I am proud and honored to announce that my 5th book with the above title and subtitle is in the publishing loop after a two-and-half-year effort. The book is due to be released in the next few months and is in the final stages of the myriad of details that it takes to get a book out even after the manuscript is completed. So, stay tuned!
The world has shifted a great deal in the last few years and I am afraid we may be caught in a downward spiral where the very foundations of our values are being shaken and challenged. This book discusses a new form of leadership I believe we desperately need to turn us around in an upward spiral before it is too late. Especially now in the midst of US elections, the world is dominated by media, lies, fake news, innuendos, violence, spins, and divisiveness.
So it is remarkably refreshing when we actually hear and validate truth. I am reminded of “Satyagraha” which is a Gandhian Sanskrit word that translates as follows; “Satya” is “truth” and “Graha” is “insistence of truth or holding onto truth or truth-force.” A Satyagrahi Leader is one who like Gandhi role-models, practices, teaches and leads with an unwavering and strong adherence to truth.
While there are countless books on leadership and the gurudom of leadership is full of coaches, consultants, and professors, have you wondered why we don’t consistently have good leaders in all sectors: corporate, nonprofit, higher learning, religion, and politics? The premise of this book challenges our current models of leadership development. Today, most existing leadership models singularly emphasize improving one’s chosen field of endeavor, but there should be so much more to a leader than a career.
We have become so focused on being “the best” that we are constantly living in our heads, worried about providing for ourselves and our families and are reluctant to acknowledge the problems that do not directly involve us. The world desperately needs leaders that can address our planet’s most pressing dilemmas including the loss of democracy, freedom, inclusiveness, environmental issues, poverty, immigration, crime, violence (especially in our youth) and divisiveness. As concerned, caring citizens we must spawn a new brand of leaders that have the capability to find effective, affordable and viable solutions.
In my humble opinion, the new brand of leaders that can address our daunting challenges will need super-competency not only in their chosen professions – as taught by most institutions of higher learning – but also equal competency in social transformation and a strong adherence to truth, ethical, spiritual and moral values. This triad of competencies is critical to tackling the current degradation of society. As you ponder these attributes – how many leaders come to your mind that are brilliant in their professions, have created effective viable and affordable solutions to our societal challenges and espouse, role-model and teach strong moral, ethical and spiritual values?
Fortunately, while we do not have enough Satyagrahi Leaders there are a few. I have chosen a dozen in my book – they are male, female, Caucasians, African American, Japanese, 1st Nation, Middle Eastern, East Indian – from different races, faiths, and nationalities thus introducing that these distinctions are not important in the development of Satyagrahi Leaders. You will be surprised that these leaders I have chosen are not Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, MLK Junior and other famous people that may come into your mind. Rather they are rare and relatively unknown, unsung heroes that are indeed exemplary of the above competencies and are changing the world. It is my hope that emerging and existing leaders will be inspired to emulate these competencies and help move us to a world that is inclusive, compassionate, and one that works for everyone.
We do not live just at home and work – we live in a community. Every community suffers from societal ills and as leaders with a high level of the above-developed triad of skills and an unwavering commitment, it is our moral duty to tackle these societal ills and leave a better world for our children and grandchildren. My mother was one such leader and therefore featured in a chapter in this book. Sadly, she passed in April of 2017 before she could read the book, so I have dedicated this book to her spirit and stellar legacy. She was a rock in my life and inspired me to write this book. Mama, you are missed and loved by many and I know that your blessings of this book will inspire many young and emerging leaders to be more like you.
Peace and many blessings.
Azim Khamisa
