Creating Galatea
Introduction
The previous article, 'Harnessing Hydras - Wisdom from Myth,' delved into the significance of wisdom in cultivating leadership maturity and its critical role in modern leadership success. We examined how myths such as those of Odysseus, Anansi the Spider, and Hercules demonstrated the use of mature cognitive wisdom to overcome challenges. Cognitive wisdom, underpinned by ethics and characterised by the application of lived experience, judgment, and reasoning, emerged as a crucial pillar in making robust strategic decisions. These qualities enable leaders to understand and respond to intricate organisational dynamics, foresee emerging market opportunities, anticipate risks, and create long-term value.
However, as discussed, wisdom is a multifaceted attribute that extends beyond cognitive prowess. Sternberg and Gluck argue that wisdom comprises three interrelated components common across all cultures: cognitive, affective, and reflective. This combination of attributes is a prerequisite for success in modern leadership positions — supporting actions that serve wider society, resolving thorny issues, elegantly balancing the needs of all stakeholders, and navigating emotionally charged environments with finesse.
This article focuses on affective wisdom, vital for leadership success as it encompasses wisdom's emotional, aesthetic, and relational dimensions. Indeed, affective wisdom is intrinsically tied to the characteristics we most value in leaders we admire. This aspect of wisdom enables leaders to connect deeply with team members, foster a trusting, supportive, and ethical organisational culture, and inspire and motivate others through compassion, empathy, and a positive mindset. While affective wisdom overlaps with the concept of emotional intelligence, the latter focuses more on practical social skills, whereas affective wisdom emphasises higher-order moral implications.
This article will explore the lessons from various stories that illustrate affective wisdom. These include the myth of Prometheus and his gift of fire to humanity, Hiawatha and the unification of the Iroquois nations, and the tragic tale of La Llorona, whose ghostly cries can be heard near rivers and lakes at night. Through these narratives, we will uncover the importance of affective wisdom for successful contemporary leadership.
Affective Wisdom Defined
Sternberg and Glück posit that affective wisdom comprises three core dimensions that collectively define emotional and relational depth — benevolence, compassion, and a positive mindset.
Benevolence involves a deep care for others' welfare and a focus on the greater good, encompassing attributes like respect, warmth, and kindness. Compassion is the empathetic understanding of others' suffering and the proactive effort to alleviate it, focusing on others' needs rather than on oneself. Lastly, a positive mindset is characterised by self-acceptance, gratitude, inner peace, optimism, and calmness.
Affective wisdom is fundamentally about love and care, an area where the English word "love" often falls short. We typically associate love with Eros (sexual passion) or Philia (brotherly love). The inadequacy is evident in phrases like "platonic love," indicating care without sexual desire. This limitation has ramifications in a commercial context, where emphasising the importance of love in successful leadership is often misconstrued and typically sounds out of place. Embracing the Greek concept of agape helps bridge this gap. C.S. Lewis defines agape as "a selfless love that is passionately committed to the well-being of others."
Agape, considered the highest form of love, is characterised by selfless concern for others without expecting anything in return. It embodies benevolence, compassion, and goodwill, extending beyond personal concerns to a universal, ethical love for humanity and stewardship of the natural world. This type of love is foundational in many spiritual and philosophical traditions, symbolising selfless care and moral integrity in human relationships.
From a leadership perspective, it is agape that we admire in Alchemist leaders. Consider Mary Barra at General Motors, who emphasises transparency and ethical practice, or Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, known for his unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. Agape guides leaders towards servant leadership, where the needs of the team, customers, colleagues, and society are prioritised over personal interests or purely profit-driven goals.
In the following sections, we delve into the concept of affective wisdom through the lens of myth and legend, drawing out valuable leadership lessons as we go. These narratives illustrate the profound impact of affective wisdom in cultivating successful contemporary leaders.
Prometheus' Fire: The Cost of Light
Religious texts abound with stories of deep compassion and sacrifice, emphasising the virtue of prioritising others' needs — prominent figures include Buddha, Jesus, and Quetzalcoatl. For example, Guanyin, a central figure in "Journey to the West," exemplifies affective wisdom.
Guanyin: As a divine guide, she initiates the quest for sacred scriptures and supports the monk Xuanzang, ensuring the spread of Buddhist teachings. Known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Guanyin sacrificed her place in Nirvana to help all sentient beings reach enlightenment. Her compassion is evident in tales such as saving the son of the dragon king who had become entangled in fishing nets and sacrificing her eyes and arms to heal her father, symbolising selfless love and filial piety.
