'Intentional transformation' is the master key which has three interconnected actions at its core to complete the process and act as a breakthrough to restore our values-based capacities as individual, organisation and society
We all were taught that actions speak louder than words; however, have we ever examined the intentions behind our actions? Intentions are actually the inner-most layer of our 'consciousness dynamics' that guides our five senses and the cognition to activate and then choose or neglect a certain course of action.
We are living in a world with the highest possibility and the highest urgency. To put it simple, the advancement of technology, diplomatic and digital connectivity, globalisation of corporates as well as humanitarian actions and spiritual activism have all paved the pathways of possibilities on one hand; on the other hand, climate crisis, pork barrel politics, rampant corruption and burgeoning humanitarian catastrophes are demanding the most urgent responses. The binary of possibility and urgency are polarising every next day, the flip side of which could be harnessing the accelerated change the whole human family expects and needs at present.
The global operating environment is largely changing due to the shifts in geo-economic hegemonial orders, diffusion of power and extreme digital dependence, including Artificial Intelligence, giving rise to a possibility-urgency seesaw. So, the poised question here is, what can be the factor that can synchronously assemble these two together and optimise the opportunities of socio-economic growth, larger human welfare and technology-for-prosperity framework?
The first brick in the wall here would be 'intentional transformation'. Intentional transformation is a deep, self-reflective and wisdom-over-mind journey, which moves around the orbit of internalising, localising and globalising the human value system. It is also about penetrating the "status quo bias" that has largely made us think and visualise self-centric success and restrict ourselves to be part of a wider and larger welfare system.
The trajectory of any prosperous nation fundamentally started with the right intentions of the political leadership, governance instruments and levers, and its citizens. Be it Lee Kuan Yew who planted the initial development spores in Singapore or Paul Kagame's visionary growth roadmap for Rwanda, their actions were guided by genuine intentions to grow, flourish and serve. Japan's work-ethics, innovation, world-class education and global charity were all possible with the seeds of positive intentions of its leaders and undeniably by its people.
Now, let's be Nepal-centric. As per the World Economic Outlook 2024, Nepal ranks 41st in the list of the world's poorest countries out of 190. As soon as we process this information in our head, how do we think and feel as a citizen? The course and perspective of governance has largely changed over a period of time. It is no more a relationship between the ruler and the ruled but is more like a 'collaborative management' of various kinds of resources for better socio-economic lives.
By large, Nepal has made remarkable progress in its structural dimensions – it has a good constitution, better laws and policies, GESI-centric plans and programmes, three tiers of government and public service offices at people's proximity to name a few. These structures are like the skeleton of the body, which makes the latter visible, but what adds life to it is the soul. These structural frameworks, therefore, without complemented by the functional dimension are merely bodies without life.
We are standing on the crossroads of giving a better life to these wonderful structures engineered through the contributions and sacrifices of many. And here again the gamechanger is 'genuine intentions' to work for the same. 'Intentional transformation' is the master key which has three interconnected actions at its core to complete the process and act as a breakthrough to restore our values-based capacities as individual, organisation and society.
Cognitive: Intentions are more like the operating system in the computers upon which the whole oscillations of input, process and output are relied. We humans are born with some genetic or biological intentions, which in course of time are influenced by our socialisation and self-preferences of life goals. The transformation of these intentions is possible at a cognitive level by self-realisation, self-renewal and self-mastery. From a governance outlook, both leaders and citizens need to review their own intentions and their by-product of actions. The mantra of 'you can never lie to yourself' is a mirror to evaluate your own intentions.
Connective: Keeping yourself connected and linked to positive intentions around your family, society, workplace, spiritual gurus or global performers is one important approach to transform your own value system.
This particular dimension is highly relevant in Nepalese political governance. The leaders in the country are highly influenced by their advisors and the 'kitchen cabinet', which implies that there is almost a "cause and effect" relationship of their intentions over the political decisions. Therefore, the recognition as well as the litmus test of the intentions has to be performed by the political leaders before forming their advisory team.
Strategic: The transformation is not at all something- once and over activity- but an incessant and rigorous progression. Being strategic would facilitate oneself to make various kinds of roadmaps, guidelines and inspirations to follow through by purifying and humanising the intentions. In a way it also bridges the above two actions of intentional transformation.
After all the above, the takeaway elixir is that the leaders as well as the citizens at every level need to initiate the journey of intentional transformation that will gradually shift our thought process and emotional cognition from recognition to contribution. Most importantly, we can then transcend from the viewpoint of "blame game" to "I will do my part".
Thakur is an advocate and peace practitioner