Most surveys of the world’s population, now about 8 billion strong, suggest that faith plays an important part in an individual’s identity. Statistically, 7 of every 8 people subscribe to a faith with the largest being Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism accounting for almost 80%. Non-believers – atheists and agnostics – comprise about 15% of the population. The remainder are affiliated with local beliefs.
Why is this worth considering? When you examine the core beliefs of each religion as they relate to others, that is, excluding their views on salvation or after-life, you find that they share a common principle. That principle is service to others, empathy for the condition of our fellow travelers. Apparently, we esteem this characteristic above all others. We measure the dedication to empathy as a key to the working out of our faith. We look to our leaders of the faith to have this quality in full measure.
For that segment of our lives that the majority will cling to regardless of the rest of our circumstances, we want someone in leadership who cares – about us and about others. Everything else is secondary!
This truth begs the question. If, in the innermost parts of our being, we look for character to be our touchstone, why, in the rest of our lives, do we define success as being associated with power and wealth? Why do we elect or appoint individuals to positions of authority if they do not first lead with empathy?
Why is quality that guides our life choices outside of work not equally valued in our work and governance?
Clearly history has something to do with it. For eons the ‘might is right’ philosophy has also been the reality. And wealth has been able to buy allegiance or influence. But are these what leadership should look like in the 21st century? Isn’t this the time when we look for character - empathetic character – and competence in those whom we assign lead?
There is a misconception that a person of character is weak or not able to withstand the rigors of leadership. Some would suggest that an empathetic person will shy away from the challenge when things become difficult.
The reality is that empathy is a sign of strength and accomplishment! If you can seek to improve the condition of others it is because you are strong enough in character to understand that raising another does not come by making yourself lower but rather you are pulling them up to your level.
Difficult times do not build character as much as they reveal character. We need leaders who have spent the time building character so that they can act with character when the time demands it. The last thing we need is a crisis to demonstrate that someone is not fit for service. We can change that by the choices we make moving forward.
It is time to align our private beliefs with our workplace and governance realities.
