Monthly Archives: December 2009

Lashon Hatov – Good Speech

27 Sunday Dec 2009

Posted by in Ethics, mitzvot

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Do you practice Lashon Hatov? Do you actively try to identify good things to talk about when discussing things related to other people?

I have been reading Rabbi Telushkin’s “A Code of Jewish Ethics Vol 2” subtitled ” Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.” There is a section on Lashon Hatov and it has got me thinking. I like the idea.

I always find the negative so much more difficult to do than the positive. This is not to say that I do not try to avoid Lashon Hara (evil speech) but Lashon Hatov seems a worthy addition.

Lashon Hatov is not about giving compliments. Good speech is about trying to find good things to say about other people on a regular basis. For example, when you are with your spouse at the end of the evening, instead of discussing the days events that the children went through. Pick something positive and specific about each child to say. “Jacob had a really difficult day at school today but he was able to talk about it when he got home and we were able to work through the problems.” This is in contradistinction to “Jacob came home complaining about school and he was picking on his sister and it took us forever to calm him down.”

Or when you are talking about your boss, finding good things to say will go a long way to the commandment of “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Can you do this as much as your complain about other people? Let’s give it a try.

Firing People

22 Tuesday Dec 2009

Posted by in Ethics

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Have you ever been fired? Have you been somewhere where they “laid people off?” Terminated. Given the pink slip. Let go.

It is all so cowardly. That is why there are so many words to describe it. People are afraid to call it what it is.

The capital has run short. Expenses need to be brought down to meet the lack of revenue. Something needs to be cut so they decided to “reduce headcount.” You know “to shrink to grow.”

Don’t get me wrong. The people were not let go without any compensation. However, they were escorted out the doors without being given the time to pack anything. They were told their stuff would be sent to them. “Here is your folder, follow me to the door. Good bye.”

It seemed so “legal.” The lawyers were out. The executives came up. The systems were all shut down. It was lock down.

All the excuses were great. “Well what did you expect they need to protect their stuff.” “What other options did they have?”

I think that when it comes to people, we have a collective lack of creativity on how to solve problems. Just make it quick and do not show any emotions – that will be better.

Here is what I think should have been done ethically. I am not saying that this is easy but it would be more ethical. Approach the people that you would like to let go and offer them the package. Show them the problem and let them make an honorable decision to leave. I think you could find 100 people in the organization to leave under those conditions.

What would be the appropriate ethical way to let 100 people go in a 1500 person company?

Wise Men and Their Tales

09 Wednesday Dec 2009

Posted by in Jewish, Torah

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Wise Men and Their Tales – Portraits of Biblical, Talmudic, and Hasidic Masters by Elie Wiesel

I am not sure what to say about this book. I am plodding my way through and reading about each person. I am learning new things and perspectives.

I have not stopped reading but I am not getting inspired. I have not had many “ah ha” moments. I think that is what I want right now and I am not seeing it here.

Elie Wiesel has some great thoughts about our Biblical family. He has an interesting perspective and a wealth of knowledge to bring to each.

Has anyone else read this? What do you think?