The Power of We

There’s no denying that a strong leader can be a powerful force. But what if we’ve been approaching leadership all wrong? What if, instead of trying to go it alone, we embraced the power of “we”?

At the heart of this notion is the African concept of Ubuntu, which translates roughly to “I am because we are.” The idea is that we can only reach our full potential when we work together as a community. That’s a message that resonates with many leaders around the world.

In fact, over 250 global leaders recently came together at Ducere Global Business School to share they do leadership differently. Their goal is to break through glass ceilings and offer n a fresh perspective—one that takes into account the needs of everyone in your organisations, not just those at the top.

This isn’t just an abstract exercise; there are concrete steps we can take to put these ideas into practice. Here are three ways to start doing leadership differently and begin tapping into the power of “we”:

1. Encourage diversity and inclusion.

A key part of doing leadership differently is making sure our organisations are reflecting the diversity of our societies. That means creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong, and their voices are heard. It also means ensuring that our leaders reflect the demographics of the people they serve. After all, research shows that more diverse organisations are more successful—so it’s good for business, too!

2. Foster collaboration, not competition.

In most organisations, there’s a clear hierarchy in place. But what if we turned that on its head and encouraged more collaboration between different levels of employees? This would not only help to build trust and loyalty, but it would also lead to better decision-making overall. After all, two (or more) heads are often better than one!

3. Lead with empathy.

One quality that all great leaders share is empathy—the ability to see things from another person’s perspective and understand their feelings. With empathy comes compassion, which is essential for creating a safe and supportive environment where people feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things. When our employees feel valued and appreciated, they’re more likely to be engaged and productive members of our team.

The world is changing rapidly, and organisations must change with it if they want to stay competitive. That’s why it’s more important than ever for leaders to embrace the power of “we”.  By promoting diversity and inclusion, fostering collaboration, and leading with empathy, we can tap into the power of collective intelligence and create workplaces that maximise everyone’s talents and contributions.  

It’s time to do leadership differently—are you ready to join us?