These stories highlight Guanyin's profound empathy and selfless service, embodying affective wisdom. While religious narratives showcase the pinnacle of affective wisdom through ultimate sacrifice, the virtues of these role models can seem unattainable. To bridge this gap, let's consider a more relatable story — that of Hiawatha.
Hiawatha: Hiawatha, a pivotal figure in forming the Iroquois Confederacy, lived during the 16th century and was a member of the Onondaga or Mohawk tribe. His story blends history and legend.
Early in his life, Hiawatha was a formidable warrior who cannibalised his enemies to gain strength[1]. His life was marked by violence, culminating in the murder of his family by a rival chief, leaving him grief-stricken and vengeful — this period reflects the chaos and animosity among the Iroquois tribes.
Hiawatha's transformation began when he met the Great Peacemaker, Deganawida, a prophet from the Huron tribe on a mission to unite the Iroquois tribes — Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca — into a confederacy to end internecine warfare. Deganawida, as an outsider, needed a local ally and saw potential in Hiawatha. Initially resistant, Hiawatha was consoled by Deganawida and moved by his compassionate approach and spiritual guidance. The Peacemaker introduced Hiawatha to the Great Law of Peace, eventually transforming Hiawatha's grief into a commitment to amity.
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker travelled extensively to promote unity among the Iroquois tribes. One significant achievement was convincing the powerful Onondaga chief, Tadodaho, who eventually embraced the principles of peace despite being a tyrant and sorcerer.
Their efforts culminated in the formation of the Iroquois Confederacy, which established a sophisticated system of governance based on democratic principles and collective decision-making, ensuring peace and cooperation among the member tribes.
Hiawatha's legacy is a symbol of transformation, peace, and unity. The Iroquois Confederacy, one of the longest-lasting participatory democracies in the world, stands as a testament to Hiawatha's enduring vision and the power of affective wisdom in leadership.
The overarching lesson is that effective contemporary leadership involves a deep commitment to the greater good, often requiring personal sacrifice. By embodying empathy, selflessness, and emotional resilience, leaders can transform personal challenges into powerful driving forces for positive change, fostering a lasting impact on their teams and society.
Guanyin and Hiawatha exemplify this through their actions: Guanyin sacrifices Nirvana and her arms to aid others, and Hiawatha transforms his grief to promote unity among the Iroquois tribes. Their stories highlight compassion, dedication to the greater good, and the transformative power of selfless service.
Prometheus: Prometheus' story adds an essential layer to the concept of affective wisdom through the themes of compassion and sacrifice for the greater good. Prometheus, whose name means "forethought," was tasked with creating humanity from clay and water. He shaped humans in the likeness of the gods. His brother, Epimetheus, meaning "afterthought," had already given the best attributes — strength, speed, and wings — to animals, leaving humans weak and defenceless.
Seeing humanity's vulnerable state, Prometheus felt deep compassion for them. He aided them by stealing fire from Mount Olympus, hiding it in a hollow fennel stalk, and giving it to humans. In Greek mythology, fire symbolises knowledge, technology, and civilisation. By gifting fire, Prometheus empowered humanity with the means to survive and progress.
Zeus, the king of the gods, was furious with Prometheus for catalysing mankind’s development. He ordered Prometheus to be chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus as punishment. Each day, an eagle would eat Prometheus' liver, which would regenerate every night, causing him endless torment.
Prometheus' suffering continued until Hercules freed him as part of his Twelve Labours[2]. Reunited with Zeus after warning him of the dangers of marrying the nymph Thetis[3], Prometheus resumed his role as humanity's teacher and benefactor in later myths.
Hiawatha and Prometheus challenge tyranny, display immense courage and set aside personal concern for the greater good. Their stories highlight the need for balanced judgments and bold actions to challenge the status quo. This is crucial for supporting innovation, progress, and change.
Prometheus' story exemplifies the potential damaging costs of seeking to serve the greater good. His tale underscores that selfless actions can come with significant personal sacrifices. The main takeaway is that leaders can't fully predict the personal cost of doing the right thing — it takes a leap of faith and a lack of concern for the consequences. Framed this way, it's clear that an orientation to serve the greater good, driven by agape, is a moral obligation to orient oneself to the good, with self-interest playing no part.
