Round Table Discussion Cont...

TOPIC 3: Deepen our understanding - about Leadership

I have included images from my collection taken during my fieldwork across Australasia as an analogy to think deeper about the above feature of this discussion.

Professor Oliver's commentary highlighted that considerable research has been undertaken on the topic of Leadership. Her view is that,  'nothing is yet stable in this area and the need for Deepening our understanding - about Leadership' in the context of contributing to society. On reflection if each person present was asked what their perspective was on this I sense that their views and thoughts would have been contrasting and diverse. Just like the canopy of trees below.

Diversity of trees found in the Rumataka Ranges in New Zealand.
In the context of the above we can only imagine what lay
 beneath this canopy.
What do these trees teach us about Leadership and Responsibility
and what is it about this particular environment that allows
it to flourish and remain stable?

On the other hand, I sense that a consensus would have been reached on Professor Oliver's follow-up statement on, 'Leadership - needs to be reputable whatever you do'. 

As the Head of the Harry and Sylvia Hoffman Leadership and Responsibility program which applies the practise of,  'Focusing on responsibility alongside cultivating leadership' through personal responsibility by volunteering a minimum of 2 hours per week'. Leadership consists of the 'internal set of values and is associated with a strong conviction regarding goals and beliefs. 

Leadership and Responsibility for me is like two peas in a pod. Leaders applying their leadership skills in various forms while at the same time applying a collaborative process within their organisations, communities or service provision to ensure that the benefits enable, empower and are supported by the required resources. Each aligned with the other.

My curiosity with this particular tree in the Carnarvon Gorge
Queensland was, how did these two trunks merge?  
In the context of this discussion I now think more deeply about the 
lighter brown section of the trees trunk which resembles a natural 
cross pollination has occurred which has strengthened it base.

The synergy between two peas in a pod, cultivating leadership through personal responsibility and my interpretation of the above image - that a natural cross pollination may have occurred - opens up space to reflect and think more deeply about Leadership and Responsibility within our society. The question that emerges out of this discussion comes back to the research undertaken about Leadership and that nothing is yet stable in this area.

The trees in these images have taken years to develop and the environmental conditions have been consistent for them to flourish over a long period of time. If research, education and programs remain focused on cultivating leadership through personal responsibilities then the offshoot of that will strengthen and provide stability around Leadership - over time.  However, what the environment informs and reminds us that any changes to that consistency of focus or conditions will have consequences.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION Cont...

TOPIC 2 and TOPIC 1: Sharing Ideas and Capabilities 

Professor Amalya Oliver-Lumerman spoke about the importance of sharing ideas and capabilities in the context of processes that happen in communities. Underpinning this view was the necessity for open boundaries so knowledge that sits within these context can emerge and inform by being: 

1. Open ended and not captured within a time-frame.
2. Allow[ing] something to happen and trusting the process. 
3. Being bold and courageous in order to create social change. (Professor Oliver-Lumerman)

I have reflected on this and the following has emerged.

The 'community' context for sharing my ideas is linked to Microcredit (provision of small loans) in rural communities linked to a small Non Government Organisation (NGO) Hands with Hands (HwH), Nepal. An objective of HwH is, To support, encourage and educate individuals and organisations that then, in turn, create, initiate and put into action projects that help others. Website

Crucial to the establishment of HwH projects has been allowing space for processes to evolve rather than imposing a structure. Linked to this example is the long term importance of empowering individuals and communities towards self-sustainability. What has emerged from this approach was the importance of ongoing skills training for cooperative members who in turn determine what their skill needs are.

Jutpani cooperative training day March-April 2014 

Once members have decided that need the facilitator of the projects approaches HwH who in turn assesses and discusses when funding will be available. These funds are sourced from HwH's International networks who over time have shared ideas and capabilities to create activities that generate donations.

Advanced accountancy training held 
in Jutpani February 2015

Over time I have gained an awareness that the notion of sharing ideas and capabilities is easier to apply and achieve in a Pro Bono environment than a western organisational context. Generally speaking, western structures, time-frames implementation of goals and vision are applied strategically.  

My experiences have shown me that pro bono activities provides opportunities to 'create environments' often not available in our workplaces. Depending on the scale of such activities and with whom the partnership is developed, this 'way of being' is underpinned by an interest in an issue, and requires patience, time and income. Professor Oliver-Lumerman spoke about Leadership and Social Responsibility and a person being embedded. How right she is! 

I became embedded in Hands with Hands after undertaking fieldwork on their behalf in January/February 2011.  The women and communities that I have 'shared experiences' with in Chitwan District and Pokhara and the sharing of ideas and capabilities of HwH's international network has created an environment where one can deepen their understanding of the elements that make up and connect Leadership to Social Responsibility.

In the five years I have been connected to this organisation it would be fair to say that building upon my understanding of Nepali culture has been the key to letting go of many of my assumptions and holding onto structures. My fieldwork in the Microcredit environment is where my light bulb moments and deeper learning's have come from.

My following musing in the field, Chitwan District, Nepal 2011.

Microcredit creates purpose

Purpose creates income

Income creates opportunity

Opportunity creates choices

Choices creates health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing creates productive communities

Productive communities become self-determining.

Access to water required the 

sharing of ideas and capabilities in a community setting.

Education [new classroom built by the Kevin Rohan Foundation]

is essential for the development of sharing of ideas and capabilities.

 Enterprise generates an income to alleviate poverty
by producing mustard oil from mustard seeds.

Leadership Jutpani Microfinance Cooperative 

Board Members at A.G.M November 2014.

These women have shared their ideas and built their capacity in a cooperative community context.

ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION

with Professor Amalya Lumerman-Oliver 

Hebrew University, Israel

was the inaugural guest in residence 

of Leadership WA.

My original post about this valued visit appears to have been lost so I will set the scene for the discussion TOPICS that emerged from my perspective. Having the opportunity to look at Leadership and Responsibility with a sociological lens was a treat and not an opportunity that I have experienced before. My undergraduate degree was a double major in Sociology and Womens Studies so a treat from my perspective.

Professor Oliver oversees the Hoffman Leadership and Responsibility Fellowship Program [3 years]. Harry Hoffman is the Chairman of Ardross Group of Companies in Perth and his wife Sylvia has since retired from active involvement. Their program 'Focus[es] on responsibility alongside cultivating leadership, the program requires all Hoffman fellows to express their personal responsibility by contributing to society through volunteering...' 

I particularly liked the Professors commentary around - as Leaders - we need to be reputable whatever we do.

TOPIC 1: Leadership and Responsibility

TOPIC 2: Sharing Ideas and Capabilities
TOPIC 3: Deepen our understanding - about Leadership