Renegotiating 'value': what faiths offer 21st century business leadership

Renegotiating 'value': what faiths offer 21st century business leadership is a seminar series which seeks to explore the benefit and challenge of faith traditions in leading sustainable businesses. Each of the faith traditions contain resources for leadership in their spiritual values and teachings. Sometimes these come through the teaching of these communities and sometimes through the examples of past or current leaders. In recent years such teaching and examples have been increasingly applied to the realm of work with the result that a broadly-based Spirituality at Work movement has emerged providing additional resources relating to leadership.

Faiths in London’s Economy, which works with faith communities in order to create coordinated faith-community responses to the issues facing London's economy, has sought, through this seminar series, to explore a broader understanding of value than that linked solely to monetary value. These seminars are therefore intended to be a timely and necessary contribution to those challenges currently facing society generally and the world of business in particular.

Underpinning our thinking has been the idea that we may be in a moment in time when recession, the credit crunch and the ecological crisis are combining to bring about profound shifts in the global economy. A ‘third way’ or ‘middle path’ is needed between nationalisation and capitalism based on agreed standards of ethics, environmental and social responsibility and a broad understanding of wealth and value. Our discussion of what faiths offer to 21st century business leadership and of ways in which inspirational leadership can be sustained in the face of human imperfections is a valid and vital contribution to the development of that paradigm shift.

Our first seminar was entitled 'Profit vs Prophet: making money and making a difference, are they opposed?' and was held at the St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace on Thursday 7th October. Presentations from Mannie Sher (Tavistock Institute), Abigail Morris (ResponseAbility) and Harmander Singh (Faith-based Regeneration Network) provided a rich variety of faith perspectives on and approaches to the topic.

Mannie Sher began with the Biblical prophets, and the prophet Micah in particular, sketching out the context into which they spoke and highlighting the way in which they demonstrated the courage to denounce the corruption of rulers, sympathise with the poor and call for justice as being the essence of God's demands. The prophets however were opposed to excessive and unequal profits, and not to profit per se. In an Agrarian society, production cannot be solely for immediate consumption, some produce must be stored for future planting and a contemporary equivalent may be the division of one third for direct costs, one third for indirect costs and one third as profits for future investment. Time is a key factor as profiteers seek to shorten work processes to maximise profits and are solely concerned with profits in the present rather than investment for the future.

Current research undertaken by Sher, with Alison Gill, seems to suggest that bankers may inhabit a bubble where their only talk is of investments and decisions are made solely on the basis of how much a particular investment has increased. In speaking about the banking crisis they seemed only able to talk in terms of headline phrases and seem unsure of how to judge their part in a systemic failure. The system seems to be drunk on debt and has distorted negatives into positives, so that 'Greed is good'. A middle way is needed which understands that money is more than the value of the things we buy, as it is also a vehicle for our fantasies (conscious imagination) and phantasies (inner unconcious). We need both prophets and profiteers in order to marry the wisdom, humility and care of the prophets to the wit and acumen of the profiteers.

Abigail Morris provided a different model for translating the wisdom of the Jewish tradition into the contemporary business world by utilising the insights of psychological and sociological research into wellbeing. Research demonstrates that beyond what is, in the West, a minimal level of wealth (£20,000 per annum) levels of well being do not increase with income. Levels of well being for those with wealth are reduced by surrounding poverty and levels of mental ill health are also high and rising in the affluent West. Positive psychology impacts on wellbeing, including health and longevity.

Based on such scientific evidence, the new economics foundation has created a set of five simple actions which can improve well-being in everyday life. These have clear corrollaries to teaching within Judaism: Give (Tzedakah) - being a volunteer and giving to charity has consistently been shown to be hugely beneficial, both mentally and physically; Connect (Kehilah) - people cope better if they are part of community networks and possess strong relationships with friends and family; Be Active (P'ilot v'kasher) - exercise is not just about physical health, but mental wellbeing as well; Keep Learning (Torah) - learning new skills stimulates the mind and can have long term benefits in reducing your chances of developing dementia or alzheimers; and Take Notice (Tefilah) - reflecting on your surroundings and your feelings can help you to appreciate what matters to you most. To these, and based on the work of Martin Seligman, ResponseAbility add Gratitude (Berachot) as studies have shown that if people take time at the end of every day to reflect on things that have gone well there is a marked increase in well-being. It is worth noting that none of these steps towards well being are about making money. Instead, the scripture says, "choose life, that you may live."