In summary, the stories of Guanyin, Hiawatha, and Prometheus collectively offer profound lessons in affective wisdom for contemporary leaders. They illustrate a deep moral obligation to serve a greater cause, often requiring personal sacrifice and with no concern for self-interest. The transformative power of affective wisdom, embodied through empathy, compassion, and resilience, is essential for effective leadership. By embracing these qualities, leaders can inspire positive change and leave a lasting impact on their teams and society.
The Perils of Passion
Let us turn to explore emotional maturity within affective wisdom. One story that starkly contrasts the previous narratives by highlighting the consequences of emotional immaturity is that of La Llorona, typically translated as 'The Weeping Woman'.
La Llorona: The legend of La Llorona is deeply ingrained in Latin American folklore, especially in Mexico. Maria was born into a poor family. Despite her humble beginnings, her beauty captivated everyone who saw her. As she grew older, Maria's beauty intensified, and she became widely known as the most beautiful woman in the region.
One day, a wealthy, handsome man rode into Maria's village. Enamoured by her beauty, he began to court her. Maria fell in love with him, and they soon married. The couple had two children and were very happy for a while.
As time passed, Maria's husband began spending more time away from home. Maria grew increasingly lonely and resentful. One day, while walking with her children by the river, Maria saw her husband in a carriage with another woman. Overcome with rage and jealousy, she lost control. In a moment of blind fury, she pushed her children into the river, where they were swept away by the current and drowned.
The horror of what she had done struck Maria immediately. She ran along the riverbank, crying and screaming for her children, but it was too late. They were gone. Maria's grief and guilt were unbearable, and she wandered the riverbanks for days, calling out for her children and weeping uncontrollably. Eventually, she succumbed to her guilt and drowned herself.
Maria's torment did not end with her death. Because of her heinous act, she was condemned to wander the earth for eternity, searching for her lost children. Her spirit, now known as La Llorona, is said to haunt rivers and lakes, crying out for her offspring. Those who hear her wailing are warned to stay away, as she might mistake them for her children and drag them into the water.
The story of La Llorona serves as a poignant illustration of the consequences of emotional immaturity. Maria's uncontrolled emotions, driven by jealousy and rage, lead to the tragic drowning of her children and her demise. Her eternal torment as La Llorona highlights the devastating impact unchecked emotions can have on oneself and others, highlighting emotional regulation and maturity as crucial components of affective wisdom.
Many of us have worked with colleagues or had bosses who lack emotional control. Still, to highlight the point, Carly Fiorina's tenure as CEO of Hewlett-Packard echoes the lessons of La Llorona. Despite her effectiveness in transforming HP, Fiorina's abrasive personality strained organisational relationships. Her lack of emotional control ultimately undermined her leadership, leading to her controversial departure. Fiorina highlights the destructive power of unchecked emotions on leadership effectiveness, stressing the necessity of emotional maturity in contemporary leadership.
Demeter and Persephone: In contrast to La Llorona's tale of unchecked emotion, the story of Demeter and Persephone offers a different perspective on emotional wisdom.
Persephone, the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of the Harvest, and Zeus, was known for her beauty and elegance. One day, while gathering flowers in a meadow, she was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld, who had fallen in love with her and planned to make her his queen.
Unaware of her daughter's fate, Demeter, consumed by despondency, searched the earth tirelessly, day and night[4]. In her sorrow, she neglected her duties, causing the crops to fail and humanity to starve. Eventually, Demeter consulted Helios, the sun god, who revealed that Hades had abducted Persephone with Zeus' consent.
Despite pleas from the other gods, Demeter remained enraged and adamant that the earth would not be fertile again until her daughter was returned. Concerned about the famine's impact on humanity and the subsequent lack of offerings, the other gods petitioned Zeus to act.
A reluctant Zeus sent Hermes, the messenger god, to the underworld to return Persephone. Hades agreed to release her if she had eaten nothing in the underworld. However, he tricked Persephone into eating pomegranate seeds, binding her to the underworld for at least a portion of the year.
A compromise was reached — Persephone would spend part of the year with Hades in the underworld and the remaining part with Demeter on earth. More recently, this myth has become inextricably linked with the changing seasons, with Persephone's return to earth marking the onset of spring and her trip back to the underworld resulting in winter, as Demeter once again mourns her loss.
