Written by: gfesadmin on October 18, 2012

In the Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice under the heading “Leadership as Meaning-Making” we find the following quote:

“The preoccupation of classic social theorists with the meaning-making capacity of leaders can be traced to an even more fundamental concern with the uneasy relationship between the capitalist mode of exchange on the one hand, and the state of modern lived realities on the other.  Early nineteenth-century scholars, while embracing modernity also realized its implications for the human spirit and creativity.  They were troubled by the emerging tensions between traditional meaning-making institutions, such as religion, family and community, and modern institutions, such as the bureaucratic organization and the market economy.  … Durkheim (1947a) described the transition from mechanical to organic solidarity as a smooth, gradual process, but a discontinuous and potentially anomic process that disconnected individuals from the traditional institutions that infused value into their lives.”  (p. 69)

The word “meaning” comes from the c. 1300 word “mean” and is defined as – sense, import, intent; and “mean” is defined as intend, have in mind.  There is a huge variety of ideas about why meaning is important to humans; from we get a “kick” out of seeing patterns to it helps us define our own lives.  No matter why we desire meaning it seems to be a deep human need to look for meaning in life.  We can look at prehistoric art and find that humans were creating from their environment; defining their beliefs and ideas about life.

According to the quote above, Emile Durkheim, along with other scholars was concerned with the loss of meaning and value in the modern world.  Have we lost meaning?  Or are we in the process of redefining our world?  Perhaps as we transition from one generation to the next our description of what is meaningful changes. 

As society changes how does a leader help provide meaning for an individual who may feel “lost” in the matrix of modernity?  Upon what should leaders place value?  Should leaders be the ones to bring meaning or help guide an individual in finding his/her own meaning?

If something loses meaning how do we bring meaning to it again?  Or is that even necessary?  Should we move on to find meaning elsewhere?  Obviously, at this point this topic brings up more questions than answers for me and would involve an in depth study to coherently answer these questions.

From my perspective, meaning is that unique and special quality of life that gives purpose to what we do.  It informs our values and brings life to the mundane.  When we find meaning in life we find a reason for our existence.  Without meaning we can become unmotivated.  Meaning verges on the abstract light of “hope;” for if we have hope then there is meaning in what we do.

Nohria, Nitin and Rakesh Khurana. Handbook of Leadership Theory and Practice. Harvard Business School Publishing, 2010.

http://www.etymonline.com http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Education/Research/Reading/Asking-the-scientists/Why-do-we-look-for-the-meaning-of-life/

http://under30ceo.com/why-making-meaning-is-more-important-than-making-money/

#lgp3 #dminlgp #nohria #leadership #meaning

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