Mother Teresa set an example of service and sacrifice as a Catholic Nun and a mother to the needy.

Human history has reached an inflection point. Just within the last few years, governments have undergone significant transformations, financial systems have dissolved leaving room for radically new models, and rapid advances in communication and transportation have redefined the lines between nationality, race, culture and even religion.  Such times call for bold leadership that is guided by a universal aspiration and tied to time-tested principles and values that form the basis of our common humanity.

This leadership must be moral and it must be innovative. Moral leadership is guided by irrevocable universal principles and values.  Moral leadership seeks the “greater good” that benefits not only the individual but the world.

Innovative leaders harness humanity’s natural creative need to advance the human condition in order to generate groundbreaking inventions to address complex global issues. Both are like two sides of a coin.

Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth president of the United States, broke the century old institution of slavery.

Around the world, leaders that embody the characteristics of moral and innovative leadership are affecting their communities on political, social and economic issues ranging from championing human rights to fighting to maintain traditional values as well as engaging the Millennium Development Goals. These men and women are guided by an altruistic spirit of service and are aware of pressing issues and potential outcomes.

Every culture has examples of extraordinary men and women who propelled humanity forward by exercising their God-given talents even to the point of challenging existing paradigms. Their contributions did not come without challenges.  It is fair to say that the modern world with its greater freedoms and advancements has benefited greatly due to the sacrifices of these innovators.

During the month of February, such leadership will be highlighted.

At GPC 2012, seven remarkable leaders were recognized for their contributions to family, academics, politics, service, philanthropy and religion.

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Our world is going through a period of dramatic transition.  Particularly this year, many governments are holding decisive elections: Kenya, South Korea, the United States, to name a few.

Moral and effective leadership is not defined by one’s religion, nationality, ideology or even political affiliation. Good leadership is determined by the principles and values by which one lives.  Let us keep this in heart as each of us steps up as global citizens.

The deciding factor at such times is “moral and innovative leadership.”

Transcript:

“I submit to you that the deciding factor at such times is always moral and innovative leadership, on every level.

What do I mean by moral and  innovative leadership? First, it has to promote a “greater good” that can benefit not only the individual but the larger society, nation and eventually the world. This is the moral orientation of the leadership I am describing. To come to fruition, it has to be guided by a vision and a clear set of irrevocable universal principles and values that have the breadth and depth to encompass the diversity of the human family.

Secondly, it has to harness mankind’s natural creative need to advance and develop the human condition. This is the innovative component of leadership. As you all know, every culture has examples of extraordinary men and women who propelled humanity forward in the fields of philosophy, ethics, the sciences, athletics and the cultural arts, by freely exercising their God-given talents even to the point of challenging existing paradigms. Although many faced difficulties due to the religious, societal and legal constraints of their time, it is fair to say that the modern world with its greater freedoms and advancements has benefited greatly due to the sacrifices of these innovators.”

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