I have never given much thought to morale building... But here it is, in Seeking God (a book I have been reading s-l-o-w-l-y, as I try to absorb its wisdom). Speaking about leadership and authority in a Benedictine community, Esther de Waal writes:
"Building a successful community has a lot to do with keeping up morale. This does not happen without effort." (p. 137)
She gives the example of how the person responsible for distributing food, clothing and tools in a Benedictine community is charged to give people what they need "without pride and delay." And if he or she can't give what is asked for, to "offer a kind word in reply," not to "reject him with disdain and cause him distress."
She then comments on how different this is from many bureaucratic settings where power is exercised by "making others feel small, even if by nothing more trivial than keeping them waiting."
A Biblical injunction comes to mind:
"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”— when you already have it with you."
No power struggle here. No keeping people waiting. Whether my "community" is a family, a church or a workplace, a simple kindness like this can be a real morale booster!
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