Leadership as Trusteeship - Insights from Global History

Join me on a journey through my global travels and historical explorations, as we uncover profound leadership insights, grounded in the ethos of trust

I have a penchant for visiting museums whenever I travel. Those visits afford me a deeper understanding of a country's history, cultural traditions, and societal values. It's fascinating to explore the totems, beliefs, and ethos of different civilizations, especially ancient ones.

One memorable experience took place during a visit to a palace museum in Venice, The Doge Palace, nestled along the lagoon.

As I traversed through its opulent halls, including reception areas and the regal meeting chambers, I was captivated by the grandeur surrounding me. However, it was upon entering the king's private quarters that I was struck by a stark contrast. The austerity of his living space, in contrast to the lavishness elsewhere, left a profound impression. The simplicity of the furnishings and decor spoke of the king's humility and groundedness.

Our guide offered insights into the king's daily routine, showing us the articles he used, and shedding light on his modest lifestyle. The king spent his morning hours from 3:30 am to 5:30 am in prayer. Praying to the Lord to become a worthy instrument of the empowerment and position received from the Lord. He also saw the Lord as the proprietor of the wealth and power invested with him. He saw himself as a custodian & trustee of the same. I have noticed something similar in other palace museums in Italy, Cambodia, and India. In the Udaipur palace in India, the kings had simpler chambers than the rest of the palace. They spent a good amount of time in prayer and contemplation in how best to serve the citizens. They saw themselves as instruments of the Lord's empowerment. They saw their kingship as a service on behalf of the Lord.

In Thailand, the Grand Palace is a major tourist attraction. It glorifies Lord Rama and Buddha and the dynasties are said to be informed by their teachings. The king is also coronated as a trustee in the Lord's service. Their dynasty is the Rama dynasty and the current king is Rama X (King Vajiralongkorn)

The Grand Palace, Bangkok- Residence of the kings of the Rama dynasty

The same is the case in Cambodia. A lot of the king's inner guidance came from the story of the Churning of the Milk Ocean (a true story where the demons and the Gods collaborated with each other) which inspires one to cultivate a divine mindset while subduing the demoniac mindset. So much so, that in the Angkor Vat Vishnu temple built by them, one entire region is dedicated to a 49-meter-long intricately carved bas-relief depicting this pastime. As I interacted with diverse locals there, I found that pastime had informed their consciousness as well. Across Siem Reap, there are various depictions of the same pastimes on buildings, archways, bridges, and more.

I was watching a documentary recently on Egyptian culture.

The Egyptian Pharaoh was considered as a medium between the Gods and mortals and ruled on behalf of the Gods. Their statues had big ears to represent that they heard the guidance of the Gods in service to their citizens. In another article I have shared how King Prithu saw himself as a custodian of the Lord's wealth and considered himself as a servant of the citizens.

Modern leaders as custodians and trustees

As a business owner and senior leader, you too are entrusted with a sacred empowerment, vested in you by the divine, the company, shareholders, customers, and the board. By leading with a strong connection to a higher purpose, one can transcend the ego and serve as a steward of trust, empowerment, and prosperity for all stakeholders.

Just as these kings saw themselves as custodians of the kingdom's wealth with the Lord as the proprietor, leaders can see themselves as custodians of their company's resources and assets. Just as the kings saw themselves as trustees of the well-being and holistic growth of their citizens, similarly modern leaders are trustees for shareholder interests, employees, customers, and the community.

How does this mindset help leaders?

Viewing themselves as custodians and trustees can help leaders lead with egolessness and flow freely in their leadership.

Takes the pressure off: Leaders perform better when they are serving others than when they are serving themselves. Connecting with a divine purpose and cause beyond themselves, empowers them beyond measure. When there is no pressure for personal gain and results, leaders are able to rid themselves of anxiety and serve with calm. They are able to lead with detachment.
Better results: Freedom from the ego enables leaders to perform better and achieve superior results by allowing them to focus wholeheartedly on the mission and the needs of others.
Create a supportive environment: When leaders prioritize serving a higher purpose rather than personal gain, they cultivate a culture of collaboration and innovation within their teams. Team members feel valued and empowered to contribute their best efforts.
Objective decision-making: Additionally, without the distraction of ego-driven desires, leaders can make decisions more objectively, considering the long-term impact on stakeholders and the organization as a whole.
Loyalty and dedication: Moreover, when leaders lead with humility and integrity, they inspire loyalty and dedication from their teams.

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Categories: Leadership