The story of Demeter and Persephone offers valuable lessons in affective wisdom. Demeter's unchecked grief, like La Llorona's, underscores the critical need for emotional regulation in leadership. The story, however, additionally highlights the mature affective wisdom required to reach compromises and balanced decisions even when emotions are running high, as seen in the agreement to share Persephone's year between Demeter and Hades, if workable solutions are to be reached when parties have differing vested interests.
However, Demeter's annual mourning during Persephone's time in the underworld illustrates the potential emotional cost of compromise — Demeter couldn't fully accept her decision, leading to barren winter months. This reflects the mental strain many of us experience when begrudgingly making compromises and our lack of fully mature affective wisdom.
This point is exemplified by comparing and contrasting two well-known leaders, Robert E. Lee and Nelson Mandela. General Robert E. Lee viewed slavery as morally wrong and opposed secession, yet his loyalty to Virginia led him to support the Confederacy in the American Civil War[5]. This decision created emotional turmoil as he fought for a cause contradicting his convictions. Lee's letters reveal his anguish over his compromise and the war's devastation.
In contrast, Nelson Mandela made significant compromises during the negotiations to end apartheid in South Africa. Despite immense personal costs and years of imprisonment, Mandela embraced reconciliation over retribution, understanding it was crucial for the nation's future. His intellectual and emotional acceptance of these compromises was rooted in his commitment to peace and unity, allowing him to lead South Africa through transformation.
Lee's story underscores that, while our beliefs can be contradictory, it's essential to align personal beliefs with actions as closely as possible, as failing to do so draws a hefty emotional toll. Emotional maturity is a mediating factor, but leaders must consider the long-term emotional impact of their decisions and strive for coherence between their values and actions — aiming for the comprehensive intellectual and emotional acceptance seen in Mandela.
In summary, the myths of La Llorona, Demeter, and Persephone offer insights into the importance of emotional maturity for personal and leadership success. La Llorona illustrates the destructive impact of unchecked emotions, emphasising the need for emotional regulation. Demeter's tale shows the importance of compromise and balanced decision-making despite the risk of ongoing emotional costs. The real-world example of Mandela highlights the inner harmony possible at the pinnacle of mature emotional regulation.
Unlocking Extraordinary Potential with Love
Having explored the critical role of affective wisdom in leadership through the tales of La Llorona and Demeter, which highlight the perils of unchecked emotions and the complex nature of compromise, we now turn to the uplifting aspects of emotional maturity. By examining the stories of Amaterasu and the Cave, and Pygmalion, we will delve into the positive influence of joy and hope in leadership and the transformative power of agape.
Amaterasu and the Cave: In ancient Japan, Amaterasu, the sun goddess, ruled the heavens. Her jealous brother, Susanoo, the storm god, unleashed chaos in a fit of rage. He destroyed Amaterasu's rice fields, hurled the flayed carcass of a horse into her weaving room, uprooted trees, and flooded lands. Deeply hurt and frightened, Amaterasu withdrew into a cave, sealing it with a large rock. Her disappearance plunged the world into darkness, causing crops to wither and chaos to reign.
Despite the other deities' (the kami) efforts, they could not convince Amaterasu to reappear. Ame-no-Uzume, the Shinto goddess of dawn, dance, and humour, concocted a plan. She began to dance comically, gradually removing pieces of her clothing until she was partially nude. Her antics were so hilarious that the kami burst into laughter.
Hearing the laughter, Amaterasu grew curious about why there was joy in the dark world and pushed the rock away from the cave's entrance to see what was happening. She saw Ame-no-Uzume dancing and, amused, stepped out for a better view. Exiting the cave, she was confronted with her reflection in a mirror erected by the other kami. Whilst Amaterasu was distracted by the sight of her beauty, the kami Futo-tama used a magical rope to draw a boundary between her and the cave, preventing her from reentering. Thus, Ame-no-Uzume's joyous performance brought Amaterasu back, restoring light and order to the world.
Joy and hope have the power to transform. These components of affective wisdom are critical in building a collaborative and innovative workforce. Resilience alone is not enough. Uzume's story underscores a crucial lesson for successful contemporary leadership: even in the darkest times, a positive attitude encompassing joy and hope can inspire significant change.
In the real world, figures like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Winston Churchill exemplify the power of joy, hope, and resilience. In the business realm, one standout example is Sheryl Sandberg, the former COO of Meta and founder of LeanIn.Org. Following the sudden death of her husband, Sandberg openly shared her grief journey, demonstrating vulnerability and strength. Her book "Lean In" and the movement inspired countless women to pursue their ambitions, fostering a culture of optimism and encouragement. Despite personal and professional challenges, Sandberg's unwavering positive outlook and commitment to transparency and empathy have inspired many. Her example highlights that positive leadership is infectious and vital to building a culture of trust, collaboration, and innovation.
