Spiritual wisdom empowers leaders to drive urgent social change
Effective social impact could be aided by leaders' reliance on Divine guidance. This raises the question - why write articles and post on LinkedIn? Observing the remarkable contributions of others, I may at times feel vulnerable to share my thoughts. I delayed posting this article by two weeks, pondering would be a good fit for LinkedIn. More so, what would the reader think of me, the writer? Perhaps a radical act, I am encouraged by GenZ and their boldness, so, here it goes.
It is worth considering how one's voice can address socio-economic and socio-ecological challenges in South Africa today. As the saying goes, it only takes a ‘spark to get a fire going’, and it takes a community to heal a nation. June is a month of change in South Africa and we are on the cusp of change in many parts of the African continent. South Africa’s new cabinet has been announced to the likes and dislikes of many. Kenyan Gen Z's are challenging their leadership and inspiring others, the air is thick with transformation. Reflecting on the pivotal role of youth in bringing about change, as seen in the events of 1976, serves as a reminder that even a small spark can lead to significant progress.
Personally, the changes in African leadership have prompted deeper reflection on local and global dynamics. Corrupt human actions undoubtedly impact the planet and its people. For me, the winter chill has heightened my sensitivity to the plight of those who lack basic necessities, such as shelter and warmth. How do I pause my car at a robot (traffic light) look someone in the eye and not be touched by their plight? How is it possible that, in the vicinity of five to ten kilometres of my locale, there are vineyards that sell millions of Rand's worth of internationally recognized wine, and yet people are going without food and shelter? This is not about guilt-tripping but does require us all to look inward and ask the difficult questions. Witnessing the stark contrast between the affluence of some and the deprivation of others is deeply unsettling.
Recently, I attended a symposium on gender and corruption hosted by the Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research of Stellenbosch University (ACCERUS). The accounts of some whistleblowers being murdered and public servants misappropriating funds were profoundly disturbing. Corruption is rampant even within the private sector. As a non-expert, the question arose: Can these challenges be solved by human efforts alone, or are we dealing with a superhuman force that corrupts the innate goodness in people?
I, not being a theologian or religious leader, acknowledge the presence of a spiritual dimension and the guidance it can provide. Various religious texts emphasize the importance of relying on Divine wisdom and strength. My thoughts are that to create lasting social impact, it is time to draw on this Divine wisdom rather than solely on personal understanding. Passages from Christian, Hindu, Islamic, and African proverbs underscore this principle.
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As humanity stands at the cusp of significant societal, economic, environmental and spiritual change, the need for moral guidance and collective action becomes increasingly evident.
Perhaps discussions of spirituality are uncommon on LinkedIn, but courageous leadership is needed to influence change and amplify the call for a moral code to prevail in public and private spaces. As Gandhi said, "Be the change you wish to see in the world." This is the challenge of our generation - to address social justice and climate change as emergencies that require urgent, collaborative action. It is not some people’s job; it is a call to all of us.
In the words of Desmond Tutu, “Do your little bit of good where you are. It's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Each individual must do their part, recognising that remaining impartial in the face of injustice means aiding the oppressor. By resolving to have a positive social impact and seeking Divine guidance for wisdom and transformation, we can inspire others to join us in establishing a more compassionate and just world.
Artist and facilitator of arts-based learning processes at Self-Employed
8 个月Hi Shaun, the questions which you ask in your post (or very similar ones,) are questions which I'm sure many of us grapple with every day. What seems increasingly clear to me, however, is that the solutions to many of humanity's challenges are mostly known to us, and have been for a long time. But it seems that the forces (whatever form they may take) working against "the good" (for want of a better term,) are so powerful that change is painfully slow. I suspect that there is a superhuman element to these forces (although describing what one means by "superhuman" would probably require some lengthy conversations,) but our world has become so enthralled by the mechanical, the superficial, and the ugly, that such conversations would no doubt be difficult. But I for one would be willing to try. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this matter.