In an age of equal opportunity, leadership is continuously challenged with cultural and Social dynamics that are acutely embedded in our belief systems. These sociocultural dynamics frame a system of power and control that subliminally dictate thought, decisions and behavior. No one is immune to the impact of this hegemonic structure designed to govern every field of human endeavor. Elements of these two pivotal perspectives that are extremely important to consider include: gender, race, class, nation, sexual orientation, age, religion, language and physical ability. Whether personal or professional it is our responsibility, as leaders, to strengthen our influence through effective communication strategies while building bridges of mutual benefit and benevolence to gain buy-in.
In most imaginable categorizations, our society can be divided into dominant and Subordinate Groups. Think about the aforementioned elements that contribute to sociocultural tenants, from each of these viewpoints there are obvious disparities between dominant and subordinate groups that assign power and status illustrating a distinct social order. Because of our societal construct, dominant agents experience privilege while subjugated targets are in turn oppressed. For every social category that is privileged, one or more other categories are oppressed in relation to it. We all are shaped by individual characteristics, Family Dynamics, Historical Factors, and social and political contexts. Who am I? The answer depends in large part on who the world around me says I am. As a generalization, we unconsciously acquire our belief system from these external authorities and express them as if conceived by us alone. This is important because consideration must be given to origin of family dynamics, historical factors, and social and political contexts; Who and what contributed to their construction and validity? These belief systems are deeply rooted in every aspect of lives and play major roles in how we see ourselves and others, how we treat ourselves and others. As we look at the complexities of privilege and oppression through the eyes of targets and agents, we see education as a backdrop to cascades showered across every other industry. It is education that constructs these bridges connecting inquiry and advocacy for efficacious leading and learning. Observing education as the central ingredient that connects us, our ideas and our convictions to others, we see the process of learning as a catalyst to individual and organizational growth. Learning, in this context, is not only acquiring more information, but also perfecting and polishing existing intelligence to frame and articulate our argument(s). So, the questions become, how, why and what are we as Leaders doing about it? Great Selling!
www.rudyjamison.com | www.eback9.com | [email protected]
Rudy F. Jamison Jr. | www.eback9.com | www.rudyjamison.com | [email protected]
