DL2022 Cheri Flewell-Smith - SEVA Leadership: A Decolonised Perspective

Traditional leadership styles are centred on Eurocentric concepts of authority figures influencing and guiding through the organisation to achieve their ends. SEVA leadership challenges this concept to create a new paradigm that integrates concepts of communal wellbeing, equality, and inclusiveness through service. Based on the Sikh concept of ‘Seva’ or ‘Sewa’,, there are three facets to SEVA Leadership: tan, man and dhan—physical, emotional and material service. ‘The SEVA Wheel’ is a simple, easy to apply design framework that offers a new perspective on how to embrace transformative, holistic, leadership for individuals, communities, and organisations to prosper.

Transcript

1. Cheri Flewell-Smith SEVA LEADERSHIP A decolonised perspective
2. I'm Cheri, a proud Sikh woman, Advertising Creative and Lecturer at Torrens University How I embody SEVA in my everyday practice About Me
3. Reconnected me with cultural values Physical / Emotional / Material needs met But first, a story about peas 01 02 03 Started to see the value in giving (more to come)
4. Selfless Service What is SEVA?
5. SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
6. Generosity: Time and energy SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
7. Generosity: Time and energy Community: At the heart of everything SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
8. Generosity: Time and energy Courage: Do the right thing Community: At the heart of everything SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
9. Generosity: Time and energy Courage: Do the right thing Community: At the heart of everything Humility: Without ego SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
10. Generosity: Time and energy Courage: Do the right thing Community: At the heart of everything Humility: Without ego Equality: No hierarchies SEVA Leadership SEVA is based on the values of Sikhism A focus on service with, not for.
11. Back to the peas for a second... Consider how being apart of the process can be a conduit to individual wellbeing but also organisational wellbeing. Changing from the 'Look for the helpers' to being a helper.
12. When employees prosper... Happiness and job performance go hand in hand. People who are happy with their jobs are more likely to contribute to the organization, and as a result are more likely to be physically and mentally healthy (Celestine, 2017).
13. The SEVA Wheel The three types of SEVA Tan: Physical Man: Emotional/ Mental Dhan: Material YOU Emotional + Mental Physical Courage Generosity Humility Equality Community Material
14. The SEVA Wheel The three types of SEVA Tan: Physical Man: Emotional/ Mental Dhan: Material YOU Emotional + Mental Physical Courage Generosity Humility Equality Community Material
15. A new lens to encourage more reflection Design thinking: a way to understanding
16. HMW Questions Pre-record your Canva presentation to present anytime, anywhere. How might we support spiritual and emotional, mental wellbeing? How might we offer access to resources/ opportunities/ ensure equality? Physical Emotional / Mental Material 01 02 03
17. There's room for more than one approach. Cherry pick what works for you. A new and diverse lens From peas to perspective
18. Interested to hear more? Email me at cflewell-smith@torrens.edu.au Thank you!
19. References Celestine, N. (2017, January 26). The Science of Happiness in Positive Psychology 101. PositivePsychology.com. https://positivepsychology.com/happiness/