Leading From Love with Rumi (and Chris Parker…)

Rumi is one of the most influential poet and thinker of a region going from Turkey, Middle East to the Indian Continent (even in the USA, where he is considered the best selling poet!). Born in what previously was Iran on the 13th Century he was celebrated as a wise man, jurist, theologian, poet and Sufi mystic. The most remarkable symbol I keep from Rumi’s life was that his… death was mourned by a multitude of people, from all confessions, Christians, Jews and Muslims… a true Bridge Builder!

Chris Parker is one of our Enablers Network Partners. An IT expert, celebrated for his Change and Engagement practices, he is one of the pillars behind the rejuvenation and transformation of our Enablers Network. He and Marvin Faure, patiently coached me during that challenging, transformative phase, which saw me give the name and brand Enablers away to our new Enablers Association, so that every one of us could feel an influential, impactful and emotional owner of the organisation and its purpose.

When Chris decided to write a book on Rumi, his love poems and “Leading from Love”, I warned him it would be difficult and challenging… Months later, the delivery happened and I am impressed by its results (Lead from Love with Rumi). This is the brief analysis I had from it on ChatGPT:

“Leading from Love by Chris Parker explores the concept of leadership rooted in compassion, empathy, and authenticity. In the book, Parker emphasizes the power of leading from a place of love rather than fear or control. This approach is about valuing individuals, cultivating relationships, and prioritizing well-being in the workplace, which, in turn, fosters a positive environment for personal and professional growth.

Parker's insights align with emotional intelligence principles, stressing the importance of understanding and respecting the emotions of oneself and others to lead effectively. Through anecdotes, practical examples, and reflective exercises, Leading from Love aims to help leaders create a more harmonious and productive work culture by shifting focus from traditional, hierarchical models of leadership to a more inclusive and supportive approach.

If you're interested in leadership transformation, this book might offer some inspiring perspectives. Let me know if you'd like more specific insights or a breakdown of its key strategies!”

I rarely buy books, as I never have the patience to read them. I buy an average of 1-3 books/year. This year, I bought:

• Artificial Integrity: The Paths to Leading AI Toward a Human-Centered Future by Hamilton Mann. I bought it because I know Hamilton and admire his Generosity and rare Intelligence.
• Miracles Beyond Borders: Surviving Abidjan: Tales of Faith and Resilience from an African Woman on Her Journey to a Better Life by Candace Nkoth Bisseck, because Candace is one of our partners, because it is her first book and because she brilliantly and emotionally self discloses and describes a tragedy I have closely seen happening with so many friends.

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I hope you will find the friendly and informal exchange worth your time. Chris and I are trying to reflect on how some of Rumi’s inspirational verses would concretely translate in leadership nowadays. I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed building this exchange of views, Chris and I.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTubEG-gNJI

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Enjoy your Leadership Journey