Ubuntu and Leaderful Cultures: I Am Because You Are
Aug 18, 2025
Ubuntu, the African philosophy meaning “I am because you are,” is not only a beautiful sentiment, but also a leadership imperative. It reminds us that our success, growth, and well-being are deeply interconnected with the people around us. In The ABCs of Murmuration, Dr. Kathy Hagler and Robin Graham bring this truth to life through the lens of murmuration, the breathtaking aerial dance of starlings.
In a murmuration, each bird constantly adjusts to its nearest neighbors, creating a coordinated whole without central control. This is how high-functioning teams and communities work too, through shared awareness, mutual trust, and a commitment to the good of the whole.
The authors describe this as becoming “leaderful.” In a leaderful culture, leadership isn’t limited to titles or positions. Instead, everyone has the mindset, confidence, and support to lead when needed. People step up, step back, and step together in a rhythm that strengthens the entire group.
Here’s what these steps look like in action:
- Step Up: You notice a challenge or opportunity and take initiative, offering your skills and vision to move the group forward.
- Step Back: You create space for others to contribute, recognizing when your role is to support rather than lead.
- Step Together: You align with your team around shared goals, moving forward as one.
Practicing Ubuntu in leadership means making decisions with the awareness that they will ripple beyond your immediate role. It means valuing every person’s contribution and fostering an environment where everyone’s voice is heard.
To build a leaderful culture:
- Start with awareness: observe how people interact and identify opportunities for connection.
- Challenge limiting beliefs that keep leadership in the hands of a few.
- Create systems for collaboration that reward shared success over individual achievement.
When organizations embrace Ubuntu, they tap into the same collective intelligence that fuels murmuration. They become more adaptive, more resilient, and more innovative, not because one person has all the answers, but because everyone is engaged in leading.
Ask yourself: How can you act with greater awareness, challenge limiting beliefs, and connect more deeply with others in your work? The answer could be the start of a truly leaderful culture.
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