Who are the Leader-Sages?

Recently I wrote a blog post about former Czech president Vaclav Haval, and described him as a "Leader-Sage". Today I am going to spell out what I believe to be the qualities and attributes of a Leader-Sage. This is part of a book I am writing called Leading with Spirit. There is also a workshop series I will soon be beginning on the same subject.

I would love to hear readers' thoughts on the subject, including who you think are the notable and great Leader-Sages of history (present and past). These people don't necessarily have to be famous leaders of nations nor of masses of people. As an example of a smaller-scale Leader-Sage, I would nominate Jessica, the extraordinary woman who taught me so much about Integrated Intelligence. Then there are artists, writers, musicians, designers, architects and so on. One thing they must do - or have done - is lead and/or influence people in some positive way that contributes to the evolution of human consciousness.

One criteria I have included that defines what I mean by a “Leader-Sage” is having a high Integrated Intelligence. This basically means being able to tap into the extended mind - which connects an individual’s mind to non-local consciousness – and then being able to use that information to make wise decisions. This is obviously not something that many leaders would readily admit to, even if they were able to do it. So it does make this particular aspect of Leader-Sages difficult to pinpoint. Spiritual leaders would be the most willing to discuss such an ability, while leaders of state would be the least likely, for obvious reasons. Those leaders who engage in prayer or meditative reflection of some kind are obviously employing their Integrated Intelligence.

Of course not every Leader-Sage will exemplify all the qualities I outline below.

Just a few names that I would consider putting on the list of Leader-Sages would be:
Gandhi, Jesus Christ, Mother Teresa, The Dalai Lama, Martin Luther-King, Jean Housten, Carl Jung, Lao Zi, and Leonard Jacobson. I would also put my futurist-mentor Sohail Inayatullah in there. He fits just about all the criteria. I am sure you can think of many more.

Generally, I would tend to exclude people with big egos who use their power for manipulation and control. But there are degrees here...

Here's a little that I have written on the subject so far. "LWS" = Leading with Spirit.

Overview

We stand at the precarious edge of one of the most challenging times in human history, and the need for spiritual leadership has never been greater. The world economic crisis threatens to create political conflict between religions, nations and civilisations. Futurist Sohail Inayatullah has pointed out that in business circles leaders need to be able to compliment the triple bottom line of people, planet and profit with a fourth bottom line: spirituality. An advanced Integrated Intelligence not only potentially equips leaders with business advantages such as greater foresight and ability to read the market; it also establishes a foundation for ethical business practice and enhanced corporate responsibility.

Most people agree on the essential attributes and qualities that make good traditional leaders. These might include being smart, being decisive, and being experienced in - and informed of - their domain of expertise. Many would also argue that they should to be charismatic, be able to inspire and to lead by example, and that they should be honest and morally upright.

However these qualities are no longer enough. LWS states that there are several attributes that Leader-Sages of the future must possess, beyond those of traditional leaders.

1. Wisdom. Leader-Sages are wise (not just smart).

2. Love and compassion. Without these qualities, we cannot say a leader is ‘spiritual.’

3. Empowerment tempered by humility. A great leader must be able to stand in their power as man or a woman. This means developing a capacity to connect deeply with one’s psyche and to bring the unconscious drives of the ego into full awareness. It also entails leaders becoming conscious of how they potentially give their power away to others, both in real-word relationships and in regard to the consciousness fields in which their minds are embedded. Personal empowerment must also come with humility, the awareness that one cannot identify with the fractured ego states that tend to format personal identity. Empowerment means having the courage to say no to those whose intentions are driven by ego-based agendas.

4. Self-reflective honesty. Many politicians and CEOs of the modern age are notable for their capacity for deception. Conversely, the Leader-Sages are noted for their honesty and capacity to reflect upon the motivations which drive their behavior.

5. Connection with Spirit. The Leader-Sage is able to draw upon the wisdom of Spirit at will, or at least be able to consciously engage in counsel with that intelligence. It is acknowledged that Spirit does not always provide explicit ‘answers’ to questions. However a fundamental premise of LWS is that spiritual guidance is available to all human beings, and that everyone can learn to tap into it, and learn how to use it effectively.

6. Integrated Intelligence. Leader-Sages have the ability to read individual and collective consciousness fields. This includes the capacity to read the psyches of others and to intuit their true intentions. It also means being able to connect with spiritual sources of guidance and inspiration. An associated capacity is being able to discern the essence of the collective consciousness fields of clients, interest groups, religious movements, nations and civilisations; including the overall archetypal energy of specific periods in history, both long and short. This assists the Leader-Sage in knowing how to manage people and make wise decisions.

7. Emotional intelligence. Leader-Sages are able to assume responsibility for their emotional energy, including their projections at other individuals and groups. They know how to avoid wasting energy on unnecessary ‘drama’ and conflict.

8. Knowledge of the Soul Template and the Human Oversoul Template. Knowing their Soul Issues enables the Leader-Sages’ high emotional intelligence, and helps them to see the world as it is, not via the prism of the ego. Further, understanding the Human Oversoul Template and its archetypal shifts of consciousness allows a Leader-Sage to take wise action and implement policies which contribute the creation of preferable human futures.

9. Equanimity. The great modern leader is at peace with himself. He is able to bring himself into quiet presence at will. It is in this state of quiet presence that he is able to feel and a sense the truth, and stand in his power.

10. A willingness to serve the higher good. Transcendence of the innate self-centeredness of the ego and a commitment to the selfless service to humanity is a prime characteristic of the Leader-Sage.

Who are your Leader-Sages??

Marcus