The 2013 release of Man of Steel, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, sparked considerable debate among Superman fans and comic book enthusiasts. For some, the depiction of a brooding Superman seemed too similar to Batman. Others were unsettled by Superman’s choice to end General Zod’s life. Yet, some viewers appreciated the film’s ambitious scope and its portrayal of a hero grappling with his purpose. Despite the differing opinions, one theme in the movie resonated deeply with me.

Kal-El’s father, Jor-El, offered his son a profound vision and purpose. Jor-El declared:

"They can be a great people, Kal-El, if they wish to be. They only lack the light to show the way. For this reason above all, their capacity for good, I have sent them you... my only son."

Leadership often reflects this sentiment. Leaders arise within organizations to provide direction, enabling others to achieve greatness by recognizing and fostering their potential.

At its core, human dignity rests on the belief that every individual is made in the image of God. This foundational truth grants people an intrinsic worth and the capacity to flourish—in their relationships, creativity, and stewardship of the Earth.

Leadership, as I define it, is the ability to influence others through purpose, direction, and motivation to achieve shared goals over time. Effective leaders cultivate relationships to support goal achievement while implementing plans that sustain and enhance the group’s long-term success. Leadership styles vary—transactional, transformational, servant, and authentic leadership each offer unique methods to inspire and guide others. This diversity highlights that no single approach fits every context or individual.

Ultimately, leadership centers on human connection: one person influencing others. This connection is rooted in the shared understanding that all individuals possess dignity and value. Recognizing this has significant implications for nonprofit leadership.

First, affirming human dignity transforms workplace relationships. Leaders who treat employees with respect and acknowledgment create an environment where individual well-being is prioritized. Employees should experience a workplace culture where the language, values, and resource allocation demonstrate a genuine commitment to their dignity and development.

Second, fostering dignity improves team morale. When employees feel valued, they derive satisfaction from their contributions and from collaborating with others. Achieving challenging goals and celebrating those accomplishments together is deeply rewarding. Leaders can boost morale by publicly recognizing employee achievements, engaging in one-on-one conversations to address needs, and empowering employees to take ownership of the organization’s mission and vision.

Finally, organizational success relies on leadership that nurtures a culture of dignity and collaboration. Progress stems from effective planning and resource utilization, both of which depend on motivated and engaged individuals. When employees feel affirmed and the team functions with high morale, the organization is more likely to achieve its goals.

One practice I implemented at the end of staff meetings is called "Encourage to the Left." This activity invites each staff member to offer encouragement to a colleague of their choice. Everyone, including myself, has the opportunity to both give and receive encouragement. This practice underscores to the team that their emotional and psychological well-being is as vital, if not more so, than a project update or financial report.

How can leaders uphold and recognize human dignity in their organizations? Here are three practical steps:

1. Actively Listen: Create opportunities for informal and formal conversations where you focus on truly hearing your employees. Use open-ended questions to encourage them to share their ideas and concerns. Even if immediate action is not possible, listening fosters trust and respect.
2. Empower Employees: Provide opportunities for employees to take ownership of the organization’s vision and mission. Beyond their job descriptions, encourage them to plan, execute, and evaluate initiatives. Offer guidance, step back, and periodically check in—allowing them to grow and thrive.
3. Model Respect: Regularly recognize and appreciate employee contributions. This doesn’t require elaborate ceremonies; a simple thank-you or a word of encouragement during a meeting can have a profound impact. Over time, these actions cultivate a workplace culture of mutual respect and affirmation.

By adopting these practices, leaders can create environments where human dignity is not only acknowledged but celebrated, paving the way for personal and organizational growth.

​Human dignity—the immeasurable worth and value inherent in every individual—is a cornerstone of effective leadership. Leaders bear the ethical responsibility to cultivate workplaces that affirm this dignity and foster environments where people flourish. In 2025, let’s commit to leadership that recognizes and honors the extraordinary worth in every person we encounter.

I received the text on Saturday July 14, 2024 at 5:45 pm. “Trump got shot at.” I turned on my television and watched the replay of the assassination attempt. My immediate reaction was not concern for the welfare of the former President. Immediately my mind went to the state of our country. Silently, I have feared such an event could be possible in country.  Events which are more common place in Third World countries and unstable nations, are slowly becoming more common place in our country. 

In other places and other times I have written on the importance of civility.  Civility is a necessary to resolve conflicts and develop actionable solutions which are in accordance with human flourishing and human decency. As a virtue, our ability to practice civility can be invigorated by reminding ourselves each individual and group with whom we have interaction possesses a rich dignity. Our human dignity is a reflection of the imago Dei and the possession of this dignity is not limited to social, economic, political, or religious affiliation rather such possession is the reality of all persons from conception. If we allow the richness of our humanity to mediate our conversations with each other, either face to face or on social media, imagine the possibilities for our small city, state, and nation.

Assassination attempts, mocking the elderly for diminishing mental and physical health, destroying public and private property in order to gain a hearing, are all manifestations of a culture which has lost sight of human dignity and human flourishing. In our pursuit for such experiences like freedom, equality, equity, or justice, the easier and more damaging roads of verbal and physical violence are becoming the paths of choice.  There is no courage or honor in those who have chosen to navigate the roads of incivility taking as many citizen with them towards a devastating crash. Sadly, such decisions are those of wandering men and women who have lost focus and meaning for life. 
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Where are our eyes fixed as a nation? As human beings we are designed to move towards what our physical eyes have in sharp focus. As travelers need a fixed point or north star which will guide the navigational decisions, we as a nation need a fixed point.  It is a fixed which assists our efforts in decision making regarding the best direction for our local communities, states, and nation. Civility, in my estimation needs to be the star to which we point.  It is a star which does not consider gender, ethnicity, economic, or political class. Civility between citizens can offer a destination which will benefit as many individuals who are willing to take this road less traveled. 

The situation of men and women who are experiencing homeless in our state and across the nation has become more apparent since the pandemic of 2020.  Individuals and families have fallen from situations of housing stability resulting from increased housing costs, medical problems, and an inability to find work commensurate to what was previously earned pre-pandemic. Men and women from various backgrounds are now in the lived experience of homelessness. In the state of Arkansas, 2,459 persons experience homelessness, finding some form of relief within either emergency shelters or transitional housing (HUD 2022, Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Program Data). The lived experience of homelessness is a touch point regardless of gender, ethnicity, or health situation. 

​Persons who are experiencing homelessness possess what John F. Crosby describes as being “persons who are unrepeatable” (Crosby, 2019).  Individual persons who have found themselves standing on street corners to secure coins for hotel stays, who are accessing various local nonprofit and faith based services in our county, or sitting in a public school, are not to be lost in the category of homelessness. These individual persons can not be replaced as objects nor ignored to satisfy our individual comforts. Rather, these persons possess an outstanding unrepeatable quality which translates into 2,459 individual stories and experiences.  Individuals who possess a dignity and richness which is obscured by our focus on the experience and the associated stereotypes. Crosby asks each of us to take a moment and look beneath the tired eyes, the aroma, and the disruptive classroom behavior to see the unique quality of the person before our eyes.