Select one of the 7 habits from stephen covey book “seven habits of highly effective people” and provide a critical assessment of the implication of this habit in relation to both leadership practices and specifically how you would personally choose to apply this habit to deal potential leadership challenges in your role in work.
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
Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind
Habit 2 from Stephen Covey’s book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is “Begin with the End in Mind.” This habit emphasizes the importance of having a clear vision and purpose in order to guide one’s actions and decision-making. It encourages individuals to think about their long-term goals and desired outcomes before engaging in any activities or projects.
In relation to leadership practices, this habit has significant implications. Effective leaders understand the importance of having a clear vision for the organization or team they lead. They are able to articulate this vision to inspire and motivate their team members. By beginning with the end in mind, leaders can align their team’s efforts towards a common goal, ensuring that everyone is working towards the same desired outcome.
Personally, as a leader in my role at work, I would apply this habit to deal with potential leadership challenges by following these steps:
Define the desired outcome: Before tackling any challenge, I would take the time to clearly define the desired outcome or goal I want to achieve. This involves envisioning what success looks like and understanding the specific results I aim to accomplish.
Create a vision: Once I have defined the desired outcome, I would create a compelling vision that communicates the purpose and direction to my team. This vision should inspire and motivate team members, helping them understand the importance of their contribution towards achieving the end goal.
Develop a strategic plan: To deal with leadership challenges effectively, it is crucial to develop a strategic plan that outlines the steps and actions required to reach the desired outcome. This plan should be based on a thorough analysis of the challenge at hand and consider any potential obstacles or risks.
Communicate and involve the team: Transparent communication plays a vital role in effectively addressing leadership challenges. I would ensure that my team members understand the vision and strategic plan, providing them with clear expectations and responsibilities. Additionally, involving them in the decision-making process fosters ownership and commitment towards overcoming challenges together.
Monitor progress and adapt: Regularly monitoring progress towards the desired outcome is essential. As a leader, I would track key metrics and milestones to ensure that our efforts are aligned with the intended results. If necessary, I would be flexible and willing to adapt our approach based on feedback and new information.
The application of Habit 2, “Begin with the End in Mind,” helps leaders approach challenges with clarity, purpose, and strategic thinking. By establishing a clear vision and aligning actions towards desired outcomes, leaders can navigate obstacles more effectively and inspire their teams to overcome challenges together.
In summary, Habit 2 encourages leaders to have a clear vision, define desired outcomes, and develop strategic plans to tackle leadership challenges. Personally applying this habit would enable me to approach challenges in a more focused and purposeful manner, leading my team towards success by aligning our efforts with a well-defined vision and strategic plan.
