FACE TO FACE

A Systemic Approach to Creating a New South Africa:
An Interview with Wendy Luhabe
From Leverage Points Issue 15

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Wendy Luhabe has been recognized as one of South Africa's most powerful women and one of the world's leading female entrepreneurs. After 10 years in BMW's marketing division, she founded a human resources management consultancy, Bridging the Gap. In 1994, she launched Women Investment Portfolio Holdings. Wendy serves on numerous corporate and foundation boards and has been honored by several international groups, including the World Economic Forum. In January 2000, she was featured in a group of likely candidates to be South Africa's first female president.

Recently, Wendy spoke with Dawna Markova about how South Africa is using a systemic perspective to address its complex societal challenges. Dawna is cofounder of Professional Thinking Partners (www.ptpinc.org) and author of the recently published book I Will Not Die an Unlived Life. Below are excerpts of their conversation:

Creating Conditions That Support Large-Scale Change
Dawna Markova: My friend, there has been so much fragmentation and polarization in your country, yet you speak of living with a systemic view of the issues and challenges. Can you share a story of how your country is learning to do that?

Wendy Luhabe: South Africa's miraculous transition to democracy-when the only experience its people had of governance was bloodshed-was a testament to the fact that, as a nation, we are no longer prepared to support fragmentation and polarization as a way of life. People stood in queues for hours waiting to vote and put their mark toward creating a new society, a collaborative future, and a commitment to a shared destiny. We know what hasn't worked. Creating a new nation has allowed us to confront issues, find solutions, experiment, and remain open to learning.

DM: You are part of an immense social and economic change effort. Can you describe some of the conditions that support large-scale change?

WL: The way most societies work, most of us go through life as passengers, taking as much and giving as little as we can. South Africa's constitution has leveled the playing field for justice and equality. It enshrines the highest level of standards for personal freedom, for protection from abuse of power and authority, and for governance and accountability in the private and public sectors. Its principles have helped commit all South Africans to a common future. If we all play our part, we should be more successful at creating the kind of future that we want. Some of the conditions to do this are creating consensus and enough levels of participation.

DM: The Western view of the world, of community, and of organization is vastly different from the African view. How do we begin to learn from each other?

WL: Not only is the Western view different, but it assumes it is the standard and is often judgmental of other views. This judgment, unfortunately, has over time eroded the strength of the African view. More and more Africans are embracing the Western view, not because it is better, but because we lack the courage to make the African view our standard. To begin to learn from each other requires courage to explore the unknown. On the one hand, we have to accept that we are created equal and to expect that others always have something to contribute. On the other hand, we have to trust in our own abilities; play our part with confidence; learn to be fearless, be visible, and be courageous; and take responsibility. Blaming others makes us weak, takes away our power, and hides our magnificence. There is no manual for living life; all of us hold a piece of the puzzle, not just a privileged few.

Seeing the World Systemically
DM: From your perspective, what can organizations do to help people see the bigger systems they are part of? Communities? The people reading these words?

WL: We need to organize life systems in a more integrated way than we have in the past. Our education system probably holds the largest responsibility and can make the greatest contribution. As long as we relate to the school system as separate from the family system, the religious system, the political system, and the economic system, we will not be able to appreciate how decisions in one system impact the effectiveness of the others. Life based on the tyranny of "either/or" instead of "and" is no longer serving a useful purpose. It has led to wars, conflict, and violence.

DM: Why did you name your consulting company "Bridging the Gap?"

WL: I see myself as a bridge and the work that I have been doing has been about making transitions and integrating polarities in the workplace. The name "Bridging the Gap" was meant to experiment with different solutions, to explore uncommon wisdom, and to straddle the gaps that keep us divided. It was particularly relevant in South Africa, as we approached a period of transition between the oppressive past and a future that is unknown but that holds promise and hope.

The growing chaos, fragmentation, injustice, and violence are an invitation for new leadership to step forward. I wonder more and more whether the vacuum created will generate sufficient energy for women to step forward and lead the world in a new way—a way that creates meaning for one's existence, that invites our individual and collective potential to serve the world, that invites us to live truthfully and passionately, that makes our deep connection more visible and less threatening.

DM: When the complexity seems overwhelming, how do you inspire yourself and those you work with?

WL: I trust the invisible process. I do what is important, not what is urgent. I choose what I can live with, not what is expected. I let go.

DM: What is the one question I haven't asked that you most wish I would?

WL: Whether I have lived my life fully. Whether I have been, to the best of my ability, who I really am. Whether I have found my life purpose. Whether I have any regrets. Whether, if I had to live my life again, there is anything I would change. Whether I have loved. Whether I have touched my magnificence.

DM: Lastly, Wendy, if you could teach us one word or phrase from your native language, what would that be?

WL: "Ubuntu." This is a word that appears in all the languages spoken in South Africa and embraces deep respect for one's humanity and that of others. We regard other human beings as sacred.

Wendy Luhabe is a keynote speaker at this year's Systems Thinking in Action® Conference. Dawna Markova is speaking about her new book at the conference's Authors' Night.