Leadership is a journey

 

Defining leadership is a journey. Nonetheless, leadership requires the perspective of various disciplines- psychology, sociology, politics and history (Burns, 1978). However, these perspectives in themselves are not enough to embody the spirit of leadership. They must come together in purpose, principle, passion and production. Leaders need emotional intelligence, engage ubuntu, inspire hope and learn from history. Bringing these together takes skill, effort and I dare say time. That is why leadership is a journey.

Allan Bukusi

Leadership matters!

 

Leadership is the ability to influence, the capacity to do and the competence to become. It is required to pursue, achieve or accomplish anything. We all have it. In some it is dormant. Not everyone deploys it. While some people abuse it, misuse it or refuse it, that does not prohibit others from excelling, arising and thriving by it. It is not something you get. It is something you have. It is what you do or don’t do with it that matters! 

Allan Bukusi

Who was at the Meeting?

 

Who was at the meeting? That is a fascinating question as we gathered Africa in the Baraza (Kiswahili word for consultative meeting) room on the North Coast of Kenya from the 3-7 of June 2024. What indeed would be the agenda of such a meeting; as bringing together delegates from twelve African countries for a five-day seminar?  The meeting actually covered two language groups from West and Eastern Africa. The interesting thing about this meeting is that it was attended by budding scientists. Most of them pursuing research and developing their academic careers in their various disciplines from farming methods to veterinary medicine They came armed with their research knowledge, critical for recognition in their fields of expertise. On the face of it, this should have been a hard core scientific conference. Indeed, you would have guessed the same from the name of the organizers: AWARD – African Women in Agricultural Research and Development - Well No!

The event was about building the capacity of Africa’s  Young Leaders. I will not say, “next generation” or even, “leaders of tomorrow”. No. These ARE our leaders. To put it simply, leadership is a journey that each of us must embark on - deliberately. No it will not just come to you. And even if it does, you must know how to go about it.  You see, progress in a career is about the technical competencies you must develop to be respected by your professional peers. But, it is ALSO about the soft skills you need to lead yourself, teams and institutions. It is about the soft skills you NEED to be an effective leader. It is about understanding yourself and others and the organization. It is about Emotional Intelligence and that very special African philosophy of Ubuntu. Leadership, they say, is about influence. But how exactly do you go about it. Many people find themselves appointed to administrative, management and leadership positions with technical, but next to no training in soft skills.

So the AWARD team brought together Siaka, Nalla, Maria, and I, in a leadership conversation to empower our young leaders on their (leadership) journey from Malawi, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Kenya, Cote d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Zambia, Togo, Benin, Mali, Senegal add Uganda and Cameroon and you have a  conclave that one cannot forget… 

“I cannot evaluate this training – it was priceless!”

“I was very disorganized! I now know how to change”

“Why were we not taught this in school?” 

The charge: Keep the Promise!      

Chapter of Greatness

 

The mystic aura that surrounds the emergence of great personalities such as Jomo Kenyatta, Kipchoge Keino, Abraham Lincoln, Raila Odinga, Sebina Chebichi, Ali Mazrui, Ellen Sirleaf Johnson, Michael Joseph, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, Yew, Gandhi, Wangari Maathai, Newton are stories that have touched and transformed the lives of millions and continue to enable the dreams of children, youth, mothers and fathers perhaps beyond the realms of normality. How these names rose from obscurity to become brands of excellence, each to his own and yet to others unknown, of reality capturing the imagination of the world, each in his own space, time and discipline, is a great mystery. However, today or perhaps after their time, it is hard to imagine the world without them.

So what is the difference in them that inspires us? Or if you will, what is it about them that galls us? If it is not that each of them was born and lived fully touching a part of the world that needed healing and hope at the same time? Is it not the secret desire and dream that we too may rise in service and significance to humanity? The fact that they and many others took up their places in the lives of others does not limit our opportunities, rather it fuels our visions and raises our aspirations to be all that we could ever be.

You see greatness is not limited to individuals, far less to the names of those listed here; perhaps you did not see your name - are you surprised? Greatness is shared in the lives of others. To some those names remain obscure, but to those who will truly live, they have meaning, purpose, passion and pain. Rise up my son, my brother, my father. Rise up my daughter, sister, mother; greatness awaits! But, it does not delay for those who play; it passes on to those who will pursue it with rigour. Yours will be the first dawn while others sleep, it will be the long nights of striving, it will be in the sacrifices you make. Greatness is a hard taskmaster and vicious disciplinarian. Many fall by the way, on the task, but only the great rise again. There is no personal profit in greatness; nor is it found in pettiness or vain glory; do not fear, entertaining diversions and your detractors are many. Many times greatness is born out of sorrow, especially when it seems like there is no tomorrow.  Come everyone; your calling awaits! Add your name if you wish. No, greatness is not on the outside; Greatness lies within you, with but one chance to grab it, mold it and make it. It has no time for pity or party. Light the fire in your eyes and focus your flame. In the end the rest of the great is sweeter than the gain of sloth. Get to it! Greatness is your destiny.  Greatness is what you do with the rest of your life!

Allan Bukusi, 2024

To all who will find meaning in life; Share this message with someone who needs to write a chapter in the book of greatness.

Is this Ubuntu or Emotional Intelligence?

 

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

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 versus collectivism,  

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