Time, Leadership, and Growth: Lessons on Cultural Constructs and Learning From Mistakes

The concept of time and its cultural interpretations has always fascinated me. Throughout my life, I have observed how various cultures approach time differently. In some, punctuality is sacred, while in others, time is viewed more fluidly. This dichotomy is often attributed to the industrialization of the global West, which emphasizes strict adherence to schedules, contrasting with many traditional cultures that embrace flexible understandings of time. This observation leads me to question whether such strict adherence to time is a colonial imposition. Could the measurement and commodification of time—phrases like "don’t waste time"—be imperial constructs? Many cultures around the world perceive time as flowing differently, which naturally impacts how work and productivity are approached. Perhaps measuring work by time, rather than by outcomes or productivity, is itself a colonial tool.

This line of exploration emerged during tonight’s EdD class, where an American panelist shared their culture shock experience in Nigeria. The discussion also touched on leadership as a solitary journey that necessitates uplifting others along the way—an idea encapsulated in the phrase "lift as you climb." This concept underscores the importance of building capacity and ensuring representation, as they are vital for organizational sustainability and legacy. A leader’s role in setting an organization’s agenda often involves cultivating social capital and fostering meaningful exchanges. Mistakes, while costly, are invaluable for growth, especially in terms of social capital. Learning from these mistakes is arguably the fastest and most effective way to develop.

However, this raises a critical question: does the fear of making mistakes lead to stagnation and disconnection in leadership? Reluctance to fail might hinder growth as a leader. The panel suggested that lifelong learning, continued professional development, and research can help address this issue. Also, when mistakes are made, it is crucial for leaders to ensure they are not repeated, thereby demonstrating that lessons have been truly internalized.

This discussion left me pondering the intersection of time, leadership, and growth. Could our perceptions and management of time influence not only productivity but also the capacity for innovation and resilience in leadership? And if so, how might alternative cultural frameworks for understanding time offer new insights into leading and learning effectively in diverse and decolonial spaces?