Take the next step in your calling...
Based upon trends in work and society, and research in my book, Conversations About Calling: Advancing Management Perspectives," I believe that it is important to understand and reclaim core ideas in the original definition of calling. Those seminal ideas have important benefits for individuals, organizations and society. Here, I share some of my thoughts about current events, musings and myths about calling, and integrate them with theory, theology, and philosophy to consider steps that we can take to become Specialists with Spirit. 
All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2017 Valerie L. Myers, Ph.D.

JULY 2017

Thomas Paine, Founding Father

Calling & the Character of Government Leaders
This 241st birthday of the United States is a good time to reflect upon Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' ideas about calling and the character of government leaders. Apparently, feeling called to lead doesn't make you fit to lead. 

“Men who look upon themselves as born to reign,  and others to obey, soon grow insolent; selected from the rest of mankind their minds are early poisoned by importance; and the world they act in differs so materially from the world at large, that they have but little opportunity of knowing its true interests, and when they succeed to the government are frequently the most ignorant and unfit of any throughout the dominions.”
                                                                                      Thomas Paine, Common Sense ​

JUNE 2017

Sport
​​In this political climate, the proliferation of statements like "the super bowl of politics," "winning the news cycle," "points on the board," and "crushing your opponents" are all halting reminders of Max Weber's warning:

"Where the fulfillment of the calling cannot directly be related to the highest spiritual and cultural values, or when, on the other hand, it need not be felt simply as economic compulsion, the individual generally abandons the attempt to justify it at all. In the field of its highest development, in the United States, the pursuit of wealth, stripped of its religious and ethical meaning, tends to become associated with purely mundane passions, which often actually give it the character of sport.  For of the last stage of this cultural development, it might well be truly said:' "Specialists without spirit, sensualists without heart; this nullity imagines that it has attained a level of civilization never before achieved." p182

Democracy is not a sport. Solemn testimony about national defense and sovereignty is not for the entertainment of spectators. Has our national obsession with sports, winning and acquiring wealth by any means led to vapid notions of "civilization" about which Weber wondered? Are you a specialist with or without spirit?

february 2017

Take Five
Sometimes, a calling is fulfilled by embracing diversions, rather than vigorously pursuing a career path. Because of a diversion, we celebrate the late, multi-Grammy Award winning vocalist Al Jarreau. Upon graduating from high school, Al Jarreau aspired to help and heal others, which led him to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and earn a Master’s Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation. For him, helping was central; music was peripheral --a pleasant, lifelong diversion. As a youth, Jarreau harmonized at home with his siblings; his mom played the piano. When relaxing from work as a counselor, Jarreau sang for fun with friends and in local clubs. Not until age 30 did Jarreau’s diversion become destiny -- with a lot of practice, skill, the right connections and good fortune. For decades, Al Jarreau has enthralled crowds around the world with his extraordinary musical stylings -- buttery ballads and energetic pop songs, punctuated with impeccable diction, mesmerizing vocal mastery and humor. Imagine what we would have missed if he had simply "stayed the course" of a counselor and had no other interests. I have enjoyed Al Jarreau's music, particularly one of his signature songs, “Take 5.” It reminds us to nurture our passions, remain open to new possibilities, and of the potentially life changing power of “diversions.”  Take 5 to appreciate his genius and consider yours. 

february 2017

Do your job! Do your job!  
At a recent town hall meeting, Utah constituents angrily shouted “do your job” at  congressman, Jason Chaffetz, Chair of the House Oversight Committee that investigates ethical malfeasance in government. The crowd’s outcry was in response to multiple ethical breaches, noted by both political parties. The first was an attempt to eliminate the ethical Oversight Committee entirely; the most recent the flagrant promotion of commercial products by a government official. But this wasn’t an anti-Chaffetz crowd nor partisan chants. This Republican congressman was elected by 75% of his constituents.  This was a primal scream from Chaffetz supporters for him to fulfill his calling as a congressman -- to be a Specialist with Spirit.  
 
Too often, romantic notions of calling as careerism, purpose and personal interest eclipse a more fundamental truth. Calling is not primarily about you; it’s about the work -- the moral, mundane and mastery eliciting aspects of a job. Therefore, living a calling means an enduring commitment to do your work and do it well, not merely when it’s convenient or advantageous. Why? Because the work is necessary, whether or not we are fully aware of its ultimate impact. Chaffetz’s constituents expressed a deep longing for him to be a Specialist with Spirit that displays the same vigor, veracity, and vocational excellence now, that he’s demonstrated a capacity for against political opponents.
 
Regardless of whether you are a congressman or a cook, becoming a Specialist with Spirit means honoring and courageously adhering to ethical standards; completing mundane duties, even when it’s inconvenient and requires sacrifice; and demonstrating mastery in your profession. Other people are counting on you to do your job! 

January 2017

The Original Idea of Calling | What, Why & How
“the Lord bids each one of us in all life's actions to look to his calling.” John Calvin - Institutes of the Christian Religion, 1536

Calling is often casually referred to as purpose, passion or career choice. This individualistic, and somewhat narcissistic, focus on feelings and preferences may energize the personal quest for a mystical "what" but greatly diminishes the practical, spiritual and social value of a calling (as we'll explore in future posts). John Calvin's ancient definition indicates that a calling is far more expansive. Calling is, foremost, a way of life. Generally speaking, calling is a moral identity that influences our behaviors across multiple settings -- at home, in communities, in service to others -- and at work. This moral identity is the spirit that animates how and why we behave as we do in every area of life.

Moral identity is not inherently good, bad or indifferent; its positive or negative essence depends upon who and what has influenced us. According to sociologist Max Weber, many different people, groups and organizations influence the how and why of our calling throughout our lives-- for better or for worse. Regarding how, different people define what is acceptable, ethical,and expected behavior. Regarding why, different people offer meaning, reasons and incentives for adhering to those behaviors norms. Therefore, a calling is not inherently religious and our spirit can be animated in the best and worst possible ways. However, as Calvin notes, the spirit that animates a true calling is influenced by our relationship with God, which is informed by religious education and/or the highest ethical principles.  This is the Spirit of a calling.​