Labeled

When you are on the receiving end of other people’s judgments, how do you deal with the negative interpretations of your actions and your character? How do you accept, with equanimity, other people’s judgments?

Do you say, “That’s all right. Everybody’s entitled to their opinions”? And then lash out at them first chance you get?

Typical illustration in a 19th century book about Physiognomy (on the left: “Utter despair”, and on the right: “Rage mixed with fear”), reproduction by Tom Ordelman, posted on Wikimedia.

Searching for a leader

Last week I nominated my colleague to be Dean of our college.

Why?

This is not a question I have asked myself about the nominee. In my opinion, she is one among several people in the college who possess the qualities of a good leader. In my book, she wins hands-down in my personal choice for a leader I’d follow.

But I’m posing the question because I sense that other people in my college do not know my reasons for nominating her. So I’m posting here excerpts from my nomination letter:

Limited by words

I’m taking my time today. Taking things slowly even if there are a lot of tasks that has to be done. This step is necessary for my well-being. I don’t want a repeat of yesterday’s heated argument with a colleague.

So today over a mug of coffee, I’m reading my copy of the Daodejing again, beginning with Passage 1 again. In Hodge’s book, the copy I have, this passage is classified under “Language and Guidance.” I read the passage and Hodge’s commentary. The last part of the commentary caught my attention:

Types of leaders

I’ve been hating myself lately because more and more, as I find myself embroiled in bureaucratic red tape, pettiness seems to be the easiest way to function. And so it is “better” to blame others for whatever mistakes are committed along the way, it is “gratifying” to see how others scurry away in fear of being bawled out, to “importantly” announce to whoever cares to listen how “I” have successfully and signlehandedly overcome obstacles, etc.