Reflecting on Stories from Madagascar.

When I recently posted on social media about my recent podcast interview with corporate governance expert, Nell Minow, one commenter observed that it seemed like quite a leap to go to that from talking about stories from my time in Madagascar as a missionary with the LDS church.

Ostensibly, it is a leap. But when one considers what lies at the heart of corporate governance (people and their values), it doesn’t seem like such a leap at all. Invariably, good (or bad) governance comes down to people and how they choose to live their lives (self-governance), as those choices are carried within the character of each board member as they enter the boardroom. There is no algorithm to keep boards on track and in check when making the sorts of values-based decisions that only people can make.

And so my podcast, Real Clear Values, which looks at values (the good, the bad and the ugly) was always going to start with my own values journey, which really kicked off when I went to Madagascar. 

As enjoyable and valuable as it’s been for me to reflect on my values journey, producing podcast episodes to share that journey isn’t intended to be an act of self-indulgence; I’ve struggled with and have had to overcome several things that many others struggle with and may yet struggle with. It is my conviction that I have a responsibility to share the nub of my experiences to help others who may find themselves in similar situations.

Biggest Lesson from Madagascar

I started my journey to Madagascar with a self-centred outlook: what’s in it for me? Will it be worth my while? Is what’s over there better than what I’ve got here? But I don’t castigate myself for that whatsoever; it was simply where I was at the time, and quite a natural starting point for many.

What I started to learn during my time in Madagascar, however, was that as I shifted my focus towards contributing towards others’ wellbeing (and improving my ability to contribute), I found much greater enjoyment in the experience itself and achieved much better outcomes. It’s the biblical paradox: lose yourself to find yourself.

Before we go on to make bigger and better contributions to others (à la good governance etc.) in achieving success that’s both meaningful and lasting, we first have to take care of ourselves to ensure that the values we live by are fit for purpose. This lesson was central to my learning from life in Madagascar.

Real Tests in the Real World

But I hadn’t fully learned that lesson in Madagascar. As rough and ready as the Madagascar experience was, in some respects it wasn’t representative of the ‘real world’; I was living life as a missionary with all of its associated structures and rules, which wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) last forever. As I would find out, notwithstanding all of my learning and growth in Madagascar, some of my greatest tests were yet to come.

As I retell those stories, before moving on to my stories of values in the workplace (including the boardroom), the leap from Madagascar to corporate governance should seem like less of a leap and more like two different stages of a natural progression.

Tune In

You can listen to Real Clear Values through the following platforms:

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Finally, if you have any recommendations of who I should invite to come on the Real Clear Values podcast to talk about values – the good, the bad and the ugly – at both individual and organisational levels then please feel free to drop me a line: tom@3stewardships.com.

I already have a long shortlist with some great guests lined up, but I’m always open to suggestions.

And, as always, if you would like to create a life of purpose, meaning and fulfilment for your own pursuit of sustainable success then drop me a line: tom@3stewardships.com.

Tom Englishvalues, podcast, Real Clear Values, story, MadagascarComment