In a random thought experiment today, I began listing the qualifications that I would look for in a person that I would choose to hire as an executive administrator of something or other (provided, of course, that I ever found myself in a position to do so).
1. Integrity & moral character
2. Good work ethic
3. Intelligence & sound reasoning
4. Independence & free thinking
5. Passion & motivation
6. Conviction & belief
7. Determination & commitment
8. Loyalty & teamwork
9. Skill-set & knowledge
There may be one or two others that upon further reflection I would add to this list, but most of these are in no particular order. Qualification #9, however, is very deliberately placed at the bottom of the list, because without all the others I really didn't care if that one was present in the candidate or not. He or she might be an encyclopedia of information on the exact area of expertise that I was looking for, but if he had a lousy work ethic or was simply untrustworthy, there's no way I would hire him.
Each of the previously listed qualifications are qualities that a person must cultivate in him or her-self. They are virtues of one kind or another, and must be sought after as a person develops into the man or woman they eventually become. Skill-sets or knowledge can be gleaned at almost any stage in life, and information is always readily available. We live in the Information Age. If the only complaint is that a person is, "uninformed," our generation should be the first to realize that this is not a problem as information is always just a mouse-click away.
The real key lies with what a person actually does with the information that he or she is given. Does he merely use it to his advantage? Does she know how to think well? Where will their respective convictions take them, if anywhere? What part does their commitment to faith, family, and country play into it? At the end of the day, do you want a skillfully informed person of tentative convictions to be the "executive administrator" around here? Or would you prefer someone who exhibits the rest of the qualities listed?
Sara Reneé Prehn is a twenty-something who has been sucked into the addicting world of social/political commentary. She holds a masters degree in spiritual formation and soul care from Talbot School of Theology and is a graduate of the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University. She has been Assistant Director of Wheatstone Academy, a worldview-based summer camp for high school students and is a member of Spiritual Directors International. If the election kills her, she is survived by her husband and two cats.
Well done, Sara! It's refreshing to finally see a pro-Obama post around here!
Well done, Sara! It's refreshing to finally see a pro-Obama post around here!
Really don't see how you can assume this is a pro-Obama post. Personally, I don't see how Obama, by any standard, meets the top 4. And of the other 4, the passion, conviction, etc. are all for things I couldn't support.
Well done, Sara! It's refreshing to finally see a pro-Obama post around here!
Really don't see how you can assume this is a pro-Obama post. Personally, I don't see how Obama, by any standard, meets the top 4. And of the other 4, the passion, conviction, etc. are all for things I couldn't support.
I personally don't know either candidate well enough to know if they fit these characteristics, but I'll leave that one lie. Great post, Sara! Our contemporary focus on skill set alone has not served well. Character matters?
A focus on skills makes sense when the job is highly predictable, a focus on the above traits makes sense when the job is less predictable. In the former you know exactly what your employee should be doing and the only question is can (s)he do it well or not. In the latter you really don't have any idea what they will be doing so you want to know if they can give you good reason to believe they will be better than average at making decisions.
If Jesus Christ were alive today, it is clear that he would vote for Obama - and NEVER vote for the evil that resides within the GOP.
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"In the know" proclaimed:
If Jesus Christ were alive today, it is clear that he would vote for Obama - and NEVER vote for the evil that resides within the GOP.
Jesus is alive today. If you don't know that, it's a bit hard to take the rest of your comment seriously. However, Jesus is not an American citizen, so He would not be eligible to vote in our election. :)
Nevertheless, as Romans 13 makes clear, we will get the leader whom God has chosen. And may God help us if He chooses Obama....
ACORN would find a way!
"And may God help us if He chooses Obama...."
If he chooses Obama, that might be help enough. If you are there, God, save us from the angry little old man and his dimwit protege. While you are at it, see if you can't do something about their supporters.
good stuff - we coach churches on these issues all the time. www.churchjoblink.com
When I read it I didn't know it was for hiring a president, but our current president elect can't pass #1. Seems to be OK in the other 8, but what's the point? Think of the butcher, baker, candlestick maker, wouldn't you still want someone of character?
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