This article is about the concept and style of enlightened leadership in Bhutan.
The Country of Bhutan
Bhutan is a small country in the Himalayas between China and India. It is commonly referred to as the world’s happiest country and the only carbon-negative country. Some call it the last Shangri-la.
Shangri-la
noun. An imaginary paradise on earth, especially a remote and exotic utopia. a faraway haven or hideaway of idyllic beauty and tranquility.
-dictionary.com
In most countries, a country’s health measures are measured by gross domestic product. But, in Bhutan, they measure gross national happiness. To the leaders of Bhutan, gross national happiness is more important than gross domestic product. They heavily emphasize the happiness and well-being of the people living in Bhutan, as well as taking care of their pristine natural environment.
The phrase and concept of enlightened leadership was something I first heard in this video by Yes Theory when I was looking for Bhutan travel vlogs. In the video, the creator gets a chance to meet with the ex-prime minister of Bhutan, Tshering Tobgay, and discuss the country of Bhutan.
Enlightened Leadership
In the interview in the video, the ex-prime minister talks about the importance of leadership, specifically the importance of enlightened leadership.
The gross national happiness development philosophy takes a holistic approach to growing the nation. While economic growth is still essential to the country, the leaders of Bhutan strive to balance economic growth with the following:
- social development
- environmental sustainability
- cultural preservation
- good governance
These are the building blocks of the nation’s gross national happiness. While economic growth is essential, it is done with other considerations.
To Bhutan, economic development should be sustainable, environmentally sustainable, and equally spread throughout society.
The country provides free healthcare and free education to its people, as well as a focus on community and preserving the culture.
The government has limited the number of tourists allowed to visit to curb over-tourism and to help protect their environment and has charged a ‘sustainable development fee’ to tourists to help make tourism a low impact on the country.
The country has many environmental sustainability initiatives. One is that five million acres of protected areas are connected to each other in a network to allow wildlife to roam freely. Also, Bhutan’s constitution demands that sixty percent of the country’s land stay under forest cover.
Putting the happiness and well-being of the people of Bhutan, as well as the protection of the environment and the preservation of the culture is why the leaders of Bhutan are known for their enlightened leadership.
They are thinking of the future: future generations of Bhutanese people, future conservation of the land, and preservation of a culture.
Leadership Styles: Enlightened Leadership
The enlightened leaders of Bhutan are a great example of someone developing their own leadership style. It is clear that the leaders of Bhutan knew what their values were and used to values to guide their leadership of a country.
There are many different types of leadership styles. Knowing the types of the leadership styles that exist and the one that you prefer to employ help you develop a dynamic and effective leadership style of your own.
A Final Note
I hope you enjoyed learning about the country of Bhutan and some of their guiding principles. If you are ready to get started on your own leadership journey, make sure you get this free guide: 3 Ways to Feel Less Overwhelmed at Work.