Unleashing The Moral Imagination: The Essential New Skill For All Leaders In The 21st Century

In the face of what can only be described as a 'polycrisis,' where climate change, war, poverty, and disease converge to overwhelm us, the need for creative solutions has never been more pressing. In such times, it's not just innovation we need, but a specific kind of innovation: one that springs from what we can call the 'moral imagination.'

Humanity finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with feelings of overwhelm and anxiety. How do we navigate this daunting landscape? How do we cultivate a sense of purpose and abundance to shape a new narrative for humanity—one rooted in optimism and joy?

I believe the answer lies in unleashing our collective moral imagination. This transformative concept challenges us to envision the world not as it is, but as it should be—a place where creativity serves as a catalyst for progress and well-being. This approach empowers individuals to generate innovative solutions rooted in ethics and empathy, inspiring meaningful change on a systemic level. A collective awakening of our moral imagination can help us transcend our present challenges and aspire to a better world.

It’s important to define what is meant by ‘moral’: not a set of ethical codes based on a particular religious viewpoint, but rather based on ethical and compassionate principles for helping our fellow humans.

Many writers and thinkers through the years have underscored the importance of imaginative thinking in ethical decision-making and social progress. For instance, the writer Percy Bysshe Shelley said in 1821, ‘A man, to be greatly good, must imagine intensely and comprehensively; he must put himself in the place of many others... the great instrument of moral good is the imagination.’

Here are some some principles for unlocking our collective moral imagination, together with some illustrative examples:

1) Co-Create with Empathy: As a first step to building moral imagination, it’s essential to set the intention to co-design alongside and with the involvement of the affected communities. It’s a principle well established in the disability space as ‘Nothing About Us Without Us-’ that we should invite and co-create with respect and empathy for those who are deeply rooted in the space and have lived experience.

For instance, A New Normal is a great initiative in Melbourne and now Sydney that attempts to create a vision for a Net Zero future for these cities. By bringing together the private sector, the public sector, and the people of Melbourne together it proposes a vision of transformation for them to become more self-sufficient and more resilient cities.

2) Break the Binary: Reject the polarities that have taken root in society - we don’t have to be slaves to dichotomy. To do that, we need to be comfortable with our uncomfortableness and challenge our preconceived notions. Imagination can find a third way.

For instance, the Good Energy Playbook gives film and television writers an incredible resource on how to tackle the issue of climate change in storytelling in fresh and unique ways. Instead of ignoring the problem altogether, or only painting pictures of doom and gloom, it opens up possibilities on how to raise awareness on the issue which can translate into action. A great example of turning moral imagination into creative imagination.

3) Turn Conflict into Creativity: Approach challenges with compassion, curiosity, and commitment - and a little bit of fun! One of my favorite examples is how a nonprofit called We Counter Hate came up with a way to turn racist tweets into donations towards Life After Hate, a charity that helps members of white supremacist groups transition into mainstream life.

In conclusion, I believe that the moral imagination isn't just a lofty ideal; it's a practical tool for addressing contemporary challenges. Through immersion in diverse experiences, staying open to new narratives, and rejecting polarities, individuals and organizations can cultivate moral imagination. By engaging with stories that resonate and nurturing a sense of community, we lay the groundwork for ethical action and positive change. Through collaboration, empathy, and courageous leadership, we can harness this skill to shape a more just and sustainable future. 

When creativity meets conscience, the possibilities are limitless.

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