Analysis of Humilitas - A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership by Dickson John - Book Report/Review Example

Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership: Summary Humility is the virtue which should be prized the most and efforts should be made to continuously enhance it throughout life. This is the principal idea promoted by John Dickson in his renowned book “Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership.” The main concept conveyed by the author is that humility should be made the bedrock of life, all relationships, and leadership. Humility is when a person willingly holds “power in service of others” (Dickson 2011, 24). It is stressed that no success can be achieved on these three very important levels of life, love, and leadership if the virtue of humility is not conscientiously incorporated and implemented. This helps to persuade people which can be very helpful for leaders in context of referent power (Dickson 2011, 69). Myriad examples of prominent historical figures are included in the book to establish this principle that humility contributed a lot in advancing their success and reputation. Good-hearted people gain confidence of others more easily than others who do not consider humility important (Dickson 2011, 139). The entire book is actually based on establishing the relationship between humility and a person’s personal and professional dealings. Dickson attempts to reinforce the importance of humility by promoting this idea that there is much chaos witnessed in the present day relationships and professional dealings because of the absence of humility. The entire attention is typically concentrated on oneself which is the opposite of humility. This is why genuine fulfilment is experienced very rarely in personal and professional relationships presently. Critique Though great importance is attached to the factor or virtue of humility by Dickson, but I believe that this can also become an obstacle in the way of gaining a competitive edge over others. In the present day global environment of fierce competitiveness, if people start thinking of themselves less, they can suffer drastic consequences. This is because others who think of themselves more can easily surpass them who prize humility more. Humility definitely helps a person gain more respect and reputation from others, but the author has not explained in detail if it really also plays a definite role in furthering one’s interests. This much is true that if a culture of humility is created in an organization or on any social level, many problems can be resolved because people will begin to think of others also. Attention will not be concentrated on personal interests, rather it will be spread out for the benefit of everyone. But, it can be very difficult to inculcate a sense of humility in everyone because of the innate dispositions of people to think and act in certain ways. If the virtue of humility is not exercised by everyone in an organization then, the few people who do are bound to suffer compared to the majority who does not. This is why in my opinion, focus should not be emphasized on humility alone to achieve success in love, life, and leadership. There are others virtues also which are just as much important or perhaps even more. A good concept promoted by Dickson in his book is that humility is not about thinking less of oneself, rather it seeks to motivate one to also think of others. This means that humility does not work to negatively interfere with a healthy sense of one’s abilities and interests. Many times people hesitate to exercise the virtue of humility because of this misguided concept that this can stop them from becoming prominent. This is why many examples of prominent figures are given in the book to make people realize the misguided nature of the concepts held by them. Humility is not about showing the willingness to make compromises all the time and putting all personal interests at stake. It is this definition of humility which discourages people from putting others’ welfare before their own. Humility not only helps a person to become more likeable sociably, but it also helps a person gain distinction in professional life. This is a very constructive concept presented by Dickson. This is because people have to deal with many losses due to not being able to concentrate attention on anything else but themselves. The author digs with acute intelligence into explaining how humility is a very effective antidote to egoistic tendencies. Too much importance attached to ego and too less importance attached to nobility or humility is a formula for failure. This is why humility should never be forgotten in personal and professional dealings. The author is right when he stresses people on establishing a relationship between humility and life. Evaluation The book authored by Dickson sufficiently contributes to the field of pastoral ministry. This is because the text is hugely beneficial on many levels. Despite some weaknesses, the book should be considered beneficial in a larger academic context. Pastoral ministers are leaders and leadership should be persuasive. People who consider humility important and make it an essential feature of their personalities are far better able to persuade others and influence their ways of thinking than others who try out other leadership methods. There is so much to learn about leadership for pastoral ministers from this highly insightful book. A wrong idea held by many ministers is that anyone can become a leader if there is a solid will to lead others. It is due to such wrong idea that churches have had to deal with many issues of leadership development over past many years. The book attempts to defy this wrong idea by arguing that leadership is not only about a will to lead others. Rather, a true leader attempts to willingly think of others. This willingness of the leader motivates people to think respectfully of him/her. This respect garnered in the hearts of others also plays a role in replacing their old ideas with new more beneficial ideas. This is how pastoral ministers can bring improvement in people’s lives. Humility is as essential to pastoral ministry as water is to life. This is why this book can hugely advantage many people seeking to bring a change in society as pastoral ministers. Bibliography: Dickson, John. Humilitas: A Lost Key to Life, Love, and Leadership. Zondervan, 2011. Read More