I am touched that a young Mauritian leader shares this fundamental awareness and I thank him for it.
Act without burdening future generations with current decisions
- Cédric de Spéville, CEO of the Eclosia group
Making the right decision is the daily challenge for all leaders. But how do you know if a decision is the right one before you see the consequences?
Historical figures such as Napoleon, Hitler, Mao and Stalin were convinced that their decisions were the right ones. Unfortunately, history has often revealed how blinded they were by their own demons. However, thanks to their disruptive actions, significant advances have been made at societal, economic, technological, medical and political levels.
Today, in a world prey to tension, fear and loss of bearings, many people are turning to authoritarian, populist and even dictatorial leaders. They attract attention for their ability to establish order and stability.
But how do you distinguish between those who, like Kagame, Lee Kuan Yew and De Gaulle, have raised the majority of their people to greater respect, intelligence, creativity and awareness, and those who, out of greed or insanity, stir up the crowds to hatred and destruction?
The key lies in the model of conscious leadership, based on a holistic and ethical vision. Deciding on the basis of the well-being of the greatest number, now and in the future, is probably the most important criterion that every leader must integrate. For centuries, and particularly over the last 75 years, the choices of many political and economic leaders have been motivated by the instant gratification of their electors or clans. The advent of bonuses, quarterly reports, golden parachutes and short government mandates has stimulated the destruction of our biodiversity and cultural diversity, negatively impacting the future of our descendants.
Breaking out of these patterns requires vision, courage and benevolent leadership. The conscious leader must embody firm compassion. This ability to take and implement an unpleasant decision in the short term for the long-term well-being of their teams and society.
I propose a proven six-step model for making informed, conscious decisions in the midst of turmoil.