against it-which is why we externalize everything. It is so much easier to deal with the external world, to spend our lives manipulating materials and institutions and other people instead of dealing with our own souls† [p. 82]. â€Å"Why would anyone want to embark on the daunting inner journey about which Annie Dillard writes? Because there is no way out of one’s inner life, so one had better get into it. On the inward and downward spiritual journey, the only way out is in and through† [p. 85]. â€Å"But extroversion sometimes develops as a way to cope with self-doubt: we plunge into external activity to prove that we are worthy-or simply to evade the question† [p. 86]. â€Å"the knowledge that identity does not depend on the role w e play or the power it gives us over others. It depends only on the simple fact that we are children of God, valued in and for ourselves† [p. 87]. â€Å"A few people found ways to be present to me without violating my soul’s integrity. Because they were not driven by their own fears, the fears that lead us either to â€Å"fix† or abandon each other†¦Ã¢â‚¬  [p. 93]. Questions for reflection Palmer suggests that anyone who is alive is a leader. He broadens the typical definition of leadership to include things like family dynamics and relationships. Discuss your thoughts on this.  What monsters do you need to â€Å"ride all the way down?† What might that look like?  What activities have you been part of in order to prove your worth or value? Palmer finishes the chapter by saying that it is possible for communities to be with one another in a way that is safe and honoring. What do you think makes communities feel unsafe? We are meant to support and journey with one another. What alternatives are there for journeying together beyond â€Å"fixing or abandoning?† Suggested Activity  Read Matthew 15:2,10, and 11.  Have someone wrap an empty box as you would a birthday or Christmas gift. Decorate the exterior with ribbons, bows, and other gift decorations. Set the gift in the middle of the room and ask people to make observations about the wrapping: What can we tell about the person who wrapped the box based on the wrapping? After several minutes of observation, have someone open the  gift to reveal the empty box. Jesus observes that the Pharisees are so concerned with the exterior that they neglect what is inside. How is this true in our lives? Parker Palmer Let Your Life Speak Chapter 6-There Is a Season Quotes to think about â€Å"Animated by the imagination, one of the most vital powers we possess, our metaphors often become reality, transmuting themselves from language into the living of our lives† [p. 96]. â€Å"We do not believe that we â€Å"grow† our lives-we believe that we â€Å"make† them† [p. 97]. â€Å"We are here not only to transform the world but also to be transformed† [p. 97]. â€Å"In my own experience of autumn, I am rarely aware that seeds are being planted† [p. 98]. â€Å"In retrospect, I can see in my own life what I could not see at the time-how the job I lost helped me find work I needed to do, how the â€Å"road closed† sign turned me toward terrain I needed to travel, how losses that felt irredeemable forced me to discern meanings I needed to know† [p. 99]. â€Å"There is in all visible things†¦a hidden wholeness† [p. 99]. â€Å"Until we enter boldly into the fears we most want to avoid, those fears will dominate our lives† [p. 103]. â€Å"If you receive a gift, you keep it alive not by clinging to it but by passing it along†¦If we want to save our lives, we cannot cling to them but must spend them with abandon† [p. 105]. â€Å"Authentic abundance does not lie in secured stockpiles of food or cash or influence or affection but in belonging to a community where we can give those goods to others who need them-and receive them from others when we are in need† [p. 108]. â€Å"Community doesn’t just create abundance-community is abundance. If we could learn that equation from the world of nature, the human world might be transformed† [p. 108]. Questions for reflection  What season do you feel that you are currently in? Why? In your mind, what is the weirdest most obscure animal in all of God’s good creation? Why do you suppose God is so detailed and extravagant with his creation? What things contribute to the loss of imagination? In what ways do you â€Å"make your life† rather than listen for what God desires to make of your life? God asks that his people join him in redeeming and restoring the world. How are you joining God to redeem and restore the world? Remember that God is about details and extravagance. We can sometimes feel that the way we join God is small and insignificant compared to the way others do. But it isn’t. God created you to be a gift to Him and to the world and you have something to offer. What is it? How is this process transforming you? The way of Jesus, which is the way of the cross, compels us to use our freedom and abundance for the benefit of others. What does it look like for you to live for the benefit of others? What does it look like for your community? Suggested Activity After discussing what it might look like for your community to live for the benefit of others, finish by holding hands in a circle and reciting the Lord’s Prayer. [Matthew 6:9-13].