To say something in one word is far more difficult than saying something with more. The longer the sentence, the more opportunities one has to express something. When it comes to people, it is more difficult! Can a word describe a person? Would it be fair?
It is impossible to know if one’s choice of describing another is how the individual would describe her or himself. Fair is a measure that makes little sense. Fair to whom?
As difficult as the process is, this is the time of the year that we are asked to consider and document the performance of our teams. It is individual and comparative. It is fair in a way while also being incomplete in another (unfair). One of the keys to the process is developing a shared set of definitions. If we use words with shared meaning, we open the opportunity for others to hear our perspective. The process opens up the potential that we can compare the performance across our different teams.
As I continue to reflect on the various individuals, I find myself looking in the mirror. What definitions would I use to define others as well as myself holistically?
There are two identifiers that I know I need. I would want to know the word that describes the difference between contributors and consumers. Said another way, the individuals that are making a difference as compared to those that create a difference.
When I think I my view of God, it links to the key difference I want to identify. “This is what makes an antichrist: denying the Father, denying the Son. No one who denies the Son has any part with the Father, but affirming the Son is an embrace of the Father as well.” (1 John 2.23) The contents are the consumers, takers, and self-promoters.
In contrast, I think of the individuals that model God. They embrace and live the ideals of compassion, inclusion, and diversity. They reach for others, looking to help them in their aspirations.
Today is my attempt to wear and be the contrast.
