Compassion or empathy for those who hurt us. That's the core of the forgiveness meme.
There are powerful implications for leadership communications. Those speakers and authors who want their message to resonate have to retrofit them for not reinforcing rage and retribution.
At one time it was okay to attack the far right. Blame Congress for certain regulations. Deride a tech chief executive officer as narcissistic. Now, it's smarter strategy to at least attempt to understand the dynamics. That mindset is becoming embedded in the national and global consciousness.
In 2014, Desmond Tutu and his daughter published "The Book of Forgiving." It follows many others on the market. Funding sources such as the Templeton Foundation are underwriting research on how hatred and anger undermine health. Yes, science and spirituality have joined on this message that understanding our enemies rather than getting even with them is essential for our individual health and that of nations.
It's gone grassroots. Say, "I hate Joe" and the odds are there will be silence. Everyone knows that's bad for you. Yeah, antipathy might be the new tobacco. Leaders have to recognize this shift.
This week I swung by a paid lecture in a small alternate church in the Southwest. The theme was forgiveness. The presenters emphasized the possible medical problems generated by unresolved resentments and the cravings for retribution. The room was packed.
The worst assessment in the media about a leader could be, "He/she doesn't know how to let go of hurt."
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