Adam Smith, the author of The Wealth of Nations, believed that “empathy is an intellectual activity that takes into account circumstances, motives, luck, social status, and human character of the person.” The moment we blame another person’s actions, we examine the appropriateness of those actions. Adequacy is a state of neither excess nor understatement. If everyone else thinks a person is bad but I advocate for that person by saying, “I can understand,” then I approve of their actions. This situation is called “mutual sympathy.” In our lives, we can be egocentric in some cases and relation-centric in others. The more mutual sympathy exists, the more relationship-oriented our thinking becomes. Both too much and too little can lead to tiredness or dissatisfaction. Pursuing happiness means finding this adequacy. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
When leaders are busy, organizations are at risk. Leaders who don’t acknowledge reality, who can’t make decisions and let time pass during conflicts, who can’t trust others, and who intervene in even minor matters exemplify incomparably incompetent leaders who disguise themselves with their own integrity to avoid failure. Leaders who fail to recognize their limitations and cannot delegate their responsibilities to others will harm both themselves and the organization while they keep their positions. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”