Is this Ubuntu or Emotional Intelligence?

 

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I recently wrote a journal paper on how to integrate strategy and culture for transformative change. I wanted to discuss the socialisation of change as a core component of sustainable institutional change. While the overall paper argues for the collaboration of strategy and culture as pillars of change what I found surprising is that recent developments in emotional intelligence (EI) map squarely onto the age old principles of Ubuntu distilled over millennia...

Ubuntu and EI are equivalent. They are only different in perspective. They are both social intelligences based on African perspective of community and Western perspectives of individualism. To operate in the Western world you need EI, to relate in in Africa you need Ubuntu. Take a close look at the five  principles of EI and Ubuntu as presented by Goldman, 2000 and Mbigi, 1997 and you see striking reflection of individualism against  

Self awareness <=> Dignity

Self regulation <=> Respect

Self motivation <=> Survival

Empathy <=> Compassion

Effective relationships <=> Solidarity

It is fairly clear that EI is essentially "self" centred while Ubuntu is "other" centred. At some point I thought it was necessary to  "scientify" African leadership theory for it to make sense in the global context, but now I am convinced that it may be more practical to codify African leadership theory so that (modern) science can understand it. It is really a question of perspective. There are many indigenous knowledges Africa can teach the world that do not need scientific proof to be valid. 

Allan Bukusi

the Young and the Old

 The Young speak as if they will never get Old. The Old speak as if they had never been Young.

Research; why we do what we do

 

Why we do what we do, why we think the way we think and much more.... In his book, Roots, Alex Haley, descendant of human beings shipped to America to be slaves, researched his roots and traces his ancestry from the USA back to Africa. The book created “aha” moments for millions of Americans. It triggered an identity search, and gave them an identity, a culture, confidence, a sense of pride and hope. It helped explain to the world who black Americans are, and why they think the way they think. It authenticated their claims to life, liberty, affirmative action and black consciousness. It explained, “who we are” and, “why we do what we do..” 

At the heart of every perspective are roots that are not immediately obvious and appear biased until we interrogate them and understand where they, the roots, are coming from. Only then are we free to deal. Only then are we liberated by the, “ aha” moment that helps us understand ourselves and others to understand us. Only then are we free to move forward together with confidence because we know who we are. 

This is the essence of all research, innovation and invention. The book crested an “aha” moment that liberated all of us, black, white, yellow and green. It has allowed us to be who we are and who were made to be and releases us to move forward as humanity liberated in spirit, mind and body. Liberating the soul of a trapped spirit, but also giving avenues to expression of the spirit defining who we are and what we can do and become; human beings who exist in time. No, ours is not just mere existence. In us is the power of gods. The power of God expressed in the unfolding spirit of humanity. In other words, not just human, but human who are and beings. Research is the science of discovery, the art of expression and the theology of origin of all human study to find his roots, his bearings and his future. To do so is to find oneself in the mighty struggle to find out who we are.

Allan

Plant a seed of Leadership at home

 

As we concluded our tour of Bombululu, my friend took a seed of an exotic tree to plant in his home country. I was a little surprised because there did not appear to be anything special or magnificent about the tree that was variously scattered around this part of the world. Many other types of trees receive better attention and are much more attractive than the long withering bush my professor friend was wildly excited about. He told me that a seedling of the local tress was priced ten times higher in his own country for its presumably medicinal and soil conservation value or perhaps its "exotic" prowess.  

That got me thinking. What if leadership was that disheveled tree? Disrespected, battered and shunted aside! Whose value was essentially unknown and really not that impressive, but rather ridiculous in appearance?! However, the more powerful point of instruction from the professors’ seed class was his act of courage and responsibility to ensure that the seed got home and would never be lost! Someday the tree would also be ubiquitous in his country – playing its silent role in the shadows of the forest of humanity – so that leadership should not perish from the earth. I often worry about how many leadership forests are growing around Africa, but maybe I should be more concerned about how many seeds are being planted. Many years ago in my graduate class, another professor told me he had visited 29 of Africa’s 54 countries! I was disheartened, because I thought I could never hope match his travel log on the continent. But the second professor tells me all I need is to plant a seed. At the last count, I had planted maybe forty.  Plant a seed of leadership at home or just where you are. You never know how far the seed will travel in time. 

Ubuntu: Generational Speak

 

I have been quiet for a season and perhaps I need to awaken the spirit. I bring you news from Mombasa on the east coast of Africa. It has been a heart warming visit with greetings from twelve African nations; Benin, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Malawi, Togo, Mali, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Zambia. A great convocation arranged and brought together by AWARD. Together we revisited the spirit of Ubuntu; an ethos of African identity deeper than the colour of your skin. We could feel as one. "I am because we are". There are many lessons I learned from everyone. And it was great fun, but I want to share with you just one. 

There are five generations in Africa at any one time. As an elder I need to play the part. This does not come automatically with age. I must be deliberate and make a cultivated effort to always be my best. I can give advice to those who will listen, but I must also listen to generational and intergenerational speak in its complexity of cultural boundaries, perspectives and rules of engagement. I must speak with humanity and dignity to open the doors of non-demanding, non-judgemental association and build relationships of trust, goodwill, peace and progress. Nonetheless, this is believed to be impractical in the digital, competitive world we live in today, where success is defined by who is on top. With my peers I joke, they can take it. Other generations might not appreciate it and may assume I am imposing or suggesting something that may not be. Another generation may simply disregard the content of the text. With the passage of time in Africa, as in other parts of the world, everything moves on to the shelves of history and each generation must play its part while on stage in this life and later in the archives. The children need training to survive the day. The rising generation will benefit from learning and mentoring. The generation in power must speak, lead and be strong on behalf of all generations. The generation in authority is experienced and wise. They can give compassionate guidance and counsel freely. But there is also a generation that is revered. They have seen many years; enough to think about life from all its angles, positions and perspectives. They can challenge the bedrock of your understanding and belief system with sage affection. A word from them can change a life. 

The dynamic of the African society embraces all generations and associations tempered with cultural norms. It is a blessing that holds our communities intact and yet establishes the fundamentals of neighbourly togetherness. Remaining cognisant of the generation to which you speak will bridge many boundaries of interaction, open doors to opportunity and peradventure smooth your way to success. Embrace, integrate and appreciate generational speak in all your communications and it will help you touch the heart of Africa and keep the spirit alive.   

Ubuntu