In reflecting on life in a recent essay, New York Times columnist David Brooks observed that we characterize ourselves by two types of virtues, resume virtues and eulogy virtues. "The résumé virtues are the skills you bring to the marketplace. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral." However, even though "we all know that the eulogy virtues are more important than the résumé ones," our culture and our educational systems focus on teaching "the skills and strategies you need for career success," leaving students clearer on how to build an external career than on how to build inner character.
Recognizing the merits in Brooks' observations, I adapted an assignment for students in my MBA and master's of public administration ethics classes that asked them to reflect on and create their own moral bucket list. Coming near the conclusion of learning and applying ethical theory, students have in their possession a body of knowledge you cannot pretend not to have. In other words, when taking a moral stand or making an ethical decision, they should be able to, and are responsible to, use this knowledge. So I ask them, in the manner of a bucket list, to develop "ethical wills," a much more common practice these days, with samples all across the web and progressive lawyers asking clients to include a list of intangible assets they wish to bequeath along with their tangible assets. Even the corporate world recognized almost a decade ago the value of an ethical will, as reported in Barron's.
So I ask my students to consider what advice, values, experiences they would bequeath loved ones.
I also ask them to consider types of knowledge (intellectual, emotional, spiritual) and apply what they have learned in class to their own experience.
I urge students to avoid speaking in broad platitudes and worn cliché. Rather they should make their examples and discourse personal and meaningful to their lives but with enough universal application to make it meaningful to others, also. Finally, I give students the option of selecting the genre or mode of presentation their ethical wills may take. The choices students make are as eclectic as they are imaginative even when choosing a conventional media like writing or video. Students have filed their wills in sacred settings and wearing sacred objects; they have put together mix tapes and video mash ups of favorite songs, photo albums, film clips, and literary quotes. The epistolary form is most common but the audience isn't always obvious. Sometimes it can be to a child not yet born or a parent about to cross over. A student who was a chef prepared and served a meal of evocative foods that he connected with comfort and love and another floral arranger made a tribute in which each botanical selection was associated with or served as a symbol of a virtue.
In the wake of the Warriors championship loss after a record-breaking season, an epic moment for my students in the San Francisco Bay Area, and as the teams prepare to return for the next season, I'd like to share some redacted highlights from the ethical will of former student who extracted his life lessons from basketball. Here are the recommendations from Tyler Morehead's ethical man-to-manifesto:
Play Fast and Loose
Enjoy life, every moment of it. We are at our best when we can embody being fully present in the situation. Try to limit your multitasking but not your potential.
Fearlessly take your shot
Do not let fear of failure hold you back. Push your boundaries and use your ability to adapt and learn a new skill. Expand your horizons and get a new perspective.
Be able to dribble with your left hand
Do not shy away from your weaknesses; identify them and embrace them so they no longer can be used against you. Navigate the situation with best skillset at that time.
Study the game film, Master your pregame warm-up
Eagerly prepare to reach goals; put in the time and effort when no one is watching. Remember to avoid short-cuts and build a strong foundational knowledge, analyzing a situation multiple times.
Defend hard in overtime
Be reliable. Meet deadlines and keep your word. Sustain earned credibility by working hard during the tough times and showing up when promised. Reliability builds grit and trust.
Remain in help side defense - always keep an eye on the ball and your man
Demonstrate loyalty. Family & my friends contribute to our success. Cherish time with my loved ones and honor their value.
When caught in a trap, be strong with the ball and find the open man
Stay strong with your beliefs and resist the temptation to compromise during stress. I will pivot your options and decide confidently and decisively what is the best solution without regret.
Don't drag your pivot foot
Do not take advantage of other people for your own benefit. Create followers instead of competitors, collaborators instead of critics.
A player who makes a team great is more valuable than a great player
Prioritize teams goals over personal goals. Listen more than speak and choose quality over quantity when providing feedback. Team goals are much more satisfying and enduring than individual goals.
Learn from your coaches
Appreciate the mentors who show up in your life, from grammar school teachers to God. Each reveals a unique way to opportunity.