This chapter explores expansionism, which influenced the Renaissance, the Age of Exploration, and the colonization of the Americas. We'll analyze expansionist motives, historical context, and its impact on our society. We also discuss the proistemic archetype, explaining the cognitive mechanisms behind expansionism, to deepen your understanding of its influence on the modern world.
The chapter emphasises the importance of ethical conduct, personal growth, strong relationships, and purpose for leaders aiming to enhance their proistemic skills. Leaders should avoid inappropriate language, abusive behaviour, tribalism, and groupthink. With integrity and compassion, they can inspire significant change, encouraging others to do the same. We hope future generations will embrace and propagate these insights from the founders of life modalities, continuing the knowledge cycle.
Perhaps the most iconic songs of the “me, myself and I era” was the smash hit “My Way” popularised by Frank Sinatra, especially the last stanza that introduces the idea of the Proistemic Genius, the one who gets the job done by presiding over an effective and efficient team to reach their goals. "For what is a man, what has he got? If not himself, then he has naught! To say the things he truly feels, and not the words of one who kneels, the record shows, I took the blows, and did it my way!" (Note: In some karaoke bars in Asia, this song is banned due to incidents of staring and bar-room brawls.)
To be a Proistemic leader, it is crucial to recognise the power and responsibility that come with your genius. You have the ability to marshal people and resources towards achieving a common goal, but with great power comes great responsibility. It's important to use your strengths in a way that aligns with ethical principles and promotes positive change in society.
One of the blind spots of the Proistemic genius is the temptation to use inappropriate language or behave in an abusive manner. It's important to lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability, and to set an example for those you lead. Walking in your blind spots can undermine your effectiveness and authority as a leader.
Another important aspect of being a Proistemic leader is to avoid the trap of narrow-mindedness. Rigidity of thinking results in a reluctance to consider alternatives. As a leader, it's your responsibility to encourage open communication and foster an environment where diverse opinions are valued and respected. By cultivating humility and openness to new ideas, you can avoid the pitfalls of tribalism and become a more effective and compassionate leader.
To further develop your skills as a Proistemic leader, it's important to focus on personal growth and development. This can involve seeking out new experiences, learning from your mistakes, and seeking feedback from others. By constantly pushing yourself to learn and grow, you can become a more effective and inspiring leader.
In addition to personal growth, it's important to cultivate strong relationships with your team and colleagues. Building trust, promoting open communication, and fostering a sense of shared purpose and vision can help create a culture of collaboration and innovation. By working together towards a common goal, you can create a powerful sense of momentum and achieve great things.
It's important to remember that the Proistemic genius is not just about achieving individual success or recognition. Rather, it's about using your gifts to serve others and make a positive impact on the world. By leading with humility, compassion, and a sense of purpose, you can inspire others to do the same and create a better future for all.
In summary, to be an effective Proistemic leader, it's important to lead with integrity, transparency, and accountability, and to avoid the pitfalls of narrow-minded thinking and abusive behaviour. The team leader must be able to create a clear vision that inspires the team members to give their best and work towards achieving the set objectives. This includes understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each team member, delegating tasks accordingly, and providing guidance and support to ensure that everyone is working towards the same goal.
Effective communication is also crucial in ensuring that everyone is on the same page and that issues are addressed promptly. Ultimately, the success of the team leader depends on their ability to create a team that is dedicated to moving objectives forward to the advantage and delight of the home team, while also fostering a positive work environment where team members feel valued and supported.
As a born leader with Proistemic genius, you possess strengths in victory, growth, determination, courage, power, initiative, decisiveness, and strategic thinking. You have the potential to make a significant impact as a leader, but it is important to continue developing your skills to become the best leader you can be. In an unredeemed setting, “the blind lead the blind and both fall into the pit.” However, redeemed Proistemic leaders can use their gifts to bring positive change and make an impact on the world.
In the biblical story of Jacob and Esau, we see an example of the Proistemic genius in action. Jacob, the younger of the two brothers, uses his intelligence and strategic thinking to outmanoeuvre Esau and gain the birthright and blessing of their father.
Jacob takes the initiative to set up a plan to deceive his father into giving him the blessing intended for Esau. He also shows strategic thinking by carefully planning his actions and anticipating the reactions of others.
However, Jacob's story is not without its flaws. He initially uses his gifts to deceive and manipulate others for his own personal gain. It is only later in life, after experiencing the consequences of his actions, that he is redeemed and becomes a more compassionate and humble leader.