Introduction: the emerging case for worldly leadership

[Extract] This book is the first of its kind to bring together non-western, indigenous and eastern perspectives on leadership. Leadership theory has for too long been the exclusive domain of western academics developing leadership theories from the perspective of western institutions. Often these theories remain detached from practical action. We know that much leadership wisdom lies outside this dominant Western academy, but that this wisdom is rarely profiled or published. We believe that this must change. Worldly leadership calls for a pooling of the combined leadership wisdoms from all parts of the globe - whether these are contemporary or ancient wisdoms. We fear that as the world becomes increasingly homogenous as a result of the 'flattening' impact of the internet and advancing global communication technology, the existing dominant voices may drive out the leadership wisdoms of minority, indigenous and ancient wisdoms. It does not have to be so. With these new technologies, an opportunity now presents itself for leaders across the world to share and combine the leadership knowledge and practice that exist in many corners of the world: wisdoms that would otherwise remain unknown outside their community. Ancient philosophies can enable us to reframe and rethink the enormous challenges of responsible, ethical and sustainable leadership of the world. The majority of leaders across the globe today have been conditioned in some way by western and US-centric leadership theories and methodologies. This thinking has been driven through our global business schools and business cultures, often to the exclusion of non-western traditions and cultures and the valuable insights and wisdom these may have to offer