Ubuntu!

Ubuntu is an African word for 'humanity'. Often it is not the good moments that stretch our understanding of what this means, but the times of suffering.

The concept is echoed in the saying 'Umuntu Ngumuntu Ngabantu.' Translated from Zulu, it means: 'I am because you are, and you are because we are.' In other words, I can only exist through you. And, as long as there are people who suffer, I suffer too. It is only when each person is free, are we free.

This is especially relevant to building powerful, high performance organizations and communities. One of my successful clients, who I greatly admire, as do many people, does not understand the depth of this saying. She believes that frustrated employees, who are not fulfilling their potential, are not a problem.

The importance of each person's contribution and value to the team is often lost on those at the top. Yet this crucial missing link causes long term problems. It takes effective team building to deal with them. For more on team building, click here!

Click the 1 minute interview with Nelson Mandela below.

Transcript of the interview between Tim Modise and Nelson Mandela:

Tim Modise: “Many people regard you as a personification of ubuntu, what do you understand (it) to be?”

Nelson Mandela: “In the old days when we were young, a traveler through our country would stop at a village. He didn't have to ask for food or water, once he stops the people give him food at the table. That is one aspect of it, but it will have various aspects.

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Mandela: “It does not mean that people should not address themselves. The question therefore is, are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve. These are the important things of life, and if one can do that you have done something very important that will be appreciated.

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