Parable of the Sadhu
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People have lost faith in major institutions like government, business, and religion because those institutions have failed to uphold their end of the social contract by not ensuring a smoothly operating society. The author argues that to rebuild trust and authority, institutions must be reformed to be more reliable and democratic, and an ethical framework must guide future decision-making. However, there is little compulsory ethics education currently in schools and universities.
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Parable of the Sadhu
- 2. Twilight of the Elites? People have lost faith in pillar institutions (i.e., government, business, the Church) because those institutions have broken a social contract where people grant power in exchange for a smoothly operating society. — Christopher Hayes, Editor, The Nation writing in Time Magazine
- 3. 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Military Police Medical System Supreme Court Court System Television News Banks HMOs Great Deal Quite A Lot Source: Gallup, June 7-10, 2012
- 4. Twilight of the Elites? What are we to do in the wake of this broad- based implosion? Reform institutions to reconstitute a more reliable and democratic form of authority. — Christopher Hayes, Editor, The Nation writing in Time Magazine
- 5. Twilight of the Elites? To build a more reliable and democratic form of authority, there also must be an ethical framework guiding future decision-making. It’s not being taught.
- 6. Compulsory Coursework is Minimal Graduate School Undergraduate School High School Survey of Greek Philosophers It’s Greek to me!
- 7. Parable of the Sadhu Backpackers in Nepal New Zealander discovers an unconscious Indian sadhu He was alive!
- 8. Parable of the Sadhu Carried below Snow Line Treated for Hypothermia Given Clothing B4F864F7 Food and Water Shown a Safer Path
- 9. Individual vs. Group Money at a Problem? Immediate Response Failure to Act is a Decision No One Can Quit!
- 10. Individual vs. Group Everyone has a Mountain Stress is the Real Test
- 11. Build the Foundation Leaders must encourage their organizations and support their employees. Encourage freedom of inquiry Support personal values Forge a common set of values, beliefs, and expectations.
Editor's Notes
- The Parable of the Sadhu first appeared in HBR in 1982.Story of a group of Western backpackers climbing the Himalayan mountains in Nepal.One morning, a New Zealander returned with a body slung over his shoulders.It was the near-naked body of an Indian sadhu—a wondering monk.No one knew why this may was in the oxygen-deprived space at 15,000 feet.He was unconscious, suffering from hypothermia, but had a pulse.
- The New Zealanders carried him below the snow lineThe Americans treated him for hypothermiaThe Swiss gave him clothing to warm himThe Japanese gave him food and waterThe Sherpas carried him down the hill and pointed out an easy pathWhat more could they do?
- Of was it “Throwing Money at the Problem?”The sadhu experience has parallels to business situations.KICKImmediate response was mandatory.KICKFailure to act was a decision.KICKNo one could resign and submit their resume to a headhunter.
- KICKThe key for me is that no one took responsibility—ownership of the problem.There was no acceptable resolution, groups acted as individuals.Everyone had a mountain to climbKICKThe sahdu was an obstacle—not the mountain itself.We see this in business all the time—private sector and public.“But we would treat him differently if it weren’t for the physical and mental stress.”KICKIsn’t stress the real test of personal and corporate values?