21st Century Leadership

There is no doubt the world is changing. As the economy collapses, environmental issues become priorities, and ethics and values come into the focus of the world, there is a real desire for a new world order. The problem is of course, the old world order wants to cling on to the way things have always been. Sometimes the resistance to change is because of fear of the unknown, and sometimes it is to preserve an outdated identity.

The way we work and interact with each other will have to change, if we are to move forward in a less destructive, careless way. No longer can the old values of self-interest, personal competitiveness and results at all cost be sustainable. Values, collaboration, responsibility and a recognition that we are all in this together must prevail.

We are all leaders for someone. It might be our organisation, our family, our children, our partner, our pupils, our siblings, or even our elders. We are all in relationship with each other and to that extent we all demonstrate who we are, and what we believe to someone. Like it or not, who we are impacts someone else. Like it or not, who we are impacts our society, our environment and our world. Depending on how much you accept responsibility, will determine whether you take up the challenge, or leave it for others to do so. Leaving it for others to do so is the old world order. Leaving it for others to do so is abdicating responsibility and giving away your individual power.

As a leader, you always have choices, even though it might not feel like it at times. When things are horrendous, you still have a choice. You might not always appear able to determine what is happening in your life, but you always have a choice about how you react to what is happening. This is a real challenge in the new world order, because the easy and most commonly used way is to blame someone else. A great demonstration of giving meaning within adversity is Viktor Frankl. For more information about his life and his work, click here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl

As human beings, we always have the choice of two minds. One is the mind of the ego. The ego represents the mind that has self-interest and personal needs as its priority. The ego is fear based and demonstrates a lack of love and caring. It represents a belief of powerless and a need to dominate in order to retain a feeling of power that it simply doesn’t have. Unfortunately we all have access to and use the ego mind at times. We may wrap it up and try to disguise it as something loving, but it never is at its core. There is no need for any human to feel bad about making choices in the ego, it really is nothing, but we don’t understand that unless we have really looked at it. But as we become aware of it, we can relinquish our choices made from ego. Paradoxically, when we do make choices with the ego, we feel guilty. Although it’s simply an ego trick to keep you feeling powerless.

The good news is that we also have the mind which is our true nature. This mind is loving, cares about others, realises we are the same underneath everything. It is self-love, and it realises that true power comes from within. The true mind brings us peace, love and happiness. It recognises that our relationship to everything comes from love. The true mind is the heart and mind joined in oneself and with each other. If we are not using our true mind, then it is because we are afraid of losing our personal identity. Some will think that the leading from the true mind seems fluffy and unrealistic, but actually it is tough and shows strength of real character. It is indeed the road less travelled.

So in the new world, true leadership will come from those who are able to access the true mind. This can be a tall order for some people, but a necessary step. Some of the attributes of a true leader are:

• Self-Awareness – An understanding of the choices and impact of choosing between the ego and the true mind.
• Resilience – resilience against the ego thought system and the pressure to conform to the old way
• Ability to tap into the true mind – having a method of accessing the true mind
• Humility – A recognition that we are all in it together and an appreciation that their choices matter and therefore they choose carefully and with humility
• Vision – A vision borne out of collective interest and not self interest
• Responsibility – a no blame culture in every situation. The victim and persecutor dynamics are dissolved.
• Generosity – kindness, their inclusivity – not excluding anyone, sharing, realising everyone’s true innocence.
• Wisdom – understanding when to let go and when to pursue
• Non – Judgemental – realising that everyone is either acting from their true mind, which is love, or their ego mind which is lack of love.

And finally they will have to have courage. The personal identity in our make-up and culture is the norm. The true leader has to have the courage to put their head above the parapet and challenge the norm, whilst respecting everyone’s right to choose. No mean task.
Are you a leader? Do you have examples of great leadership? What are your views? I’d love to hear from you.