By: Andy Hale on December 6, 2022
Since 2016, I have hosted a weekly podcast through our denomination. I sit with authors, theologians, journalists, sociologists, psychologists, or practitioners each week to discuss relevant topics for congregational leaders, clergy, and churches. I also have the privilege of over 20 publishing houses sending me advanced reader copies of hundreds of books throughout the year,…
By: David Beavis on December 6, 2022
“He is the kind of man I want to be like when I am in my senior years.” These words came to mind as we were at the Desmond and Leah Tutu Exhibit. Tutu was a man of remarkable depth, love for people, and a zest for life. How his character formed into such a…
By: Henry Gwani on December 4, 2022
Speaking Truth to Power argues about the importance of upholding the truth in any society. Written by James O’Toole, a professor of business and respected author, the whitepaper calls us to first, like a whistle-blower, lead change by fearlessly speaking up in promotion of the truth. This reminds me of the courageous stand taken by…
By: Mary Kamau on December 4, 2022
In a world where it is more fashionable to fit in than stand out, who will walk the tightrope that is integrity? The Bible says in Proverbs 10:9, “One who walks in integrity walks securely but one who perverts his ways will be found out.” It is the sure way to safety, but few are…
By: Laura Fleetwood on December 4, 2022
Shame is a universal emotion in the human experience. It is not a pleasant emotion, nor is it typically a helpful one. Shame guru, researcher Brene Brown, states that, “shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love, belonging, and connection.” (1) Author Shelby Steele…
By: Daron George on December 4, 2022
*Please forgive me for the long and late post but this one was hard….professors please don’t count these few words toward my word count..haha” Intro In his book “Shame: how America’s past sins have polarized our country.” Steele makes a case that the issue of America’s past (namely racism) has diminished dramatically, if not altogether.…
By: Alana Hayes on December 4, 2022
I’ve sat in silence while writing this blog for over a week. I read the entire book of Steele, and still did not feel like I was authorized or entitled in the slightest to complete the assignment. I then decided that I would listen to it audibly to see if I could hear it another…
By: Michael O'Neill on December 2, 2022
My Personal Take on Racism It is no secret that America has a long and complicated history with race. For centuries, America was home to slavery and racism, two issues that continue to plague the country to this day. This history has created a divide between the races in America, and segregation can be…
By: Chad McSwain on December 2, 2022
Conviction is what I felt as I read Shelby Steele’s Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country. This kind of conviction leads to examination of thoughts, behaviors and even societal tendencies, particularly those that have been participated in, while being unaware. In this book, Steel names the very thing that should convict us…
By: Denise Johnson on December 2, 2022
My honest initial response on the topic of speaking truth to power was avoidance. In my eyes this phrase triggers an image of someone screaming their personal truth at anyone that disagrees with them. James O’Toole’s article “Speaking Truth to Power: A White Paper,” [1] dislodged me from my high horse to my own personal…
By: Jenny Steinbrenner Hale on December 1, 2022
Truth be told, I could not figure out how to apply my quick-read formula to Shelby Steele’s Shame, How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized Our Country. I read the entire book, carefully, cover to cover. I feel like I need to read it again. Summary of Steele’s Book Steele presents an in-depth, well thought out…
By: Caleb Lu on December 1, 2022
Shelby Steele’s Shame: How America’s Past Sins Have Polarized our Country attempts to address the historical reasons behind the rise of modern liberalism (primarily White moral guilt), which he believes is the primary driving force behind modern racial inequality, and why the freedom offered by conservatism is the answer.[1] Steele goes on to address what…
By: Tonette Kellett on December 1, 2022
Shame Shelby Steele’s book, Shame, was a thought-provoking read this week. The story of the author’s personal journey during America’s tumultuous fight for Civil Rights in the 1960s and following was captivating. While I certainly agree with his father, who was the son of a man born into slavery, that we shouldn’t “underestimate America ……
By: Jonathan Lee on December 1, 2022
James O’Toole is a distinguished professor of business ethics, and his research and writings have focused on the areas of leadership, ethics, corporate culture, and philosophy. In his discussion, Speaking Truth to Power: A White Paper, Dr. O’Toole drew a couple of key insights into the ethical practice of speaking truth to power in the…
By: David Beavis on December 1, 2022
An enlightening video of Berkley Law Professor Khiara Bridges and Senator Josh Hawley emerged on the internet this summer. In this video of the senate judiciary hearing on abortion access and the law, a tense exchange between Prof. Bridges and Sen. Hawley ensued.[1] The debate centered on transgenderism and the ability of men to become…
By: Becca Hald on December 1, 2022
I am racist. Yes, I admit it. I struggle and push against my racism. I do not want to be racist, but it is there. In a recent conversation with a friend of mine, I told her that I think that anyone who claims to not be racist is racist. We all have minor or…
By: Elmarie Parker on December 1, 2022
James O’Toole is a well-known professor and long-time thought leader in the world of leadership and ethics. His background in social anthropology has prepared him well to interpret social, political, and economic change to both business and elected leaders. He has also consulted with and/or coached numerous organizational leaders and their teams through times of…
By: Troy Rappold on December 1, 2022
James O’Toole wrote, “Speaking Truth to Power: A White Paper” for the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics in October, 2015. The Markkula Center is located at Santa Clara University, a highly regarded Catholic, Jesuit University in California. Dr. O’Toole has been a prolific author during his distinguished academic career, holding academic appointments at the University…
By: Roy Gruber on December 1, 2022
In “Speaking Truth to Power: A White Paper,” James O’Toole addresses the risky dynamic of challenging leadership in the context of business and governmental structures. His premise argues for a “culture of candor” that demands leaders to hear the critique that is often difficult.[1] O’Toole offers ethical boundaries for leaders and those seeking to…
By: Nicole Richardson on December 1, 2022
“Truth will set you free”; “Speak the truth in love”; “Speak truth to power”; These three well known phrases are the foundation of the book, Transparency: How Leaders Create a Culture of Candor. Transparency is made up of three essays written by Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O’Toole. Their goal is to encourage leaders to…
