Leading with Sonder

The Essence of Leadership

For the past several years, I've been operating in the realm of interim management, primarily within large organisations. Recently, in a discussion, one asked for my opinion on a leadership role in a smaller organisation with limited resources/ budget. This sparked an interesting question: does the scale of an organisation truly dictate the nature of leadership? Does it change the fundamental essence of what it means to lead, to manage, to inspire?

In my opinion true leadership rise above such limitations. Just as a mother's love and dedication to her children are not determined by her financial means, so too does the heart of leadership remain constant regardless of the size or scope of the mission. Whether guiding a family or steering a project to completion, the core values of nurturing, problem-solving, and unwavering commitment remain the same.

This resonates deeply with my experience as a project/programme management professional. It's a role that often mirrors parenthood, demanding a constant juggling act of tasks, problem-solving, and navigating unforeseen obstacles. There's no universal guidebook, and success can be elusive to define. Yet, despite the inherent challenges, there's an undeniable sense of fulfilment in steering a project to completion, much like a parent witnessing their child flourish.

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." - John C. Maxwell

Interestingly, studies indicate that lower-income parents often report higher levels of enjoyment and reward in parenting, even though they may also face greater stress. This mirrors what I've observed in project management. Whether you're leading a grand-scale initiative with a massive budget or a more modest project with limited resources, the dedication, the hurdles, and the ultimate satisfaction are remarkably similar. The scale might differ, but the spirit remains the same.

Nature's Lessons

Nature provides a wealth of examples to illustrate this point. The beaver, a master planner and builder, diligently gathers resources and orchestrates its colony to construct a dam, adapting its strategy as needed. The queen bee, a true leader, directs her hive in a complex symphony of construction, resource gathering, and production. Ant colonies, with their intricate tunnels and efficient division of labour, are a testament to the power of collaborative project management. Even the epic journey of bird migration, with its intricate planning, resource management, and coordinated execution, characterises project management on a grand scale.

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better." - Albert Einstein

From the intricate web of a spider to the coordinated efforts of a film production crew, examples of project management principles thrive in our everyday lives. Whether it's captaining a ship, conducting an orchestra, or simply planning a wedding, these principles are fundamental to achieving goals and navigating the complexities of life.

Sonder and the Interconnectedness of All Things

But there's another layer to this, a more profound connection that transcends the mechanics of project management. It's encapsulated in the word "sonder" – a term brought to my attention a few days ago by my friend, Mahesh Subramaniam. Sonder is the realization that every individual, every creature, every seemingly insignificant entity is living a life as rich and complex as our own. It's like peering into an anthill and recognizing that each ant within that bustling community has its own unique story, its own struggles, and its own purpose.

"In a drop of water are found all the secrets of the oceans." - Kahlil Gibran

Sonder encourages us to appreciate the interconnectedness of all things. Just as the ant's life mirrors the complexities of the Amazon rainforest, and the Earth reflects the vastness of the universe, so too does every project, every task, contain within it a universe of its own. This brings to mind a verse from the Bhagavad Gita, an ancient Hindu text, which speaks of how everything is connected to this ultimate source, how the universe exists within the atom, and the atom within the universe. It's a concept that resonates with the idea of fractals – those infinitely repeating patterns that reveal ever-increasing complexity as you zoom in and out.

Everything is connected, yet everything is distinct. Everything is commutative, yet not the same. Everything is both a subset and a superset at the same time. And every little piece of it is just as important and complex as the whole.

"One who sees the Self in all beings, and all beings in the Self, attains the highest." - Bhagavad Gita

Perhaps this is the most valuable insight for a project/programme management professional: to approach each project, regardless of its scale, with a sense of sonder. To recognize the intricate web of individual stories, struggles, and contributions that converge to create something meaningful. To understand that even within the most constrained environment, a universe of possibilities awaits, ready to be unlocked with dedication, creativity, and a profound appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things.

Whether you're a large corporation or a small start-up, I'm passionate about helping organisations achieve their goals. Feel free to reach out – let's discuss how my experience in project and programme management can benefit your next mission.

Share your insights, experiences, and questions in the comments below. And if you found value in this article, don’t forget to like and share.

- Umesh Mehendale