Leadership in an Art - Inclusiveness

The book Leadership is an Art by Max De Pree, is the single book that has had profound influence on my leadership style. I'm fortunate enough to lead some of the most outstanding and humble folks and the ideas of the book has helped me to make a small difference in their lives. I'll share key concepts of the book in a few posts.

Each of us is needed. Each of us has a gift to bring. Each of us is a social being and our institutions are social units. Each of us has a deep seated desire to contribute. Sn inclusive systems requires us to be insiders. One can define this inclusive approach in three ways.

First, there are certain marks of being included:

• being needed
• being involved
• being cared about as an individual
• fair wages and benefits
• having the opportunity to do one's best 
• having the opportunity to understand
• having a piece of action - productivity gains, profit sharing, ownership appreciation

Second, inclusive approach makes the institution place of fulfilled potential. Leadership is a condition of indebtedness. Leaders who have an inclusive attitude think of themselves as owing, at the very least the following:

• space:  gift to be what I can be
• the opportunity to serve
• the gift of challenge: we don't grow unless we're tested
• the gift of meaning: not superfluous, but worthy; not superficial, but integral; not disposable, but permanent

Finally, Inclusive capitalism requires something from everyone. People must respond actively to inclusiveness. Naturally, there is a cost too belonging.

• Being faithful is more important than being successful (integrity)
• Reaching our potential is more important than reaching our goals
• Belonging requires us to be willing and ready to risk. 
• Belongingness requires intimacy, It means adding value and forgoing superficiality
• Last, we need to be learners together. We need to be searching for maturity, openness, and sensitivity

"Inclusiveness means including normal human problems in the system"