Reflection Paper : Forgiveness

Definition of forgiveness

Forgiveness constitutes the first step in the process of overcoming suffering brought on by a betrayal of trust. In this process, the recovery of a relationship may be optional and where parties feel the need to restore a broken relationship as a result of a breach in trust, the process may take anywhere from days to years of investing energy and time to rebuild depending on the severity of the breach. Forgiveness is born of love, motivated by the sincere compassion for humankind and fostered by the acknowledgement of the co-dependence of .human beings and their connection to the natural world. Forgiveness is cultivated at the level of personal beliefs and values, building on the virtue of love, which in the organizational setting relates to caring for people and our world. Ultimately, forgiveness is the pathway to rebuilding trust.

This definition of forgiveness does not necessarily set boundaries that limit when and how forgiveness should be offered, it acknowledges the fragile nature of trust, the concept of varying degrees of suffering and the fact that the timeline of the process of forgiveness depends largely on the gravity of the breach of trust.The definition further acknowledges that forgiveness is primarily a choice, where parties involved make mental decisions to forgive.

How can you choose to show forgiveness and release the negative emotion of a situation that has been holding you back as an ethical leader?

As an ethical leader, it helps to understand that forgive is a matter of choice, it does not mean one is a weakling and in no way does forgiveness constitute forgetting or the elimination of consequences. From this point of understanding, it becomes clear that forgiveness reflects a depth of character and maturity in the person who embarks on the journey to forgive, release the negative emotion, and move on. For a more effective forgivenessprocess, it is necessary to spend a considerable amount of time figuring out the nature of the situation and most importantly, what restoring the relationship in questionwould take. Holding on to past hurt is energy draining, a realization that should help an ethical leader to release bitterness, pain and any negative emotion associated with the event in order to embrace freedom and optimism qualities that will facilitate moving forward.

Give an example of 3 business or organizational benefits of implementing those 3 values?

According to Caldwell & Dixon (2010) the values of forgiveness, trust, and love are crucial to leaders who seek to revitalize relationships and transform lives. Competitive advantage is a byproduct of implementing the caring principles, which can enable a business or an organization to respond effectively to cultural diversity and the challenges posed by globalization.Improved performance is an absolute benefit of implementing the values of forgiveness, love, and trust in the organization since these values allow leaders to treat their colleagues with respect and dignity while prioritizing their best interests. Increased transparency in corporate behavior where leaders and everyone else in the organization is responsible and accountable to each other in their conduct fostering good relations internally and externally while still caring for the planet.

In your opinion, what impact could be made in the workplace by adoption that philosophy?

Theleadership philosophy advanced by Caldwell & Dixon (2010) refuses to see people as labor coststhat ought to be eliminated or reduced, recommending instead, that people be treated as assets of value. This philosophyfocuses on empowering others to become their best since leadership is a reciprocal relationship. Re-integrating compassion back into the list of relevant business ethos will bring about a genuine adherence to accountability, which in return will foster transparency and thus everyone’s interests will be taken into account. This will oppose the model where businesses selfishly seek to make profit and enrich themselves at the expense of the planet and other people.

As an ethical leader, give 2 examples of how you can instill the values of love, forgiveness and trust in your organization, business, family or community

To instill these valuessuccessfully,I would use training & development methodologies and reward systems. This will ensure that concepts of love, forgiveness, and trust appear in training courses and management training manuals in order to reverse the ignorance surrounding compassion and begin to include human needs and human feelings in all spheres it has previously been excluded.

What steps will you take to infuse these principles into your leadership journey?

I would first create the link between dispassionate corporate understanding of good business and management such ascritical reasoning, performance management, profit, and strategic planning, with the compassionate concepts of love, forgiveness, and trust. Then continually through practice and repetition break down the social and cultural expectations that have previously enforced dispassionate behavior. Ultimately as an ethical leader, I would lead by example; by personally practicing love, forgiveness and trust I would be setting the organizational tone regarding the application of compassionate behavior in all business dealings.

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