When we think about the work of leaders, we rightly have an expectation that they will have a wider, bigger, higher perspective. We imagine that they are so well connected and ‘read in’ to the major factors that may affect the well-being of the organisation that they are able to see new pathways that we may not be able to envisage ourselves.
Yet in these very challenging times in human history with countries and nations in conflicts of huge proportions aren’t we all called upon to find our way toward a higher perspective? To find our own inner leader and elevate our thinking, our perspective, our worldview – whether that be related to the actual world situation or to events closer to home in our own communities and organisations.
The higher perspective doesn’t mean superficially gliding over the issues and arriving at a glib summary or viewpoint. Truly elevating our perspective means going inwards as well as wider. We might call it the vertical and horizontal journey of making sense of situations. It means sensing the subtle and more imperceptible shifts that are going on in the situation. To not take things at face value but to search for the deeper truth that is seeking to be revealed.
We can, of course, be swept along by the view of the majority and follow the crowd in that sense. Or we can open ourselves to a deeper inquiry. Asking ourselves questions such as ‘what could be the deeper meaning here?’ Or, ‘what is the right timing for this issue to come to resolution?’ Or, ‘what else needs to be activated to help this conflict to find a new pathway?’
Our search for a higher perspective can put us into contact with a higher wisdom that could help reveal new insights, new meaning making, new pathways that we hadn’t considered before. Yes, that might mean entering into a more reflective space. It might also mean a wider source of data gathering. It certainly means asking new questions of one’s own ways of thinking and the values we hold.
As we know, leadership isn’t just a hierarchical formal position, it’s a call to find our own inner compass that enables us to contribute to the substantive issues of our times – not necessarily as an activist in the traditional sense but as a thought leader. As someone who is prepared to assume responsibility – the ability to respond to what is happening around them and not sit back waiting for others to solve it.