Lessons in grassroots leadership: drawing inspiration from Nature

I recently reflected on the transitions from summer to autumn and the profound physical changes it brings, drawing parallels to Nature's seasonal wisdom that can apply to our lives. During this contemplation, a simple image of grass led me down a path of deep reflection on leadership. In this article, I share two examples that illustrate the essence of grassroots leadership and its relevance to our organizations.

The first example delves into my personal experience growing up in the late 1970s during South Africa's apartheid era. Forced removals displaced my family to Mariannridge, where we faced the challenge of adapting to a township way of life. My late grandfather, rooted in a mix of mostly Zulu and a smaller part of Western traditions, imparted wisdom about the importance of grass in holding back soil thus preventing erosion. It was not until a devastating flood of September 1987 that decimated many parts of Durban. Our council house was destroyed by the mud. I witnessed firsthand the resilience of grass in preventing soil erosion. The parts of the bank that had grass planted did not collapse during the flood.

The second example shifts to a community-based organization, the Mariann Co-ordinating Committee (MCC), which was co-founded in 1990 with Judy Figland, Jennifer Boyce, and Rosh James. MCC aimed to bring about positive transformation in our township amid socio-economic challenges. Unlike global business leadership schools that offer degrees in leadership, we did not have formal leadership training. Our leadership journey emerged organically from the grassroots, marked by trial and error, resilience, and a willingness to confront fears.

Reflecting on these experiences, I have distilled five key lessons from grassroots leadership:

1. Resilience: Like resilient grass surviving a flood, we learned to adapt and persevere despite challenges. People often told us that we would fail, we ignored their loud voices and trusted each other.
2. Courage: We had to be courageous in confronting community issues and navigating unfamiliar and at times unsafe territories.
3. Taking Risks: Linked to courage, we ventured into uncharted territories and taught us the value of calculated risks and resilience in the face of failure. In talking about substance abuse, we knew that we would be tramping on someone’s feet not just toes.
4. Recognizing Wealth: We discovered that true wealth lies within the community. It included the people, the culture, the parks, the homes etc. These assets are often ignored and often people think just of monetary resources. Similarly, grass is an asset in many traditional African communities. It is life!
5. Innovation: Resource constraints encouraged us to innovate creatively, finding solutions. So, for example, when we noticed that people were hungry, the community started food gardens on their own. When parents could not afford to purchase school jerseys, the aunties began to knit them at a fraction of the price. Likewise, grass has multiple home uses - my grandfather would lay outdoors on his grassmat (icansi) on a hot day.

In conclusion, while leadership theories abound in academic and online realms, grassroots leadership teaches invaluable lessons rooted in real-world experiences. Nature, with its timeless wisdom, serves as a powerful metaphor for understanding leadership's intrinsic qualities. As we navigate our leadership journeys, let's draw inspiration from the resilience of grass, the adaptability of ecosystems, and the power of our people and their traditional wisdom. Wherever you are on your leadership path, consider the lessons from grassroots leadership and the enduring wisdom of Nature as guides to building your leadership acumen.