In laying the foundation of the United States of America and all its laws, constitutions, bills, etc., one phrase reverberated throughout the hearts and minds of forefathers: "the pursuit of happiness" (Burns, 2003, p. 227). Francis Hutcheson believed pursuing and attaining happiness was a sacred right that must be granted to all humanity, citing that … Continue reading Pursuing Joy in a Broken World

One of the largest examples of unity through shared values seen throughout history is found within the Christian faith as it moved and adapted from various other religions and ideologies (Burns, 2003, p. 200). Many of the practices were adopted from Judaism, Catholicism, pagans, and philosophers and were molded into what is seen today (Burns, 2003, … Continue reading The Psychology of Values in Leadership on the Individual and Collective Levels

Throughout life, we find paradoxes - contradictions that demonstrate both sides of issues and deepen our understanding of the world around us in new, challenging ways (Burns, 2003, p. 186). Often, we think about the paradoxes of joy and suffering, happiness and unhappiness, love and hate, meaningfulness and meaninglessness, etc. We think about things that … Continue reading Unity in Conflict through Peace-Making, Non-violence, & Emotional Understanding

Time and time again, we hear a call for leaders who are engaging, charismatic, relational, and inviting (Burns, 2003, p. 181). Sometimes that call is answered, and sometimes, it is not. We can all think of people, historically or personally, who have talked a good game but ultimately, have fallen flat in their leadership. Why? … Continue reading Creating a Cycle of Perpetual Empowerment & Affirmation

Often, leadership and followership seem self-explanatory: Leaders lead, followers follow, and everyone gets along, and everything changes for the better (Burns, 2003, p. 170). In reality, the distinction and characteristics between leadership and followership are much more nuanced. We may sometimes think that the only critical or integral part of the functioning of a group … Continue reading When the Student Becomes the Teacher

For hundreds of years, the question, "Why is humankind creative?" has been asked (Burns, 2003, p. 157). Explanations of all components of what makes us living, breathing humans have been given, though nothing definitively, concretely, or without opening up a whole other debate about what that creativity entails. Aristotle argued that it came forth from … Continue reading Why is Humankind Creative?

One of the most intricate and difficult to understand aspects of life is human behavior and what drives it. For years, researchers have developed new concepts, ways of thinking, and theories that definitively explain how human needs and wants are manifested into our actions and behaviors (Burns, 2003, p. 148). Freud first theorized that humans had … Continue reading Innate Motivations & How They Drive Our Aspirations