Joy Leadership Lectures Featuring Dr. Matt Bloom

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and the Stead Center for Ethics and Values are sponsoring a series of lectures throughout the upcoming academic year on the theme of "joy." By “joy” we do not have in mind either a superficial cheerfulness or ecstatic bliss. Rather, it is more akin to a sense of peace and satisfaction that comes when one has done something that promotes the good of others; the good of neighbors; the good of the community. Our "Joy of Leadership" speakers are leaders in their respective fields who embody, and in some cases conduct research, this deeper understanding of joy.

On October 16, 2013, we welcome Dr. Matt Bloom, Associate Professor in the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, who will be giving a lecture entitled, "Happiness and Leadership." This is a part of our ongoing Joy of Leadership lecture series. He will speak in room 205 at 4:00 p.m. and all are welcome to attend.

I am pleased to have Dr. Bloom on campus with us and believe you will appreciate hearing of his ongoing work. Dr. Bloom conducts research in the area of the improvement of the human condition at work, with a focus on intrinsic motivation, happiness and meaning, and innovation. He received his B.S. in Psychology from Baker University, an M.A. in Organizational and Personnel Psychology from the University of Kansas, and a Ph.D. from Cornell University. He teaches undergraduate, graduate, and executive courses in innovation and workforce related topics. Matt researches well-being at work and is interested in what makes work a meaningful, positive life-enriching experience that fosters the highest levels of human excellence.

Recent teaching awards include the 2010 Joyce Award for Undergraduate Teaching Award, the 2011 Master of Nonprofit Administration Outstanding Teaching Award, and the 2011 MBA Outstanding Teaching Award. Bloom serves on the editorial boards of the Academy of Management Review and the Journal of Organizational Behavior. He also is an ad hoc reviewer for numerous research journals.

To learn more about this dynamic lectures series, go to www.garrett.edu/joylectures.

Dr. Philip Amerson, President
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Why Coaching?

Rev. Jim Haun

“I’m not sure I want to do this for the rest of my life.” That was the answer of a clergywoman when asked why she wanted to work with a coach. She was an accomplished, well-regarded professional in her ministry, known locally and nationally as highly effective. Yet, she had questions about direction, commitment and fulfillment. Sooner or later, all clergy who “stay the course” face those questions.

Effectiveness in ministry is a goal clergy seek. But, success is seductive. The systems in which we work ask for more and we are tempted to comply, becoming involved in so much in so many ways that we lose touch with the essence of who we are and the reason why we responded to the Call.

This was the situation of the clergywoman who came for coaching. So, we talked about her vision for ministry, her values, her gifts and strengths. She began to realize that many of the tasks she was taking on were drawing her away from her center, draining her energy, and turning ministry into a burden. In coaching she found a safe place to articulate her frustrations and redesign her ministry around what she had to offer instead of what everyone else wanted her to do.

She remains in ministry today. It’s not the same, though. She is learning to focus on what she does best and raise up others to fill the inevitable leadership gaps in the system. She is learning to integrate who she is with what she does. She is learning that she has choices about what she will do for the rest of her life and is courageously stepping into her vision for it.

Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary and Samaritan Interfaith Counseling Center have partnered to create and GPSS Leadership Coaching to help clergy and other leaders maximize their impact through exploring and expanding vision, unlocking potential and reaching desired goals with increased confidence, competency and commitment.

Coaching is a safe place where you can raise your own questions, explore options and begin to design a creative, proactive future. To connect with a coach trained in GPSS Leadership Coaching, or if you are interested in becoming a GPSS Certified Coach yourself, go to www.gpsscoaching.org or contact Jim Haun, Garrett-Evangelical’s Consultant for GPSS Coaching at james.haun@garrett.edu.

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Rev. Jim Haun is the Garrett-Evanelical Consultant for GPSS Coaching.