Harmander Singh noted that the Sikh Gurus bestowed upon the Sikhs the concept of Miri-Piri and Raj Jog which is princely living according to Gurmat (Guru's teaching/thinking) and therefore is attuned to the Almighty. Miri-Piri is the balance between Spiritual and Temporal living and is denoted by the two crossed swords in the Sikh symbol, the Khanda. All Sikhs are encouraged to be householders but this does not mean becoming property developers or Peter Rachman's. It is acceptable to be rich as long as you live according to the principles of Gurmat and not indulge in un-Sikh businesses or those businesses which force you to a life that is anything but "honest living."

Here, the three basic principles of Sikhi always apply. These are: Naam Japna, Kirat Karni and Vand ke Shakna. Naam Japna is to remember God lovingly during all waking moments. Kirat Karni means making an honest living that is according to Gurmat living. Selling alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, and being in the adult entertainment business are activities which Gurmat strictly forbids. Vand Ke Shakna is to share with others, especially the needy and vulnerable. As there is no Welfare State equivalent worth mentioning in certain parts of the world and certainly not in the times gone by, Sikhs donate (Daswandh or Darshan Pehta) whatever they can from their earnings to the Gurdwara - which is more than just a place for congregational worship as it provides a centre where support of all kinds can be sought either directly or signposted.

In her first public engagement since the Privileges and Conduct Committee report which suspended her from the House of Lords, Baroness Uddin spoke at the second seminar in the series, ‘Bonus vs Pro Bono’, which explored the place of inspirational leadership in renegotiating 'value',

Baroness Uddin stated that, although speaking both as a woman and a Muslim, she primarily wanted to contribute as someone who has seen inspirational leaders in action throughout her professional career. She summarised the qualities for leadership in Islam as: hikmah (wisdom, insight); taqwa (love and fear of Allah); ‘adl (justice) and rahmah (compassion); courage and bravery; shura (mutual consultation); decisiveness and being resolute; eloquence; a spirit of self-sacrifice; and sabr (patience).

These are the qualities, she said, that build and sustain strong communities and enable the tackling of prejudice and Islamophobia as well as the male discrimination and family pressure that women suffer when seeking employment. Despite these challenges and stereotypes, more and more women, increasingly proactive, are interested in participating in ESOL and information technology classes. This willingness is a massive opportunity to engage women's participation. We need to move beyond lip service into the realm of equity, she argued, by genuinely reflecting the community in our workforces.

Peter Hyson of Change Perspectives Ltd shared research indicating that ‘spirituality’ is an essential component of outstanding leadership and value. Any discussion of successful leadership and of value, he argued, must involve spirituality as business success requires outstanding leaders and for most of us the leaders we most admire exhibit strong presence of those spiritual values identified through US research. So why, especially in times of recession and economic struggle, is the silence so deafening? I answer, he suggested that there are two endemic problems: an unchallenged assumption that spirituality and work are like oil and water – never to be mixed; and a lack of a commonly understood and shared vocabulary.

Hyson identified approaches to time and space, tolerance of imperfection, servant leadership, and peace and equanimity as characteristics of leadership, value and spirituality before challenging participants not only to identify such characteristics but also to provide the opportunity, the greenhouse, where they can be nurtured.

The resulting discussions have explored among other issues:

• barriers to the discussion of workplace spirituality and means of overcoming these;
• the importance of the legacy which we leave in terms of empowerment and stewardship;
• the extent of engagement with spirituality outside of organised religion; spirituality as a driver for more meaningful work;
• tensions between the leadership ideals of faith tradition and the fallibility of human beings; the relationship between the systems we inhabit and our human emotions;
• the ability of wealth to feed a feeling of omnipotence and of common wealth to equal common well being;
• the importance of primary theology which begins with God's economy and challenges the current situation;
• the reality of change as organisations recognise that in order to gain business you also have to contribute to society;
• the understanding of wealth as a gift from the Almighty, a loan to us with a duty to ensure that everyone benefits according to their need;
• our responsibility for the way in which society promotes greed and consumption; the delinking, by Richard Nixon, of the dollar from gold and the hyper-Capitalism that we have experienced from this point onwards.

A third seminar exploring who it is that businesses are and should be accountable to and the difference this makes to their structure and operation is being planned. Ideas emerging for action from these seminars include a faith-based contribution to the Finance Lab and a Foundation for Business Ethics and Spirituality. Further information and debate on the issues and the seminars can be found at http://renegotiatingvalue.blogspot.com/.

Renegotiating ‘value’ is a seminar series organised by Faiths in London’s Economy (FiLE) in association with: Ethos HumanCapital; Faith Regen Foundation; The Grubb Institute; Mission in London’s Economy; the SmithMartin Partnership; and St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace.

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Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Homeless.

