Spiritual leadership; leadership and strategy; The African Renaissance dream

We often feel the need to be encouraged by a few words of practical wisdom. Words such as the following: ‘He who watches the wind will never sow, and he who keeps an eye on the clouds will never reap … In the morning sow your seed betimes, and do not stop working until the evening, for you do not know whether this or that sowing will be successful, or whether both alike will do well’ (Ecclesiastes 11:4-6). Life is indeed unpredictable and sometimes it can be confusing and frustrating. To me the words are encouraging to keep sowing in my work as well as my relationships.

Leadership

You most probably know that leadership theories and views have gone through several phases of development. There was a time when physical appearances and leadership was linked. Then followed a long period of study and emphasis on the intellectual/strategic ability of the leader. More recently research showed the critical importance of emotionally intelligent leadership…and then followed the interest in spiritual leadership. To quote Gregory Konz and Francis Ryan: Spirituality in the workplace is more than a passing fancy; it is changing the fundamental nature of work. Individuals are searching for meaning in their work, a meaning that transcends mere economic gain. These individuals are looking to their organizational leaders to help them in their search, and organizations in turn are being challenged to maintain a spirituality (Journal of Organizational Change Management Vol. 12 No. 3, 1999, pp. 200-210). I believe the development is an indication of our desire to integrate our lifes more and to correct the one-sided emphasis on economic activity in the centuries since the coming of industrialisation. The question - for leaders in particular - however is what would responsible spiritual leadership in the workplace mean? The question can lead to interesting debates. At least one can start with the question: how well do I know my colleagues beyond those things that we share as part of a working relationship? Perhaps you have views on this that you would like to share?

Development: strategy

Ralph Stacey (in Strategic Management and Organisational Dynamics) gives an excellent exposition of how thoughts about organisation and strategy have developed over the years. He explains how strategic choice theory led to the belief that long-term predictability is possible if one is well informed and competent enough. When the inevitable surprise comes then this view leads to a search for whom to blame… since it must be due to ignorance, incompetence or some form of bad behaviour in that people did not do what they were supposed to do! A realistic view is that surprise is inevitable – no matter how well informed, competent and behaved everyone is. Instead of having a prescribed strategy, designed by the manager or senior executive, Stacey believes effective strategy emerges from the ongoing conversational life of an organisation. It then becomes important to stimulate and include other members’ thinking about the organisation. Individual and team leadership coaching is a very effective methodology to develop the strategic thinking capacity in an organisation. It enhances reflective as well as forward thinking and it creates the opportunity to participate in strategic thinking.

African Renaissance

Pixley ka Isaka Seme, one of the founders of the ANC, said the following as early as 1906:

The brighter day is rising upon Africa. Already I seem to see her chains dissolved, her desert plains red with harvest, her Abyssinia and Zululand the seats of science and religion, reflecting the glory of the rising sun from the spires of their churches and universities. Her Congo and her Gambia whitened with commerce, her crowned cities sending forth the hum of business, and all her sons employed in advancing the victories of peace, greater and more abiding than the spoils of war. Yes, the regeneration of Africa belongs to this new and powerful period. The regeneration of Africa means that a new and unique civilisation is soon to be added to the world. The most essential departure of this new civilisation is that it will be thoroughly spiritual and humanistic - indeed a regeneration moral and eternal.

These words depict an African Renaissance dream. Nearly a hundred years later one can be forgiven for feeling that the dream is indeed only a dream. However, I and most leaders I speak to believe that there are many signs that momentum for such a renaissance is building – slowly but surely. Does the leadership of our president in this regard give us the opportunity to also inspire our organisations to contribute to the African Renaissance dream? Indeed, in some way or another, we already do. But the conscious alignment with and commitment to the dream would be powerful. Your views?

May both your morning and afternoon sowing in November be successful. I hope to have my website ready before the end of the year.

Kind regards