Define the key concepts from book The New Public Service “Serving, not Steering Chapter 9 on human behavior in organizations. Then, compare and contrast the three perspectives concerning valuing people.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
Key Concepts from “The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering” on Human Behavior in Organizations
In Chapter 9 of “The New Public Service: Serving, Not Steering,” the discussion on human behavior in organizations delves into several key concepts that are crucial for understanding and managing individuals within a public service context. These concepts include motivation, organizational culture, leadership, communication, and conflict resolution.
Motivation
Understanding what motivates individuals is essential for enhancing their performance and engagement in public service organizations. Whether it be intrinsic factors such as personal fulfillment or extrinsic factors like rewards and recognition, effective leaders must grasp the complexities of motivation to empower their teams.
Organizational Culture
Organizational culture plays a significant role in shaping employee behavior and attitudes. A positive culture that values transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity can foster employee satisfaction and productivity. Leaders must actively cultivate a culture that aligns with the values and goals of the organization.
Leadership
Effective leadership is critical for guiding and inspiring individuals within public service organizations. Leaders who demonstrate integrity, empathy, and vision can positively influence employee behavior and organizational outcomes. By setting a positive example, leaders can instill trust and commitment among their teams.
Communication
Clear and open communication is vital for promoting understanding and cooperation within organizations. Effective communication channels facilitate the exchange of ideas, feedback, and information, fostering a collaborative environment where employees feel heard and valued.
Conflict Resolution
Conflicts are inevitable in any organization, but how they are managed can significantly impact employee morale and organizational effectiveness. Implementing strategies for constructive conflict resolution, such as mediation and negotiation, can help mitigate disputes and maintain a harmonious work environment.
Perspectives on Valuing People: A Comparative Analysis
In the context of public service organizations, valuing people is essential for promoting employee well-being, engagement, and organizational success. Three perspectives concerning valuing people include the human resources perspective, the relational perspective, and the strategic perspective.
Human Resources Perspective
The human resources perspective emphasizes the importance of investing in employees as valuable assets to the organization. It focuses on recruitment, training, development, and retention strategies to maximize individual potential and organizational performance. This perspective views employees as key contributors to achieving organizational goals.
Relational Perspective
The relational perspective centers around building strong interpersonal relationships within the organization. It underscores the significance of trust, respect, and collaboration among employees and between employees and leadership. This perspective values communication, empathy, and teamwork as essential components of a supportive work environment.
Strategic Perspective
The strategic perspective views valuing people as a strategic imperative for achieving competitive advantage and long-term sustainability. It aligns human capital management practices with organizational goals and objectives to drive performance and innovation. This perspective considers employees as critical drivers of organizational success and advocates for strategic investments in their development.
Comparison:
– The human resources perspective focuses on maximizing individual potential through HR practices.
– The relational perspective emphasizes building strong relationships and fostering a supportive work environment.
– The strategic perspective aligns human capital with organizational strategy to drive performance and innovation.
Contrast:
– The human resources perspective is more operationally focused on HR functions.
– The relational perspective prioritizes interpersonal dynamics and collaboration.
– The strategic perspective aligns valuing people with strategic objectives for competitive advantage.
In conclusion, valuing people in public service organizations is multi-faceted, encompassing HR practices, interpersonal relationships, and strategic alignment. By integrating these perspectives and recognizing the importance of motivation, culture, leadership, communication, and conflict resolution in managing human behavior, organizations can create a conducive environment where employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered to contribute to the mission and goals of the organization.
