I've been thinking about the concept of 'trickle-down' theories lately, and the pitfalls of such. I'm sure growing up in a family of simple, working-class, democtrats has given me some bias against trickle-down economics, but I've been thinking of it more from a leadership standpoint.
'Trickle-Down Economics' (or supply-side economics) is, of course, the idea that giving tax breaks to the most wealthy (individuals and businesses) will then generate more jobs and lower-priced products, thus benefitting everyone. It may have some merit as a theory, but has fairly obviously resulted in nothing more than creating a wider disparity between rich and poor. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer, and the middle-class is really the only thing trickling down - into the lower class. Even Ronald Reagan's budget director eventually fessed to the fact that 'supply-side' was just another name for 'trickle-down' economics.
It would be easy to say that good ol' American greed is the culprit in the trickling trouble, but I'm wondering if it's something else. Certainly there are greedy grinches who have no intention of helping those in the gallows below, but there are also some very kind and well-intentioned well-to-do whose funneling fails just the same.
WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH LEADERSHIP?
I believe many of our leadership theories and practices work from much the same principle as trickle-down economics. Regardless of whether you are talking about the business world or the church (is there a difference?), it seems so much focus is placed on those at the proverbial "top," and inevitably the flow is stopped or mis-directed at some point before it reaches the "bottom."
I suppose what started me thinking about this was the local YMCA community where I work. Since my wife works in the administrative office I have been privileged to rub shoulders with some of the folks "at the top." As a part-time employee I was also required to attend the "Y Welcome" class which all employees are required to do so we can learn what the Y is all about.
Let me be clear that I am all in on the Y's mission and values and have great respect for the people who put these things together and try to instill them throughout the entire company. That said, though, being someone who works on the lower end of the spectrum, there is a definite disconnect between what the "big dogs" are pushing.... and what the "bottom feeders" are delivering. The trickle-down theories - or vision & values - are not making their way to the people on the ground working in the local facilities (with some exceptions, of course).
WITHOUT A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THOSE AT THE TOP AND THOSE ON THE GROUND, THE MESSAGE IS NOT GOING TO MAKE IT.
I see this as the problem with any type of "trickle" theory. If the wealthy cannot relate to the poor (and vice-versa), there is never going to be an economic system that works for everyone. Likewise, company leaders who have no relationship with their average workers and what they face are never going to see their vision and values passed on - however good those may be.
If you want to take it into the church world, I suppose you could equate it to church leadership expecting to pass on the making of disciples by simply 'telling' people to make disciples, or even telling them 'how.' But if people are never shown, if it is never exemplified, or if there is no exchange of feedback and input, I believe we simply end up with more of what we've got.
WHAT TO DO?
I do not claim to have a solution, and it's simplistic to suggest we all "just get along and work together." However, I think we have somehow got to try! Whether we are talking bi-partisan politics, business ethics, or making disciples, working against one another doesn't seem to accomplish anything - at least anything good.
Isn't there a way to get parties to participate together in solving problems, to establish teamwork in the working world, and to abide together in Christ? I'm not suggesting full-on socialism, or a leaderless land, but simply seeing one another as human beings. Learning to listen; respecting our differences; perhaps even planting seeds of positivity about this place called earth so we make life just a little better for everyone.
I don't know.... It sounds cliche and people have been dreaming this dram for centuries, I know.... but what's the alternative?
A SIMPLE SUGGESTION
I know this won't solve anything, but I've been reading a book on listening. Actually, I seem to be hearing a lot about listening lately. I've been trying to put it into practice little by little. It's not always easy, and I often forget, but I thought these fews thoughts were helpful*:
- It is a listening skill to acknowledge the person who is talking.
- It is a listening skill to help keep the conversation going.
- It is a listening skill to show some approval of the other person and what they are saying.
- It is a listening skill to be able to feed back to the other person what they said and intended rather than what you selected from what they said.
(*Richard Dimbelby and Graeme Burton, More than Words: An Introduction to Communication, as shared in Lynne Baab's book The Power of Listening)
So, that's just some stuff I was thinking about.
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