37 CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND FINDING MEANING AND PURPOSE It is important to note that being generative is different than being productive. Generativity involves a level of giving and sacrifice. Don Browning stated that “the principle of reciprocity is more marked with generative man than with productive man,” meaning both the giver and the receiver benefit. 17 A productive leader or educator may control, influence or guide, but a purposeful, generative leader will also receive personal benefits from giving herself away by means of both extrinsic and intrinsic reward. Figure 1. Seven features of generativity18 McAdams and de St. Aubin provided a seminal, integrable model of generativity (shown in Figure 1) that has been used widely in psychological research.19 The model includes seven psychosocial features that link an individual and society. An adult’s inner desire and a society’s cultural demand guide a concern for the next generation. Belief in the goodness of society helps the individual develop and commit to generative behavior that leads the individual to action and aids them in constructing a generative narrative over their life span.20 The Christian
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