Leadership and Culture: Hunger Games or Ubuntu?

We are all feeling a mix of emotion given the recent elections in the USA. Not only the country, but the world is reeling. The results offer up many questions. One key question is that of leadership. What is good leadership? Does character matter? What are the values of a good leader? Does that even matter? If the leader defines the culture what kind of leadership is required to create a winning and humane culture? Is it a Hunger Games culture or an Ubuntu culture?

The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, so mesmerized my teen daughter that I decided to have a closer look. I cheated and watched the movie of the first book and could see why young people would love the series. The novel describes a community and its struggle for self-preservation. The culture is one of control from the top and survival of the fittest. Ego is king (or queen) and drives behavior. People are pitted against each other in a conflict that mostly results in death. There is a constant desire for revenge, and a pervasive sense of fear and judgement. The characters have to call on their very best survival skills in order to stay alive. Some do, some don’t.

Is it a ‘Hunger Games’ culture leaders should create so that team work, prosperity and innovation can thrive in their organization? Or, perhaps is it culture of Ubuntu.

Ubuntu means "I am what I am because of who we all are." It is an ancient African philosophy. Archbishop Tutu says, "A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole …." An Ubuntu culture has a strong foundation of moral decency, fairness and goodness.

Mandela describes it in this way, “In Africa there is a concept know as Ubuntu – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will be in equal measure due to the work and achievement of others.”

When Mandela was released from 27 years in prison, he invoked the spirit of Ubuntu by not seeking revenge but reconciliation, not violence, but peace. He expected people to be held accountable for their actions and frowned on sub-standard behavior. He called on people to be respectful, to promote and value the wellbeing of others.

Ubuntu is the ultimate winning strategy. There is competition, but in essence it is a cohesive, supportive culture where people strive to collaborate. It is open and not divisive which fosters communication and support of others enabling a free flow of ideas. With this comes a confidence to air opinions, examine processes and critique old ways of doing things. And, with this comes solutions to massively complex problems and previously unseen opportunities growth and improvement are revealed. There is a culture of continuous improvement.

In an Ubuntu culture there is an absence of ego in the leader. Ego brings with it a feeling of lack. If you have a good idea and I don’t, then I am lacking in good ideas and may want to diminish you. Ego is win-lose. The Ubuntu leader celebrates good ideas and supports team members (which may include forthright feedback) because the leader knows “together we are better”. Ubuntu is win-win. Ego stirs a sense of separateness because ego isolates. It draws you into a protectionist zone where you feel the need to fiercely defend your turf. My ego does not my weaknesses to be exposed I will cover it up or bring you down. This is indicative of a scarcity mentality. Ubuntu promotes an abundance mentality gratefully accepting feedback (even though it may sting a little) as an opportunity for growth.

Imagine how effective teams, communities and families (and countries) could be in an Ubuntu culture. A culture of accountability, not blame; one of desire to get the very best out of each person and not to belittle or hurt; to affirm the goodness in others, not to belittle their humanity. Where high standards of interaction and work ethic are upheld, where people respect one another and seek to build relationships. This creates a healthy culture of respect and generosity of spirit, and inspires and motivates people to be their best. They become filled with confidence in self and others. They play to their strengths and encourage others to do the same. This is a culture of excellence and one where people and ideas thrive.

Where do you see your team’s or company’s or country’s culture? What is your role as a leader? Is it not time now to invoke this spirit of Ubuntu so that we can lead with moral courage and love for the sake of our people, our organization and to model for our children, that in spite of what they are seeing and hearing, there is a righteous way to lead?

Right now, the world has need of leaders. Leaders who are men and women of character, who are courageous, grounded in universal values of love, honesty and who seek to find and release the good in others. The world has need of such leaders now more than ever before. The spirit of Ubuntu leadership that emerges from an ancient African philosophy enables a leadership culture that is values driven and that inspires success through collaboration and compassion.

By Peter Dry 2016