Title: Sage - The Fourth School on Leadership
Since the cognitive revolution in humanity about 70,000 years ago, humans have mastered the art of cooperation on a massive scale. No species on Earth has the tendency to form as big cooperative societies as humans do, leading to the establishment of large cities, nations, and civilizations. Without humans forming large cooperative societies together, humans would not have been able to ward off threats from other species, given that they are one of the weakest mammals in the world. However, with the formation of societies came the need for leadership and the question of who should wield power to guide these vast associations of people.
For centuries, philosophers have grappled with the concept of leadership and who should have power to lead the society. From households to corporations, from governments to geopolitics, power has played a pivotal role in keeping people together. So far, there are three ideal models of leadership.
The first model was put forward by Plato when he proposed the concept of the ‘Philosopher King’ in the 4th century BCE. He believed that power should reside with all-knowing philosophers. He believed that those who have the knowledge and expertise to take society forward should wield power. However, he overlooked the need for societal consent and failed to address the potential for abuse of power by those who claim to possess superior knowledge.
The second school of power came from Niccolo Machiavelli. He came up with the idea of the ‘Prince’ in the 16th century CE. He believed that power should be exercised by a person who is pragmatic. A leader who is not scared of using cunning methods to maintain power. He acknowledged the harsh realities of politics, yet he neglected the ethical considerations and disregarded the well-being of society in pursuit of self-preservation.
The third model of power was put forward by Friedrich Nietzsche when he popularized the idea of the ‘Übermensch’ in the 19th century CE. He believed that power should reside with someone who is free from traditional frameworks. A person who pursues individual greatness than collective good. This model on power risks promoting a self-centered approach to leadership that may undermine societal cohesion and promote selfishness.
While these historical models offer valuable insights into the dynamics of leadership, they also highlight the need for a more holistic understanding of power. This brings us to the proposed fourth model - Sage. It presents an alternative approach to leadership which envisions a leader driven by an ideology and consciousness, and capable of harnessing influence from masses to propel society forward. Unlike previous models, which often neglect societal preferences or ethical considerations, the Sage model emphasizes the importance of empathy, integrity, and a deep connection to the collective well-being.
To know more, please refer the book "Power of Sage" by Waqas Awan, now available on Amazon
.