Pygmalion: Pygmalion was a talented sculptor from Cyprus who harboured a deep disdain for women. His misogyny stemmed from his view that the Propoetides, women of Cyprus, were lascivious. He, consequently, resolved never to marry, turning his back on romantic relationships entirely.
He channelled his passion into his art, creating a statue of a woman from ivory. This statue was exceptionally beautiful, surpassing that of any living woman. Pygmalion became enamoured with the figure, falling deeply in love. He named her Galatea and adorned her with fine clothing and jewellery, treating her like a living woman and wishing she could come to life.
During the festival of Aphrodite, Pygmalion made a heartfelt plea to the goddess, asking for a wife as perfect as his ivory maiden. Aphrodite, moved by his devotion to Galatea, granted his wish. When Pygmalion returned home and kissed the statue, he was amazed to feel the warmth and softness in her lips. The ivory had transformed into flesh, and Galatea came to life. Overjoyed, Pygmalion married Galatea, and they lived happily together.
The story of Pygmalion symbolises the transformative power of agape. Pygmalion's pure, selfless love for Galatea, devoid of any expectation of return, moved Aphrodite to breathe life into his creation. Exemplary leaders embody agape as their guiding principle, inspiring and achieving seemingly impossible transformations. While political and religious figures like The Reverend Tutu, Martin Luther King Jr., and Mother Teresa are often associated with this quality — Mandela's compassion, for example, is evident in his gaze — other figures stand out. Jane Goodall, renowned for her environmental leadership, is driven by a profound love for animals and nature. Despite personal risk, Malala Yousafzai, an education activist, selflessly champions girls' education worldwide.
Leaders like John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, promote conscious capitalism, advocating that businesses serve all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the environment, not just shareholders. These leaders exemplify the belief that they can unleash the potential of the greater good through agape, fostering environments where significant transformations and extraordinary growth are possible.
Summary
This article emphasises the critical importance of mature affective wisdom in driving leadership success, focusing on a selfless commitment to serving the greater good by constantly aligning actions with the principle of agape. The stories of Guanyin, Hiawatha, Prometheus, La Llorona, Demeter and Persephone, Amaterasu and the Cave, and Pygmalion illustrate the transformative power of love, compassion, and emotional maturity. These narratives highlight the importance of emotional regulation, compromise's complex nature, and positive attitudes' profound impact. Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg and John Mackey exemplify these qualities in the modern business environment, demonstrating how selfless leadership fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation. This lesson is difficult for many to accept, as these role models often feel out of reach, and success requires ruthlessly prioritising the needs of others over personal interests and short-term gains. Despite the challenges, embracing agape in leadership is the most critical key to unlocking extraordinary personal success and driving transformation for the benefit of all.
Embrace selfless commitment to the greater good and let the principle of agape drive your every action!
References
The Four Loves, 2002, C. S. Lewis,
Emotional Intelligence, 1995, Daniel Goleman
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead, 2015, Sheryl Sandberg
Wisdom: The Psychology of Wise Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, 2021 Sternberg and Glück
La Llorona: Encounters with the Weeping Woman, 2019, Judith Shaw Beatty
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, 2015, Robertson (Author), and Shannon (Illustrator)
Mythos: The Greek Myths Retold, 2017, Fry
[1] Hiawatha is not described as a cannibal in all retellings of the myth.
[2] Hercules is a distant generational relative of Io, who was turned into a cow by Hera and met Prometheus during her wanderings. We were introduced to Io in the article ‘Surviving the Deluge.’
[3] Zeus was warned that Thetis’ son would become greater than his father. Thetis married Peleus and was the mother of Achilles.
[4] Nymphs guarded Persephone. She wandered away from her protectors whilst picking flowers. Angry with the Nymphs for their lack of vigilance and care, Demeter turned them into sirens. Odysseus encounters these sirens in the Odyssey.
[5] General Robert E. Lee's views on slavery were complex and contradictory. While he owned slaves and considered black people inferior, he described slavery as a moral and political evil. Lee believed emancipation should occur gradually and naturally rather than through immediate measures. He did not support radical abolitionists and thought slavery's end should be part of God's will.