How Balinese Dogs Remind Us to Be Traveled Leaders
When I spent a week in Bali recently, I was awestruck by the monkeys, elephants, temples, villages, hospitable people, and … homeless dogs.
It felt discordant with the extremely kind and caring Hindu culture. But according to our guide (and fast friend) Putri, Balinese dogs are irrelevant.
While the dogs are not mangy or abused, they are ignored, destined to scavenge through village streets for their own food.
According to Hindu beliefs, if you are a good person in your life (referred to as dharma), you will reincarnate as a human. If you live an immoral, sinful, or wicked life (referred to as adharma), you will reincarnate as a dog.
Being a dog lover, I was stunned. I regaled Putri with stories of our dog obsession in America: dog food, doggie day cares, dog walkers, and dog parks. She was aghast!
I later emailed Putri a picture of my dog in my bed and she responded, “My husband is in shock. He can’t decide who is mistaken – your people or Balinese.” Putri schooled him, “Different culture, baby!”
That’s right! Different culture, diverse perspectives, divergent convictions. No mistakes.
But it’s not our differences that should give us pause, it’s our insularity.
When we travel to new countries (even new cities and states!), we become cognizant of how isolated we are in our hermetically-sealed worlds.
And it’s this isolation that threatens our success as leaders.
If we don’t deliberately “travel” to different departments, engage with distinct job levels, and expose ourselves to unique issues on various teams, we too will operate with a limited view of the world.
And trying to lead while insular always results in adharma!