Week 11 Journal Entry

Becoming

 I read the book “Hero’s Journey” there are nine steps to become a hero, step 7 made me ponder and reflect on how I am doing on my journey to become. While we are working to better understand ourselves and creating a life of purpose it is important to remember to keep balance in our lives. Rest when it is appropriate and needed. Sandefer and Sirico quoted a theologian Josef Pieper, “A sense of ongoing rest can allow you to hold things more lightly, to worry less, to be more open and flexible. This contemplative, relaxed attitude helps the hero remain calm even when he enters the storm.” There is value in having balance in our lives.

This week I read an article by Charles Handy, “What’s a Business for?” Harvard Review. I have read the article 3 times and I am slowly understanding what the article is about. I am supposed to answer three questions about the article, and I am not sure I can. I do not know if I am on overload from school or if my brain is on vacation. I will give this my best attempt, but, please do not judge me from my responses. I am tired, it is the end of the semester and I need to begin preparations for finals.

Why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

At first glance this is an easy question to answer, however, there is more to it than honesty. Mr. Handy stated, “Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws in turn depend on truth and trust. Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play. The markets will empty and share prices will collapse…” Integrity and virtue are hard to come by in today’s society, it is necessary in order for businesses to succeed and markets to grow.

What is the real justifications for the existence of business?

“The purpose of a business, in other words, is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That “something” becomes the real justification for the business.”

Two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

“Business needs to take the lead in areas such as environmental and social sustainability instead of forever letting itself be pushed onto the defensive.” I find this statement interesting, on one hand how can they take the lead when in most cases they are unaware of the issue and on the other hand most changes are forced upon them before they have an opportunity to create a solution to the issue.

“If the contemporary business, with its foundation of human assets, is to survive, it will have to find better ways to protect people from the demands of the jobs it gives them. Neglecting the environment may drive away customers, but neglecting people’s lives may drive away key members of the workforce. Here, again, it would help for companies to see themselves as communities whose members have individual needs as well as individual skills and talents. They are not anonymous human resources.

More corporate democracy and better corporate behavior will go a long way to improve the current business culture in the eyes of the public, but unless these changes are accompanied by a new vision of the purpose of business, they will be seen as mere palliatives. It is time to raise our sights above the purely pragmatic.”

I am not sure I agree with this, there has to be integrity on both sides. When did it become corporates responsibility to solve employee’s problems? An individual joins a company knowing what is expected of them, when they decide to change the situation, for example, by having a child, why should the corporation make all of the changes for the employee such as accommodating them for months of paid leave?

I realize I was supposed to find two things I agreed with Charles Handy, I found that a challenge to do. I am not sure I agree with his analysis. Is there greed in the corporate world? Yes! Is the corporate world the enemy? That is a good question, I do not believe it is, there are many that are unethical, however, there are more that create great things and do a lot good in the world.