Family, feudalism and selfishness: Looking at Indonesian leadership through a wisdom lens

Abstract

Using Social Practice Wisdom (SPW) as a conceptual lens, we shed new light on destructive, selfish leadership and its negative effects. Our study highlights the negative effects on followers of leaders' selfishness, as well as lack of empathy and inauthenticity. Our work also sheds light on new cross-cultural leadership challenges in emerging economies like Indonesia. Analysis reveals deep tensions between Indonesian leaders' tendency to position themselves in self-serving discourses of feudalism and family, and what young, western educated Indonesian professionals now expect of leaders. Selfish leadership discourse and lack of leader wisdom jeopardize Indonesia's economic development. We argue that wise dialogical communication enhances wise leadership.

Trapped within ideological wars: Femininities in a Muslim society and the contest of women as leaders

“…So, while encouraged to pursue public leadership, women have to ensure the well‐being of their family. The cultural values in Indonesia are predominantly influenced by Javanese patriarchy mixed with Islam and other ethnic values emphasizing the integration of family life (Oktaviani et al., 2016). Hence, for many women, success is defined not only based on how triumphant they are in the public domain (such as achieving leadership) but also on their integration of family and work life.…”

“…Because Indonesia does not constitutionally adopt an Islamic ideology, it is considered a quasi‐secular country (Fenwick, 2016). Its explicit ideology is Pancasila (Oktaviani et al., 2016). Historically, the people of the Indonesian archipelago converted to Islam in the 14th century, mainly through trade, peaceful preaching, and cultural assimilation (Azra, 2005).…”

Indonesian women leaders navigating hegemonic femininity: A Gramscian lens

“…In addition, hegemonic forms of femininity are continually contested in public discourses. Considering Indonesia as a democratic Muslim‐majority society with its cultural characteristics but also open to various influences, discourses, and hegemonic power (Oktaviani et al., 2016), manifestations of idealized femininity in society, for example, traditional Indonesian idealized femininity or neoliberal postfeminist forms of ideal femininity, still conceal hidden forms of patriarchal values or feminist repudiation that is not fully supportive of women's claim to leadership rights (Oktaviani et al., 2021). In recent years, there also has been increasing opposition to women's leadership due to the increasing Islamism in the country (Van Bruinessen, 2013).…”

Paternalistic leadership as a double-edged sword: Analysis of the Sri Lankan President’s response to the COVID-19 crisis

“…A study conducted in Indonesia (Oktaviani et al, 2016) found that while paternalistic leaders were perceived as hierarchical parental figures, ingrained elements of feudalism, politics of friendship, family and favouritism influenced these leaders to be self-serving, corrupt and often inclined towards authoritarianism. Furthermore, paternalistic leadership has been compared to 'benevolent dictatorship' (Northouse, 1997).…”