No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it

Ever since I was a teenager I have been encouraged to ‘be a leader’ with various leadership programs, opportunities and roles being given to me. From those early years I always wondered what stimulated people's interest in my potential leadership, what was it in me that made them think I could lead? Or that I could be a ‘leader’ at all. My leadership journey has taken many different turns, from those early years to now where I have formalized my leadership journey within institutional boundaries.

The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence, it is to act with yesterday’s logic - Peter Drucker

The idea of participating in the Asia Pacific Leadership Program stems back to my time working for a newly restructured organisation. Struggling with the transition, lack of foresight and public pressure this organisation was the epitome of a closed and threatened system. Developed on a typical Newtonian image of the world this organisation employed command and control leadership and hierarchical structures to evidence productivity and control.

Strife, turbulence and chaos were feared, and seen as a threat to the rigid systems of the institution. I found myself continually testing the environment, pushing boundaries and when the systemic powers overturned my curiosity one too many times, I eventually become incredibly disheartened. My resilience had taken a huge hit, to the point that I was unable to separate my personal life from that of my professional. The frustrations at work followed me home. It got to the point where the lack of leadership made me search for an alternative – there must be something better than this, I would say to myself over and over as I walked home every night.

A good leader is best when people scarcely know he exists, not so good when people obey and acclaim him. Worse when they despise him. Fail to honor people and they fail to honor you. But of a good leader, who talks little, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, the people will say, 'we did it ourselves' - Lao-tzu

It stimulated me to ask questions of leadership, what does it look like? Where can I find it? Why do we need it so much? And how is leadership attained? These were all valid questions for someone who was experiencing the overwhelming strength of a system without any strategic direction. How were we meant to create a sustainable and prosperous future for others when we could not even sustain ourselves?! As I explored alternatives, solutions and ways around hurdles I soon realized that I needed a new consciousness, a new perspective in order to affect any such change.

No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it – Albert Einstein

I did not, and never have, believed it has to be ONE or the OTHER. For me, life is not black OR white; it is full of shades, textures and styles. The important thing is how to incorporate these into our narrative, what are their relational dynamics and how do they take on different forms according to context. Many would say these are typical questions of an Anthropologist, nothing ever seems that simple to us, but it has surprised me over the years how many people are asking the exact same questions. The fundamental flaws of Newtonian-based systems, processes and structures are becoming apparent and society is now in search for an alternative. The potential of this school of thought is being rapidly exhausted, reflected in such movements as the Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and Idle No More.

You think because you understand one you must understand two, because one and one makes two. But you must also understand AND - Meadows

So there it is - my answer. I was searching for the AND in an OR environment. If i was to stay in that organisation i would be forced to choose this OR that, me OR you. I had found myself in a closed system which did not allow for growth, chaos or change and promoted competition, sacrifice and the prescriptive maintenance of a pattern of normative rules.

The months between leaving my job and working for my tribe were some of the most important steps for my personal and professional development. I went to the south island to instruct Aoraki Bound, a 21 day cultural and personal development programme combining Ngāi Tahu cultural knowledge and expertise with the experience and reputation of Outward Bound in a 20-day journey-based course that builds leadership, cultural awareness and personal development. This is a strategic leadership initiative to revitalize the cultural and personal paradigm of learning and leadership. This guided me to understanding leadership as a process of discovery that must be shared, moulded and contextualised. I felt a huge sense of purpose in my actions and had regained much confidence in my abilities after the past year of institutional marginalization.  Whilst instructing the Aoraki Bound I also got an email saying that I had been accepted into the Asia Pacific Leadership Program (APLP).

APLP is the center of excellence for leadership education in the Asia Pacific region and a signature of the East West Center  The program linked advanced and interdisciplinary analysis of emergent regional issues with experiential leadership learning. The fall semester involved residency in Honolulu for 5 months, with a unique opportunity to travel throughout China for a 3 week field study where I explored the recent political transition, China’s economic growth and the affect this has on ethnic minority cultures throughout China as well as the broader region.

I had invested a huge amount of myself into this program. I was sure that this was the solution to my frustration and unanswered questions. I soon found out that this would not be the case. APLP instead gave me the space away from the hectic speed of my life and introduced me to 30 incredible people from around the world. I lived, laughed and learnt with cultures from around the world, and believe that it has had an impact on me far beyond what I know. 

They have taught me how to discover the AND, that human potential is endless and full of possibilities, but more importantly they have taught me how to be, to enjoy the power of the present. I thank those 30 people for the impact they have had on my life just by being themselves and sharing their worlds. I have returned to New Zealand with a new consciousness, one ready for the challenges ahead.

To be continued...