The Role of Moral Leadership in Transformation towards

Sustainability

Sylvia Karlsson-VinkhuyzenLeiden University – iefworld.org

Onno Vinkhuyzeniefworld.org – ebbf.org

Making the invisible visible, Brighton, 16 Dec 2010

Today

Current situation in the realms of Knowledge, Values, and Institutions

Overview of most common leadership styles

Overview of Moral Leadership

Two examples

Axioms

• Humanity as a whole is the moral community we should analyze, only a systemic view is sustainable

• Human beings have an innate ability to rise above the self-interest model of behaviour that underpins much of current economic and political analysis and express altruism

The prevailing knowledge paradigm

certain (scientific) forms of knowledge are highly

privileged over other forms of knowledge.

the geographical or institutional source of

knowledge greatly influences how it is valued and

thus how much impact it has

information for short-term horizons is priviledged

The knowledge system needs to be characterised by

an attitude supporting wider participation in the generation

of scientific knowledge

a more welcoming attitude towards experience based

knowledge, such as local and indigenous knowledge, as

input to decision-making at various levels of governance;

and

more focus on systemic knowledge which incorporates

various disciplines and strives to consider impacts for

longer time-horizons.

Our value system

Is now one where value spheres are often far

too limited in geographical scope and time

to support global sustainability

What we need

• world-embracing value spheres and

• leaders who manifest those values, and who are

able to formulate inspiring visions of what a

society which manifests such values would look

like

The institutions

Now have a bias towards favouring short-term

horizons and national self-interest

We need a paradigm shift in many institutions from

the local to the global level

Prevalent mental models of leadership

Characteristic conduct

Prototype Effect on group members

Effect on group functioning

Authoritative

Paternalistic

Know-it-all

Manipulative

Styles of leadership

Gives ordersExp. ObedienceNo dialogue

Resentment, low motivation, obstruction

Army, some organisations

Little unity, no unity between leader and group

No unity, no development of capabilities

Feel betrayed, become cynical,mistrust

PoliticsHide true motives and personal interests

No integration leader and group, no dev. potential

Feel inferior, don't participate, leader is frustrated

Academics,Consultants,“Experts”

Lets know or feel that he is more knowledgeable

No cohesion,Dependent,helpless

Dependent,No development capabilities

Rel. orgs,Char. orgs

Love, Care, no faith in cap. gr. members

They all

• dominate decision-making

• serve an egoistic need for power

• completely neglect to develop the potentialities of the members of the group

Transformation

“One cannot solve a problem at the same level of thinking that

created the problem.”-attributed to Albert Einstein-

ML - the short version

Questioning mental models

Constructing conceptual frameworks

Training of capabilities

Utilization of participatory techniques

Definition of Mental Models

“Mental Models are deeply rooted images that determine how we perceive our environment” -Peter Senge-

Conceptual Framework

Conscious

Evolving, because of our ability to question and contemplate

Consistent

New knowledge develops into real knowledge

Thinking versus acting

18 Capabilities

Concepts

Skills

Attitudes

Qualities

7 Capabilities that contribute to personal transformation

5 Capabilities that contribute to better interpersonal relations

6 Capabilities that contribute to social transformation

ML – the longer version

Service based

Goal is Personal and Social Transformation

Moral obligation to search for and apply ‘Truth’

Perceive and treat humans as Essentially Noble

Transcendence

Training of Capabilities

Traditional Leadership seeks to

dominate and control others,

so that they will serve the one(s) in charge.

Moral Leadership seeks to dominate and control

self (ego) so that one is free to serve others.

Transformation

Personal

Learn from systematic reflection on action

Training of capabilities

Social

Creative groups, seeds for transformation of society

Support for individuals who try to push forward

Contingent truth

• Ascertaining the facts

• Current reality

• Relative, but ever deepening understanding

• Points to the way things should be

• Normative

• Based on principles and vision

• Progressive

Ideal truth

Concepts of human nature

Racist

Rational animal Deterministic Sinner Essential nobility

Transcendence

the capacity to detach oneself from “current

reality” and to connect with those values and

principles which one believes to be of eternal

worth and which form part of one’s vision

Capabilities which contribute to personal transformation

Evaluate one's own strengths and weaknesses without involving the ego

Learn from systematic reflection on action within a consistent, evolving conceptual framework

Capabilities which contribute to personal transformation

Take initiative in a creative and disciplined way and

Persevere

Think systemically in the search for solutions

Capabilities which contribute to better interpersonal relations

• take part in a non-adversarial, truth-seeking process of decision-making

• create and promote unity in diversity

Capabilities which contribute to social transformation

• create a vision of a desired future based on shared values and principles and to articulate it clearly and simply so that it inspires in others a sense of commitment towards its fulfilment

Practice

• Ecuador - 1000 educators from all over the country

• Kosovo – youth workers from different ethnic groups

Moral leadership results in

• Groups that are united

• Groups that are able to reach their goals

• Groups that empower their members to develop their capabilities

Conclusions

• No quick fixes

• Have to look at root causes

• Humans are very well able to adopt to more

expanded value spheres which may lead to

change in paradigms

“When a true leader has finished his work,the people say, ‘Look at what we have

achieved.’”(Chinese proverb)