This morning, I have been contemplating hierarchy and what it means to be a “leader”. In the worldly sense, when we think of hierarchy we think of one person at the top with levels of people below, with each level having less and less authority, autonomy, etc.

But what if we rethought what hierarchy is? What if we began to see it in a different way, a more healthful way? Here are my thoughts on what this could look like.

Hierarchy has nothing to do with authority over another, but rather the level of life experience and wisdom of an individual, who then brings that experience and wisdom into a group or community. In religious Jewish culture, the wisest always speaks last. He or she allows all voices to be heard, and only after all have been given the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on a matter does the wisest among them give their own thoughts and opinions. It’s not about whether one person is better than any other. It is about how a person has been shaped by their experiences. It is about the community recognizing in their leaders the wisdom to avoid pitfalls that would destroy a community and highlight those things that might allow a community to flourish. It is not about control, but perspective.

The wise have learned from experience and have a more expansive understanding and knowledge that the young and inexperienced do not yet have. Perhaps this is why the elders of various cultures and tribes have been so venerated in the past.

The wise have learned that it is better to serve than to rule. It is better to listen than to speak. It is better to be curious than to be right.

Would love to hear your thoughts!