Leadership and the spiritual challenge
As our world grows more chaotic and unpredictable, we are forced to ask questions that have, historically, always been answered by spiritual traditions. How do I live in uncertainty, unable to know what will happen next? How do I maintain my values when worldly temptations abound? What is the meaning of my life? Why am I here at this time? Where can I find the courage and faith to stay the course?
We are being called to encounter life as it is: uncontrollable, unpredictable, messy, surprising, erratic.
Vocation or a calling acknowledges that there is something going on beyond our narrow sense of self. It helps remind us that there's more than just me, that we're part of a larger and purpose-filled space.
The stronger our sense of vocation, the more resilient and courageous we are. And we can only develop a sense of purpose or vocation from believing in a power and order greater than our own.
People press their leaders to stop the chaos, to make things better, to create stability. And even leaders who would never become dictators, those devoted to servant leadership, walk into this trap. They want to help, so they exert more control over the disorder. They try to create safety, to insulate people from the realities of change. They try and give answers to dilemmas that have no answers. No leader can achieve this, and it is always liberating to realize that.
As leaders we must help people move into a relationship with uncertainty and chaos. We must enter the domain of spiritual traditions if we are to succeed as good leaders in these difficult times.
The following are principles that describe essential perspectives, beliefs, and work for leaders now. Each of these comes from spiritual thinking and traditions
Life is uncertain
Learn to expect change. When leaders give people time to reflect on their personal life experiences, they notice that they've changed many times in their life. They know how to do this. They also may notice that at those times when they've "let go", they haven't died.
Life never stops teaching us about change. As leaders, hopefully we can be gentle guides and coaches so that people discover their own life's wisdom.
Life is cyclical
We move from the old to the new. Only as we pass through the cycle of chaos. Leaders need to help people stay with the chaos, help them walk through it together, and look for the new insights and capacities that can emerge
Meaning is what motivates people
Create time for people to remember why they're doing this work. What were we hoping to accomplish when we started this? Who are we serving by doing this work?
Pause for a moment and reconnect with the initial idealism and desire to serve that led us into our profession. Our energy and rededication is only found there, in our ideals.
Service brings us joy
There is nothing equal to helping other people. In service, we discover profound happiness.
The joy and meaning of service is found in every spiritual tradition.
Courage comes from our hearts
When we are deeply affected, when our hearts open to an issue or person, courage pours from hearts.
We have to be engaged at the heart level in order to be courageous champions. As much as we may fear emotionalism, leaders need to be willing to let their hearts open, and to tell stories that open other peoples' hearts.
We are interconnected to all life
As leaders, we act on this truth when we're willing to notice how a decision might affect others, when we try and think systemically, when we're willing to look down the road and notice how, at this moment, we might be affecting future generations. Any act that takes us past the immediate moment, and past our self-protective ways, acknowledges that there's more to life than just us. Asks yourself: "Is this decision going to bring people together? Will it weave a stronger web? Or will it create further disintegration and separation?" In what I am about to do, am I turning toward others, or turning away? Am I moving closer, or am I retreating from them?
We can rely on human goodness
Do you believe in the great generosity and caring of humans?
Can our collective challenges be overcome by the hope, resiliency, and love that is found in the human spirit?
In your own leadership, what qualities of people do you rely on?
We need peace of mind
All spiritual traditions teach us ways to find peace of mind and acceptance. In the research on mind-body health, cultivating peace is a prerequisite for health. And who do we like to be around? Do we seek out angry or peaceful people? Do we find relief in noise or in quiet? As leaders, we need to find ways to help people work from a place of inner peace, even in the midst of turmoil. Frantic activity and fear only take us deeper into chaos. Few of us want to work as crazily as we do; most of us hate meetings where tempers boil over. Brief moments of silence can work wonders-silence is truly the pause that refreshes.
Abbreviated – Dr Margaret Wheatley - Leadership in Turbulent Times is Spiritual, 2002