Paternalism part 4
For this final entry about paternalism, I want to focus on the following antidote:
- work on developing the ability to notice when you become defensive and/or insistent about doing something your way and do everything you can to take a breath; allow yourself room to consider how a different path or paths might improve your approach and/or offer you something you really need
I grew up with a concept that a leader is “above approach” or blameless. Often times I’ve heard this to mean that you can’t challenge a leader as if they are perfect. However, from my Christian background, I’ve understood it to mean that our habits and behaviors should not reflect poorly on the church. Knowing that we are not perfect and yet strive to be above approach, can lead to a confusing approach to leadership and paternalism. If we believe we ARE above approach that could translate to believing we are perfect and “better” than others. That attitude can translate to paternalism and many other harmful characteristics.
This is where the antidote comes into play. We have to be mindful of how we are impacting others and be mindful of how we react when we do have negative impact and creating inequity environments. We have to have confidence in what we are doing, but not so much that we refuse to adjust, admit mistakes, and insist that others should just follow you because of your position or authority over others. Paternalism and carrying a sense of authority will not get you the long term results that you may want.
