Freedom is a basic human right and one that should be protected. With freedom, of course, comes responsibility and consequences.
Whether it’s in our own personal lives, in our communities or organisations we all expect (at least in the Western democracies) to live our lives with full freedom. But what does that really mean? We all know that whilst at one level freedom can be absolute – we are free to think and act in whatever way we choose even if it doesn’t always seem that way. On another level when we are part of a group – a team, a family, an organisation, a nation – we also know that we will need to find compromises and accommodations if we are to live in a harmonious and civilised way. To find a basis of right relationship.
So what is freedom really? Former President of the United States, Franklin D Roosevelt, described four freedoms:
- Freedom of speech and expression.
- Freedom of every person to worship God in his or her own way.
- Freedom of want – meaning that economic stability can be achieved.
- Freedom of fear – meaning that you aren’t in physical danger or fearing for your life or the life of those who you love.
Whilst powerful these describe what we might call the outer or physical ‘rights’ of being human. There are also the freedoms on an inner level – freedoms such as being free to think, act and feel how we choose. Choice itself is also a freedom. The choice to adhere to group rules, laws and conventions and the choice to disagree and disobey, which can of course bring consequences.
As leaders we often make decisions and choices that seem to curtail freedoms – we call this governance. Clearly we have a responsibility to navigate a path that limits as few freedoms as possible whilst paying attention to the greater good. Governance toward a greater good is what we are all seeking from our political and organisational leaders. Establishing good governance that is free from fear is key because when we are free from fear, we naturally make choices that afford greater freedoms.
As individuals, as leaders and as groups we need to find a commitment to freedom which has the inner and outer balance between individual desire, needs and core rights and the pathway toward a higher point of collective freedoms. Society affords us freedoms and creates constraints. Government affords us freedoms and creates constraints.
In a mature group we accept both the expansion and constraints as intrinsic parts of the higher expression of freedom, recognising the inherent value in both.
So what does freedom mean to you?