In the pursuit of excellence, a coaching and mentorship agency that steers employees toward their professional aspirations and cultivates their dreams exists. Notably, the core mission of ‘Be the Best You’ is to embody virtue and character-based ethics inspired by Aristotle. As a coach and training committee member at ‘Be the Best You,’ I am creating three compelling scenarios focused on the golden mean, Aristotelian friendship, and eudemonia, each accompanied by three thought-provoking questions to engage and explore these concepts with our clientele.
Scenario 1: The Golden Mean – Striking the Right Balance
The concept of the Golden Mean revolves around finding equilibrium in one’s actions and behaviors. Markedly, as noted by Niemiec (2019), this concept encourages individuals to strike a balanced middle ground between extremes. For instance, consider Sarah, a dedicated software engineer at a fast-paced tech firm. Sarah is known for her exceptional work ethic and commitment to her projects. However, lately, Sarah has found herself increasingly overwhelmed by her workload. Sarah spends long hours at the office, often neglecting her health, hobbies, and friends.
Scenario Details
- Sarah’s dedication to her career has resulted in a significant imbalance between her personal and professional life.
- She struggles with chronic fatigue, no longer pursues her once-beloved hobbies, and rarely socializes with friends.
Open-ended Questions
- How would you assess Sarah’s current approach to balancing her personal and professional life?
- Can you identify any virtues or character traits Sarah may need to develop to achieve a more harmonious life?
- Explain how Sarah could benefit from applying the concept of the golden mean to her current situation.
Scenario 2: Aristotelian Friendship – Nurturing Meaningful Connections
Aristotle’s philosophy of friendship emphasizes the importance of nurturing meaningful and virtuous connections with others. As per Guggenheim (2023), Aristotle believed that mutual goodwill, shared values, and a sense of unity characterize true friendship. For instance, consider the friendship between Mark and Lisa, two colleagues at a dynamic marketing agency. While Mark and Lisa have formed a close bond outside of work, they face challenges due to their differing values and interests.
Scenario Details
- Mark and Lisa’s friendship is marked by occasional conflicts from their diverse backgrounds and interests.
- Despite their differences, both genuinely care about each other’s well-being and personal growth.
Open-ended Questions
- How can virtues be applied to strengthen Mark and Lisa’s friendship, especially given their differences?
- Reflect on a time when you encountered challenges in a friendship. How did virtues play a role in resolving those issues?
- How do Mark and Lisa’s efforts to nurture a meaningful friendship align with Aristotle’s perspective on the importance of virtuous friendships?
Scenario 3: Eudemonia – Pursuit of True Happiness
Eudemonia, a central concept in Aristotle’s ethics, is the pursuit of genuine and lasting happiness by cultivating virtuous character and meaningful life experiences. Markedly, as noted by Moore (2019), eudemonia emphasizes the importance of inner fulfillment over external validation. For instance, consider Alex, a highly successful lawyer who has achieved numerous career milestones. However, despite Alex’s professional accomplishments, he often experiences feelings of emptiness and dissatisfaction. Alex relentlessly pursues external validation and wealth.
Scenario Details
- Alex’s relentless pursuit of external success has left him feeling unfulfilled and perpetually stressed.
- Despite his achievements, he struggles to find genuine happiness and satisfaction.
Open-ended Questions
- In what ways is Alex’s pursuit of happiness at odds with the concept of eudemonia?
- How might the cultivation of virtues associated with eudemonia contribute to a more fulfilling life for Alex?
- Reflect on a personal experience where you prioritized external success over inner contentment. How did this choice impact your overall well-being, and what virtues could have helped guide your decision differently?
Conclusion
These three scenarios, focused on the golden mean, Aristotelian friendship, and eudemonia, exemplify the holistic approach to personal and professional development promoted by Be the Best You. Crucially, through these scenarios and accompanying open-ended questions, our clientele will gain a deeper understanding of Aristotle’s ethical theories and develop practical insights into how these virtues can positively impact their lives. Conclusively, achieving the best version of oneself necessitates striking a harmonious balance between personal and professional life, nurturing meaningful interpersonal connections, and actively pursuing genuine happiness.
References
Guggenheim, N. (2023). Friendship of virtue—the Place of true friends in the psychotherapeutic process. The American Journal of Psychoanalysis, 83(1). https://doi.org/10.1057/s11231-022-09389-0
Moore, C. (2019). What is eudaimonia? Aristotle and eudaimonic well-being. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/eudaimonia/
Niemiec, R. M. (2019). Finding the golden mean: The overuse, underuse, and optimal use of character strengths. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 32(3-4), 453–471. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2019.1617674
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