Renegotiating 'value': Bonus vs Pro Bono

Tomorrow afternoon I'll be at 'Bonus vs Pro Bono', the second in a series of Renegotiating 'value' seminars organised through Faiths in London's Economy. This seminar seeks to explore the value of inspirational leadership in business and will be held in the St Martin's Hall at St Martin-in-the-Fields (Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ) between 4.00 and 6.30pm.

The Renegotiating 'value': what faiths offer 21st century business leadership seminar series aims to explore the benefit and challenge of faith traditions in leading sustainable businesses. A blog for the series containing information, presentations and discussion can be found at http://renegotiatingvalue.blogspot.com/.

Here are brief biographies of the speakers at tomorrow's seminar, Peter Hyson (Change Perspectives Ltd) and Baroness Uddin:

In the book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, a confused Alice seeks directions from the Cheshire Cat. “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," says the Cat. "I don't much care where - " Alice replies. "Then it doesn't much matter which way you go," retorts the Cat. "-- so long as I get somewhere," Alice adds as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," says the Cat, "if only you walk long enough." In one sense, that might summarise Peter Hyson's life and career to date! For much of it, he’s not necessarily been totally clear where he’s been heading. He’s not one of those people who while they were still in short trousers fixed on a goal in life and single-mindedly pursued it until it was grasped and held aloft in a triumphant fist! The middle distance has often only emerged slowly out of the very definite mists of time. More specifically, that’s manifested itself in his work as a professional swimming coach, a senior teacher, a Church of England vicar, in working with the most senior leaders in leadership development and managing change and, more recently in writing novels and scripts and in TV production. A Handbook for Coaching with Meaning and Spirituality is currently with Routledge. And throughout all those areas, people have been grappling with the question that so perplexed Alice: the area of spirituality, quest for meaning and the drawing to something or someone outside of and greater than ourselves.

Baroness Uddin was the first Muslim woman in the House of Lords. Born in Bangladesh and brought up in England, she is an advociate of social reforms and equal rights. A formidable champion for women, Lady Uddin was invited to the House of Lords in 1998 for her contribution to the advancement of women's and disability rights. She began her professional and political career in the 1970's, in the East End of London, developing a number of leading edge and well-regarded services and organisations. Many of these have since come to be accepted as benchmarks for sustainable development and community engagement. Baroness Uddin has served on the Government's Select Committee on European Affairs and has chaired several Government task forces, under the auspices of the Prime Minister's office, the Home Office and the FCO. She also chaired the Government's Taskforce on Ethnic Minority Women Councillors.

The seminar costs £5.00 (pay on the door) and you would be very welcome if you are able to come. Renegotiating ‘value’ is a seminar series organised by Faiths in London’s Economy (FiLE) in association with: Ethos HumanCapital; Faith Regen Foundation; The Grubb Institute; Mission in London’s Economy; the SmithMartin Partnership; St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace.
 
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Jakob Dylan - Holy Rollers for Love.

Renegotiating 'value'

I have recently started a new blog called Renegotiating 'value' which has been set up as a discussion space for a seminar series exploring the benefit and challenge of faith traditions in leading sustainable businesses.

The series has three seminars:

• Profit vs Prophet exploring whether making money or making a difference are opposed. Speakers: Jay Lakhani (Hindu Council UK), Abigail Morris (ResponseAbility), Mannie Sher (Tavistock Institute). Thursday 7th October, 4.00 – 6.30pm, St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace, 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG;
• Bonus vs Pro Bono exploring the place of inspirational leadership in renegotiating 'value'. Speakers: Peter Hyson (Change Perspectives), Bruce Irvine (Grubb Institute), Baronness Uddin. Thursday 4th November, 4.00 – 6.30pm, St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 4JJ; and
• Stakeholder vs shareholder value exploring who it is that businesses are/should be accountable to and the difference this makes to their structure and operation. Speakers: tbc. Date: tbc. Venue: tbc.

Cost: £5.00 per seminar. For seminar 1 registration is online here or by phoning 020 7496 1610. For seminars 2 & 3 phone 020 8599 2170 or email jonathan.evens@btinternet.com. Further publicity will be added once the details of seminar 3 are finalised.

Renegotiating ‘value’: a seminar series organised by Faiths in London’s Economy (FiLE) in association with: Ethos HumanCapital; Faith Regen Foundation; The Grubb Institute; Mission in London’s Economy; St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation & Peace.

FiLE works with faith communities in order to create coordinated faith-community responses to the issues facing London's economy.
 
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Zbigniew Preisner - Road.

Faith & Climate Change (3)

Dr. Mark Collins, Director, Commonwealth Foundation

Dr. Mark Collins, Omar Faruk (Founder Director, Eco-Muslims), Baroness Uddin

Omar Faruk & Baroness Uddin

The Faith and Climate Change conference ran alongside the Young Commonwealth Climate change Summit and both shared an opening session addressed by Ransford Smith, Deputy-Secretary General of the Commonwealth and Dr Fatiha Serour, Director of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, among others.

