Mandela Philip Thomas
When our home of birth blinds our lives from our identity, we struggle to find it. We perform actions and seek paths to discover who we truly are, only to be left with a weight on our shoulders and unanswered songs in our minds as we try to define our own meaning. ~ Mandela Philip Thomas
The lenses through which we view the world are first ground in childhood, polishing our understanding forever color our perception. This foundational vision changes not just who we become, but what we truly represent. Yet identity arises not from following tradition, but from the dynamic construction of oneself, a continuous process of self-awareness and the transformation of our experiences, our environment, and our deliberate choices.
In different aspects of our lives, we are all concerned about who we are, especially when crisis and unexpected circumstances arise. When we have no way out, we are forced to question our very existence. We ask, “What becomes of our lives?” Sometimes we feel found, other times lost, and still other times confused. This confusion often leads to the wrong choices and decisions for the society and communities we serve. Our lives are programmed to be specific so we can have a reliable answer to these questions.
However, identity is not something that can be given or taught; rather, it is recognized along our passionate path of interest. That recognition becomes the specific purpose we give our lives, the society, and teams we lead as a source of fulfillment and meaning.
How specific we are will determine the answers to our calls and the meaning of our lives and our impacts on our society. This is because a great deal of confusion in our lives obscures our vision of the specific person we truly are.
This confusion is buried in our lives and built into how strongly we construct our identity, ideas, and ways of life we present to our world and its people. These sources of confusion be they tradition, religion, or even our culture do not in themselves give identity but instead impose a prophecy outside our true meaning.
Who are we outside of our confusion? This is a question many have not yet answered, and those few who have often struggle to justify who they are against what was presented to them as culture, tradition, and religion.
To be defining leaders with meaning in our approaches, we must be represented by our own identity, because it is that identity that tells the story of our purpose and meaning in life.
What we create in the world carries immense consequences, demanding both thoughtful responsibility and careful consideration and understanding. This requires more than personal experience; it calls for the wisdom to see beyond us, to comprehend how the currents of the present are shaping the channels of the future. It is in this storm that exceptional leaders arise those who carry meaning with them like a torch, enlightening every space they enter and every life they touch.
It is true that in addressing global crises or organizational challenges, our differing perspectives often limit and suppress the full potential of our ideas. Even in our roles as leaders—whether of tomorrow or today, we will unavoidably face these differences.
But how do we navigate them when the world, our nations, or our societies demand solutions from us? Everything in due course depends on how we understand the world we exist within and the constant changes unfolding within it.
To succeed as great leaders, we must not impose our personal, religious, or national perspectives as the only way to solve crises. Instead, we must examine all differing views and find ways to incorporate their concerns into our solutions, whether for national or global ends. This is how we collectively tackle tomorrow’s greatest challenges.
As we’ve noted, our childhood views and experiences form our motives and perspectives. Too often, we only adopt new ways of thinking when forced, when all other options are exhausted. But this is not true leadership.
True leadership is a way of life, not just a role we are assigned. When we integrate leadership into our daily lives, we gain leverage and influence over everything around us, becoming recognized as great leaders.
Great leadership empowers everyone to see themselves as leaders, embracing adaptability even when they are not in formal positions of authority. It requires valuing every individual’s participation and perspective.True leadership is not just a role; it is a way of life. It is about recognizing the purpose we are meant to fulfill and the impact we are called to make, serving not just our nation’s present needs, but humanity’s future.
