Leadership Lessons from Existential Philosophy: Embracing Vulnerability, Purpose and Empathy
As human beings, we are all destined to face challenges and loss throughout our lives. These difficult experiences often leave us feeling lost, confused, and questioning the meaning of our existence. However, it is precisely these moments of hardship that provide an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.
Friedrich Nietzsche, famously wrote:
“To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.”
Nietzsche believed that suffering is an essential part of the human experience and that it can be a source of growth and transformation. He argued that through the process of “becoming who we are,” we must confront our own pain and suffering and use it to develop our own unique sense of meaning and purpose.
“In some ways suffering ceases to be suffering at the moment it finds a meaning, such as the meaning of a sacrifice.”- Viktor Frankl
Viktor Frankl, who wrote about his experiences as a concentration camp survivor in his book “Man’s Search for Meaning” believed that even in the most extreme conditions of human suffering, there is still the potential for meaning and purpose. He argued that by finding meaning in our suffering, we can transcend our own limitations and develop a sense of spiritual resilience and purpose.
As someone who has faced my fair share of challenges and losses, I have often found myself turning to existential philosophy to help make sense of the world around me. Through the works of philosophers such as Simone Weil, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus, I am have come to understand that life is inherently difficult, but that it is still worth living provided we can find a meaning for our existence.
At the core of existential philosophy is the belief that we are all responsible for creating our own meaning in life. This means that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of what makes life worth living. Instead, each of us must find our own unique path and discover what brings us the most satisfaction.
For me, this meaning has kept changing/ evolving with time and today I try to find meaning in my relationships. However, I know that for others, the source of meaning may be entirely different.
“The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” — Tony Robbins
One of the most powerful lessons I have learned from existential philosophy is the idea that we must confront the reality of our own mortality. This means acknowledging that our time on this earth is limited and that we must make the most of every moment we have.
Simone Weil, in particular, offers a unique perspective on this idea. She believed that the key to finding meaning in life was to embrace what she called “the void.” By this, she meant that we must accept the reality of our own insignificance in the grand scheme of things. Only by acknowledging our own limitations, she argued, can we truly appreciate the beauty and wonder of the world around us.
“The void is not a mere absence of something, but is the womb of creation, the inexhaustible source of everything, the potential space into which manifest creation rushes and into which it then withdraws.”- Simone Weil
At times, existential philosophy can seem bleak or nihilistic. After all, if we are responsible for creating our own meaning in life, what happens when we can’t find any? Jean-Paul Sartre famously declared that “existence precedes essence,” meaning that we are not born with any predetermined purpose or meaning. But this does not mean that life is without purpose or meaning altogether.
Sartre believed that humans were fundamentally free, but that this freedom was also a burden. Sartre argued that we must take responsibility for our own lives and create our own meaning in a world that is ultimately meaningless. For Sartre, the key to finding meaning in life was to embrace our freedom and create our own values and beliefs.
“Man is condemned to be free. Condemned because he did not create himself, yet is nevertheless at liberty, and from the moment that he is thrown into this world he is responsible for everything he does.”- Sartre
Albert Camus believed that life was inherently absurd. Camus argued that we must confront the absurdity of life head-on and find our own meaning in the face of this absurdity. For Camus, the key to finding meaning in life was to embrace our own mortality and live life to the fullest in the time that we have.
“I had been right, I was still right, I was always right. I had lived my life one way and I could just as well have lived it another. I had done this and I hadn’t done that. I hadn’t done this thing but I had done another. And so?” Camus in “The Stranger”
Existential philosophy teaches us that the search for meaning is a lifelong journey, one that is constantly evolving and changing. It is up to each of us to continue seeking out new experiences, learning from our failures, and growing as individuals.
In conclusion, I believe that existential philosophy offers a powerful framework for understanding the challenges and losses we all face in life. By embracing the reality of our own mortality, acknowledging our own limitations, and finding meaning in our unique experiences, we can create a life that is truly worth living.
Existential philosophy also holds some important lessons for those aspiring to be leaders.
Embrace vulnerability and uncertainty: One of the core tenets of existential philosophy is that life is fundamentally uncertain and that we must confront this uncertainty head-on. As a leader, it is important to recognize that uncertainty and vulnerability are inherent parts of the human experience. By acknowledging and embracing our own vulnerability and uncertainty, we can create a more supportive and empathetic work environment for our employees.
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” — Brené Brown
Foster a sense of purpose: Another key lesson from existential philosophy is the importance of finding one’s own purpose and meaning in life. As a leader, it is important to help employees find their own sense of purpose and meaning in their work. This can be done by providing opportunities for growth and development, encouraging autonomy and self-direction, and promoting a sense of connection and community among team members.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Encourage self-reflection and introspection: Existential philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and introspection in order to gain a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s place in the world. As a leader, it is important to encourage employees to engage in self-reflection and introspection, whether through regular check-ins, feedback sessions, or other forms of reflection. This can help employees gain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses, and can lead to greater personal and professional growth.
“The more reflective you are, the more effective you are.” — Hall and Simeral
Foster a culture of empathy and understanding: Existential philosophy also emphasises the importance of empathy and understanding in the face of human suffering. As a leader, it is important to create a workplace culture that values empathy and understanding, and that recognizes the inherent struggles and challenges that employees may be facing. This can be done by fostering open communication, promoting a culture of inclusivity and diversity, and encouraging employees to support one another in times of need.
“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” — Alfred Adler
By incorporating the lessons of existential philosophy into leadership practices, we can create a more supportive, empathetic, and meaningful workplace environment for ourselves and our employees.
Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.