Dr Cyrus Rustomjee, Director of the Commonwealth Economic Affairs Division, argued that the ideas and innovation of young people was needed to break the current deadlock in global negotiations on climate change. Dr Mark Collins, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation said that partnerships were required for a more equitable and sustainable future and so it was a powerful act to bring young people and faith communities together at the beginning of their respective events. Dr Farah Faizal, High Commissioner of the Maldives, spoke of countries such as the Maldives being in the frontline of the battle against climate change and suggested that the frontline is a good source of intelligence for the battle. She spoke of the involvement of young people in the 350 campaign and argued that the key to change was the move from plight to potential in the switch from old energy sources to renewables.

In response, youth delegates from India, Canada, Sierra Leone, Singapore, and the Caribbean Region spoke of difficulties in motivating their governments to engage with the issues and laid down a challenge to rich countries to pay the price for the pollution which has caused the crisis and which predominantly affects poorer countries. In a Youth Programme film, young people said that they would not remain silent while their future is threatened.

Delegates at the Faith and Climate Change conference then heard from a panel of faith leaders (including myself - my contribution will be a separate post) who spoke about their faith tradition and its response to the environment. Jeffrey Newman described the central teaching of Judaism as hearing, listening to, and understanding all people who struggle with God as being or existence, the wonder of what is. Ranchor Prime and Dr Atul Shah both emphasised the significance of ahimsa (the concept of non-violence to all living creatures) are fundamental to Hinduism and Jainism respectively. Dr Shah argued that the Abrahamic faiths had placed human beings at the centre of the universe but that Jainism did not do this. Barney Leith spoke of the Baha'i's teaching that the human heart cannot be segregated from the environment; that the two are interdependent and act one upon the other. The Venerable Amaranatha spoke of the simplicity of a Buddhist monk's life and suggested that as we make ourselves peaceful, the environment will be peaceful.

The conference's keynote address was given by Dr Mark Collins who began by highlighting the tendency among Commonwealth Head of Government to be reticent on faith issues due to the complex patterns of religious belief across the Commonwealth. The annual service at Westminster Abbey on the Commonwealth theme was one example of good practice in engaging with faith communities however and in 2008 had enabled faith leaders to address the theme of 'The Environment - Our Future'.

A more positive engagement with faith communities was now emerging through the need for partnerships to address climate change and helped by the Commonwealth Foundation report 'Engaging with Faith'. Faith groups are the cornerstone of civil society, forge networks of trust and united by beliefs in the human responsibility to respect one another and the earth. National partnerships, such as Stop Climate Chaos, were effective in influencing national governments but were less effective in international forums. Faith groups however can mobilise people across national boundaries and interests.

This conference was then an opportunity to send a strong message to Commonwealth Head of Government about the contribution of faith communities to the climate change crisis. This was vital because it is no longer acceptable for governments to squabble over narrow national interests when emergency plans are already in place for evacuations of islands in the Commonwealth threatened with inundation through rising sea levels.

The conference was supported by two Muslim peers (Lord Sheikh and Baroness Uddin) and was organised partly by a Muslim-led multi-faith organisation in Faith Regen Foundation, whose CEO Dr Husna Ahmad spoke on 'Faith and Community Development'. The conference was therefore a demonstration of the engagement of British Muslims with mainstream political processes and issues. This was highlighted by Omar Faruk who, in speaking of the philosophy of EcoMuslim, thanked Lord Sheikh and Baroness Uddin for their personal support and encouragement and spoke of British Muslims as a bridge between East and West.

Prior to the conference focus groups had been held with local communities in Bangladesh, Brazil, Gambia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, and the UK. The finding from these groups were summarised and highlighted significantly different patterns of climate change around the globe leading to very different approaches to the issue by governments, ranging from a lack of awareness to significant action. Often there was a lack of awareness at grassroots level and faith communities were viewed positively in terms of their knowledge and enthusiasm on the relationship between faith and climate change. There was a need to further educate faith leaders on the issue and to institutionalise the faith contribution in political and educational processes but faith communities were seen as: providing support and hope in crises; a source of unity between peoples; having perspectives on the environment; and fuelling action.

Conference delegates also heard about initiatives such as the Earth Charter (which has recently been adopted by the Episcopal Church) and Faiths' Long Term Commitments for a Living Planet, an Alliance of Religions and Conservation and United Nations initiative. Delegates were also offered the opportunity to begin contributing diaries on personal approaches to climate change to the Creative Climate project being run by The Open University and the BBC.

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Mohammed Yahya & Poetic Pilgrimage - Earth Cry.