The idea of Ubuntu and its philosophy instantly made me think about the amount of influence a government has on the organizations that operate under the control of that government. Ubuntu is said to follow the values of communality, respect, dignity, value, acceptance, sharing, co-responsibility, humaneness, social justice, fairness, personhood, morality, group solidarity, compassion, joy, love, fulfillment, and conciliation. African leadership traditionally followed the values of Ubuntu. As said in a textbook written by Moran, Abramson, & Moran in relation to leadership: “Ubuntu indicates that no person is a leader by himself or herself; followers are empowered to decide and negotiate for the organization, as all members have an equal say.”
As most of us have felt throughout 2020, the idea of all members of a group, and all people, having a say behind the decisions that any leader makes is one that seems more important now than ever before. The idea of Ubuntu also aims to promote harmony within a group. I can’t help but to think about how much more successful organizations around the world would be with a stronger emphasis on harmony within and among different groups. Differing cultural views of people and how the people are governed in many situations has also brought conflict. I believe that the application of Ubuntu could help to bring light to these conflict situations. Not only could this help to resolve conflict within groups, but also among groups – from country to country. If leaders in any organization can adopt the values of Ubuntu, then organizations have a better chance at working together globally, especially in a time such as this.
Ubuntu reflects the understanding of the essence of being human and that humanity is reflected collectively. The idea of Ubuntu is something that I believe would be beneficial across both the country and the globe. All types of leaders – women, organizational, political, etc. – could practice Ubuntu, which can affect the way these leaders can enact leadership. The five core values of Ubuntu focus on respecting the dignity of others, group solidarity, teamwork, service to others, interdependence, and harmony. This can have a strong impact on the expectations that members of an organization have for their leaders. (Ngunjiri, p. 224).
These ideas can help to guide individuals, who will influence groups that they are a part of, and these groups can influence the communities that they are a part of, allowing the concept of “I am because we are” to influence an increasing number of people. In a world such as our world today, individuals, organizations, leaders, communities, and groups deserve dignity and mutual respect for one another. Leaders within organizations will have a greater impact on their organizations and their followers to lead the organization to attain goals through these principles.
References
Ngunjiri, F. W. (2016). “I Am Because We Are”: Exploring Women’s Leadership Under Ubuntu Worldview. Advances in Developing Human Resources, 18(2), 223–242. https://doi.org/10.1177/1523422316641416
Moran, Abramson, & Moran (2014): Chapter 15 Doing Business with Africans.
Ubuntu leadership should be viewed as a fundamental skill and mindset for all leaders, especially global leaders. The benefits of such an approach will encourage synergy through compassion and interconnectivity. The benefits of ubuntu leadership are bountiful, which effectively layout in your post. However, we must also consider the negatives.
Ubuntu requires a shared understanding of the ethics of the philosophy at both micro and macro levels. Without a shared understanding, it will promote exclusion as opposed to inclusion. Ethics are as diverse across intranationally, as they internationally. Due to COVID-19, I believe it is ethical for everyone to wear a mask when they are in public, and it should be mandatory. I feel strongly about this as I believe we are each other’s keeper; when our decisions impact others, they are no longer just our decisions. An opposing opinion may be that mandatory mask-wearing is unethical because it impedes someone’s personal choices.
In some countries, it is ethical to provide gifts to government officials. In some countries, it is not only unethical, but against the law. A group cannot have harmony until it agrees on its core principals and goals.
Finally, a system that allows everyone an equal voice can either suppress dissension in pursuit of harmony, thus creating groupthink or it can create a gridlock in the decision-making process to pursue a consensus.