The Global Village

From Phillip M Harter, Stanford University, 1999

 

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We Are All Connected
By Michael Lebeau 

In his book, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Mitch Albom relates his theme: "There are no random acts. We are all connected. You can no more separate one life from another than you can separate the breeze from the wind. Strangers are just family you have yet to come to know." With this idea in mind, consider leadership within the context of interdependence. Great leaders meet the challenge of diversity head on by fostering an inclusive environment, inspiring teamwork, and encouraging collaborative efforts. They seek the factors that unite rather than divide. They recognize the connectedness of all humanity and the importance of service. As Herman Melville states, "We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellowman."

 

A purposeful life is derived from an attitude of service. Laurence Boldt discusses this idea in his book, How to Find the Work You Love. He says: "Meaningfulness begins with recognizing that you are not alone, that you are part of the human community, that everything you do sends a ripple through the entire human family. Allow your natural compassion to suggest creative ways that you can serve this family of yours. Meaning is not found in acquisition, but in feeling ourselves a part of something greater."

 

We are all connected.  We are all part of the human community. As we reflect on our time on earth and on the people that surround us daily, we realize that we are all in this together. As a result, we must consider how critical it is for people to work together and help each other.  We rely on each other. We need each other to survive. To quote George Bernard Shaw: "We are all dependent on one another, every soul of us on earth."

 

This concept is further explained by Stephen Covey in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.  He discusses the idea of interdependence as he relates: "We each begin life as an infant, totally dependent on others. Then gradually, over the ensuing months and years, we become more independent, until eventually we can essentially take care of ourselves, becoming inner-directed and self-reliant. As we continue to grow and mature, we become increasingly aware that all nature is interdependent, that there is an ecological system that governs nature, including society. We further discover that the higher reaches of our nature have to do with our relationships with others -- that human life also is interdependent." Stephen Covey further explains: "Interdependence is the highest level of maturity. If I am interdependent, I am self-reliant and capable, but I also realize that you and I working together can accomplish far more than I could accomplish alone. As an interdependent person, I have the opportunity to share myself deeply, meaningfully, with others, and I have access to the vast resources and potential of other human beings."

 

Despite our differences, there are many things we share in common with members of the human community. More things unite us than divide us.  "Ideologies separate us,” says Eugene Ionesco, but, “dreams and anguish bring us together."

 

The challenge of diversity is to bring together the disparate elements of society to create a new and richer experience that celebrates the variety of contributions each person is able to make. Jesse Jackson recognizes: "America is not like a blanket -- one piece of unbroken cloth, the same color, the same texture, the same size.  America is more like a quilt -- many pieces, many colors, many sizes, all woven together by a common thread."

 

David Maupis observes: "Part of the difficulty is the tendency to think one's own values and positions are best for society and then reaching to impose them with little regard for our deep differences.  There's a natural tendency to be fearful of difference and seek the comfort zone of mirror images of ourselves.  I suggest we can get along and disagree simultaneously if we cultivate the arts of persuasion, mutual respect and a sense of humor. At times unhindered conversation may translate into a verbal slug fest, but it may not mean going for the jugular.  The shouting matches in the streets can serve as a wake-up call that forces us to re-examine what it means to live in a pluralistic and tolerant America."

 

It’s not a matter of us and them. It’s a matter of coming together in a spirit of understanding. In respecting the perspectives of others, and in establishing a tolerant, open-minded, and affirming attitude, we begin to foster an environment that is conducive to all persons. We don’t have to think alike and act alike to get along. We can hold different beliefs, perspectives, and values and still respect each other. We may disagree on certain issues, but we can still come together as friends. As Dave Mason says in his song: "There ain't no good guys. There ain't no bad guys. There's only you and me. And we just disagree."

 

The challenge of diversity involves differences in race, ethnicity, religion, politics, and lifestyle, just to name a few. Susan Stanberg has observed: "American democracy is often a messy business.  So many different values and views, groups all struggling, often one against another, to put their stamp on an elusive but vital reality . . .  American culture.  Sometimes the views are so different that it's hard to find much common ground . . .   So many perspectives on the racial, sexual, religious and cultural differences that define, enrich and deeply divide our nation."

 

Blimling and Miltenberger add their comments to discussion: "When people from different ethnic and racial heritages live together, one can anticipate some conflicts that arise as the cultural norms and expectations of one group come in conflict with those of another group.  Know as much as you can about their culture and show respect for their culture.  By encouraging appreciation of the diversity of cultures, you develop tolerance for other lifestyles and an acceptance of the heterogeneous, culturally diverse environment in which we all live.  Society is becoming increasingly pluralistic.  Learning to adopt a sense of understanding and acceptance helps people develop the social sensitivity and cultural appreciation they need to work and function cooperatively in today's society."

 

Cooperation and collaboration are possible when we adopt a spirit of interdependence. When we recognize that we are all connected, and that we have a duty to serve humanity, we realize that we can live above our own needs. Leaders who seek to serve others and to work for the good of others are said to be self-actualized individuals.  Self-actualization is a concept that was researched by Abraham Maslow. A self-actualized person, he said, has risen above his or her own needs, and actively seeks to address the needs of others. A self-actualized person is someone who has consciously elevated his or her life beyond self-interest. A self-actualized person is willing to contribute to the wellbeing of others, to serve others, and to make sacrifices for others.

 

Martin Luther King, Jr. has said, "An individual has not started living until he can rise above the narrow confines of individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity." Albert Einstein similarly notes: "A person starts to live when he can live outside of himself. A person's value to the community primarily depends on far his feelings, thoughts and actions are directed towards promoting the good of his fellows. Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile."

 

It is this attitude that establishes us as a true leader and grants meaning and purpose to our lives. It is this approach to living that reflects a spirit of interdependence and self-actualization. As Joseph Campbell has stated, "When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness."

 

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