In community leadership, the essence of humanity, rooted in Latin humanitas, beckons us towards a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness. Humanity transcends the mere gathering of individuals; it embodies the kind feelings we harbor for one another and stands as a virtue interwoven with the ethics of altruism. The human condition, a complex kaleidoscope of birth, learning, emotion, aspiration, morality, conflict, and death, forms the backdrop against which humanity unfolds.
As communities (both at work and in life) grapple with shifting values and ethics, steering away from a shared sense of humanity, the perilous path of individualism and vested interests looms. This phenomenon of individualism finds its roots in a focus on personal feelings and self-actualization, championed by great minds like Emerson and Thoreau. However, I would argue that in order to find ourselves, we have lost each other. The antidote to strict individualism lies in the love of humanity, a force that transcends self-interest and places communal well-being at its core.
At the heart of this transformative love is the concept of hesed, a uniquely Hebrew term merging "love" and "loyalty." Often translated as "steadfast love," hesed encapsulates commitment and sacrifice - an unwavering, one-way love. I give much of the credit for my stumbling upon this humble, yet powerful word to Paul Miller’s A Loving Life. Applying hesed in community leadership involves following through on truths, morals, ethics, and commitments, regardless of your immediate feelings or reciprocation expectations. Or, as Paul Miller calls it, “love without an exit strategy.”
Let’s go on the way other side of the contemporary spectrum by drawing parallels from iconic scenes in Chris Nolan's Dark Knight (Batman) trilogy, where we actually find the essence of hesed. Batman, an epitome of community protection and servanthood, exemplifies the philosophy that in order to gain, one must serve. This commitment-love, devoid of fairness, becomes a bedrock for Batman, standing resilient against the moodiness of emotions and the ebb and flow of community dynamics.
I’m specifically reminded of two scenes in the trilogy. At the end of the first movie, Batman Begins, Gary Oldman playing Lt. Jim Gordan says regretfully, “I never said thank you.” Christian Bale, playing Batman, stoically climbs on top of the building’s ledge and says, “And, you’ll never have to” before heroically jumping off in pure Batman fashion. Check out the clip here.
At the end of the second movie, The Dark Knight, the now Commissioner Gordan, again says, “Thank You” after Batman saves Gotham and Gordan’s family in one night. Batman replies, “You don’t have to thank me” before vanishing into the night only to be chased by the community he just saved.
Why is practicing hesed crucial for community leaders? Emotions prove fickle, and life, unpredictable. Accepting ambiguity becomes paramount in the realm of love, as it allows us to see beyond binary perspectives of good and evil, right and left, blue and red, poor and rich. Hesed acknowledges the paradox that no one is purely evil or purely good, urging leaders to remain faithful to their commitments despite the changing seasons of emotions within the community.
Jonathan Haidt's insight in The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion reinforces the idea that people are more likely to be persuaded when they feel seen and heard. In the face of discouragement, a simple prayer or blessing, wishing goodwill to another person, becomes a transformative act, thawing the frozen barriers of negativity.
Looking ahead to the future of our communities, the focus often shifts to tasks, process and strategy first. However, before embarking on those endeavors, nurturing relationships becomes the cornerstone of community transformation. Vulnerability, as Brené Brown posits, is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, and change. Trusting relationships (formed with hesed) paves the way for openness, allowing for the exploration of unconventional ideas and fostering creativity and innovation within the community.
In the communal vision-building process, relationships stand as the lifeblood, shaping the dynamics of teams, organizations, stakeholders, boards, donors, members, and the community at large. The ability to be vulnerable, to trust, and to foster healthy relationships becomes paramount in unleashing the full potential of creativity and innovation within the community.
In essence, humanity in community leadership isn't just about tasks; it's about the delicate dance of relationships, the commitment to loyal, steadfast love, and the unwavering belief that humanity is the gateway to transformative change.