Heart-Centred Leadership: Balancing Positivity with Collective Responsibility

Heart-Centred Leadership: Balancing Positivity with Collective Responsibility

My feed is full of personal development quotes and views. It is the world I live in, and I use much of this work in my executive coaching and training spaces at Dreem Coaching and Consulting, where we focus on heart-centred leadership, resilience, and growth. ?

I agree that focusing on positivity and growth is valuable. However, it’s important to consider that this approach often oversimplifies the challenges we collectively face, particularly for those without the privileges that a few of us enjoy. Focusing solely on “choosing the light” or “withdrawing from the negative” may be empowering on an individual level, but it risks becoming a form of selective attention that overlooks the harsh realities faced by others.

True thought leadership, like that of Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Hanan Ashrawi, Shereen Abou Akleh, and even Jesus Christ the man, is deeply rooted not in self-interest but in collective responsibility. These leaders never ignored the suffering or oppression around them. They confronted it directly, more often than not, at great personal risk. Their work was about lifting others, fighting systemic injustices, and acknowledging the real struggles of the oppressed. They didn’t simply “focus on the light”; they shone a light on darkness, naming it clearly and calling for accountability—a critical step in creating real, positive change.

Jesus, whom much of the Western world has adopted as their God, is a classic example whose teachings are often misunderstood. He didn’t turn away from suffering—he faced it head-on, challenging those who perpetuated pain and injustice. He didn’t merely “focus on the good” in a way that ignored reality; he channelled his anger, despair, love, and strength into direct action against the wrongs he saw.?

In the temple, for instance, he confronted corruption and exploitation, overturning tables in righteous anger to show that he would not tolerate actions that oppressed others. His teachings were also radical in their compassion and courage, constantly centring on the downtrodden, the marginalised, and that society had neglected. He spoke truth to power and stood up for those who could not stand up for themselves, fully aware of the personal risks involved. Jesus was a revolutionary—a man of action, unafraid for his own safety, and never one to whitewash situations or turn away from injustice for his own comfort. I repeat he knew exactly how to channel his anger and despair.

The modern personal development approach, particularly in Western spirituality, often advocates a mindset that, dare I say it, borders on escapism, where personal peace is prioritised over collective justice. When we focus solely on the “good” without acknowledging or addressing the injustices around us, we are contributing to a system that perpetuates harm against vulnerable communities. True spirituality and personal growth involve facing and acknowledging suffering and oppression.? Yes, it is painful to have to open our hearts to see what we have allowed to happen to others while we blissfully create our own wealth and comfort. But, only by integrating this awareness can we expand “good” in a way that benefits everyone, not just ourselves.

Real change comes from balanced awareness—understanding both light and darkness, good and bad. The leaders who have had a positive impact didn’t just imagine a better world; they engaged deeply with its injustices and worked actively to address them. I accept that not everything is our fault, but everything is our collective responsibility.?

If we continue to pursue only personal fulfilment while ignoring the collective struggles around us, we may one day find ourselves facing the same circumstances we once turned away from. Why wait until our privileges slip away? Real courage and leadership come from standing up now for others, and then we can ensure a future grounded in justice, truth, and compassion for all.

Reem Borrows ???????? (GAICD)

Author| Executive Coach| Heart Centred Leadership| Resilience| Sales Excellence| Motivation Architect|Speaker. Ask Me How We Can Help You Transform Your Team Through Enhanced Self-Awareness and Effective Communication

3 个月

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