Empowering Black Men through KaIRas Leadership
"This new model of KaIRas Leadership coaches Black men to do justice to ourselves and our communities, honoring the legacy and learning from our Ancestors, and assuring the integrity and capacity of future generations to be resilient leaders in the new and challenging realities that lie ahead."
Creating Space for Good Things
Leaders who follow the KaIRas approach aim to make room for positive change by providing both financial and non-monetary resources for the greater good. They do this by setting an example, allowing people to express their pain, ensuring everyone's dignity is respected, standing up against injustice, seeking spiritual completeness, and simply affirming the importance of Black people. In the past, these responsibilities defined the roles of Black male leaders within and beyond the church. However, striving for such leadership has often resulted in generational trauma, with the memories of assassinated and lynched Black men serving as painful examples of the consequences of seeking empowerment and dignity. This collective trauma now stands as a barrier to the much-needed revitalization of Black male leadership. We are currently in a "KaIRas Moment," and the presence of healthy KaIRas Leaders is crucial if we are to excel and continue leading the world, as we have historically. The fundamental goals of KaIRas Leadership coaching are to understand ourselves and heal ourselves.
Emulating Decayed Leadership Models
In the past, Black male leadership often emulated models that have now lost their relevance. These models were once upheld by spiritually grounded, culturally consistent, and community-relevant figures, much like those celebrated in William J. Simmons' 1887 book, "MEN OF MARK, EMINENT, PROGRESSIVE AND RISING." Many of our role models, both in the past and today, have been Black clergy members, as the Black Church has played vital roles in society and spirituality, even when societal norms were discriminatory. Black survival, amid prolonged persecution and policing that originated from slavery and slave-catching, led many Black male leaders to develop an unhealthy sense of ego. Because they needed validation and encouragement to affirm their worth and dignity as oppressed individuals, Black male leaders often failed to demonstrate when it was appropriate to set aside their egos. In contrast, KaIRas leaders challenge the underlying assumptions of leadership itself. They understand that patriarchal systems, privilege, social status, and the pursuit of wealth need to be closely monitored to prevent their harmful effects on human well-being.
A Paradigm Shift in Leadership
The traditional model of leadership was based on the concept of a powerful, paternalistic figure, often of Caucasian descent, who made decisions and held significant power. This model promoted the accumulation of resources and the distribution of rewards based on societal norms and expectations. While this model has recently evolved to include women and previously excluded minority identities and perspectives, it still falls short in recognizing the full value of team members with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. Organizations primarily prioritize their overarching goals, leaving investors and stakeholders to define the specifics. However, growing stakeholder expectations, complex task execution on a global scale, and the digital transformation have highlighted the need for a revised leadership model. The old model also contributed to many of the environmental issues we face today. Black men, who have experienced the negative consequences of this outdated model, can offer valuable insights for personal development and promote mutual understanding for human fulfillment across cultures.
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Prioritizing Justice and Wholeness
In the KaIRas vision of leadership, justice means finding the best ways to take care of everyone, including all living beings, in our global reality. KaIRas Leaders consider not only human interests but also the well-being of all life and the integrity of Creation. Leaders must continually reevaluate themselves, their partners, and their methods of rewarding collaboration toward ever-evolving goals. Instead of self-indulgence, which is an outdated motivation for collaboration, KaIRas Leaders emphasize personal respect, appreciation for individual dignity, and recognition of group talents and insights as they work toward just and meaningful goals. A KaIRas leader must embody the Socratic dictum to "Know Thyself" and continually deepen their humility through a growing awareness of their own limitations.
Learning from Diverse Cultures
I have learned this leadership model from my travels to more than 27 nations and from humbling experiences with indigenous peoples around the world. The KaIRas Leadership model arises from the acknowledgment of the harm caused by the obsolete leadership model. This new approach to KaIRas Leadership aims to guide Black men in treating themselves and their communities fairly, respecting the legacy of our ancestors, and ensuring the strength and resilience of future generations as they navigate new and challenging realities.
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