Introduction

In our era of collective failures, where political development falls short of sustainability and societal well-being, we must reassess our approach to governance. As Habermas (1981) notes, there exists a systematic discrepancy between political vision and the real impact of our actions on people's lives and the planet's sustainability. The colonisation of our lifeworld by economic and social theories, prioritising money and power over dialogue and understanding, threatens identity, meaning, and solidarity.

Identifying Three Core Deficiencies

At three fundamental levels, our understanding of interconnections falters. Societally, we struggle to balance ecological sustainability with our consumption of non-renewable resources. Socially, a growing population exacerbates inequalities in access to essential goods. Lastly, a spiritual-cultural divide disconnects us from the implications of our decisions on future living conditions (Scharmer & Kaufer, 2013:4).

Government's Call for Sustainable Development

The Norwegian government emphasizes the role of municipalities as key actors in realizing sustainability goals. The focus is on securing broad support for sustainability goals in local planning, steering development towards tools for implementation, specifying municipalities' leeway, promoting relevant indicators, sharing knowledge, fostering political engagement, and ensuring democratic anchoring (Hanssen NIBR, 2019). 

The Role of Public Innovation

Public innovation is expected to address societal challenges arising from increased service needs, complex problems, democratic deficits, and the capacity to handle global political challenges. Co-creative innovation processes become crucial when confronting intricate issues, necessitating negotiations and solutions involving critical stakeholders. This leads to the central question of employing co-creative innovation in holistic societal development, maximizing the benefits of multi-actor collaboration within democratic frameworks. 

Leadership, Democracy, and Sustainability

Leadership is a linchpin in addressing global challenges, with weak leadership contributing to government failures. Leadership legitimacy in a democratic context is vital for sustainable development (Goodman James & Morton, Tom, 2014:229). Scharmer's assertion that "successful leadership depends on the quality of attention and intention the leader brings to any situation" underscores the significance of intentionality in leadership (Scharmer, 2007:1).

Individual Wisdom as the Source of Leadership

Individual wisdom, expressed through conscious reflections and mental models for holistic understanding, structures the foundation for wise leadership. Context and theory are analyzed from a power perspective, as institutional change resulting from various forms of power expresses wise leadership. The source of wise leadership lies in the individual's conscious reflection processes and mental models, which structure their approach to sustainable development through power in interaction with others.

Conclusion

While power explains much, it does not explain everything. This critical examination of reality through the lens of power necessitates readers to consider alternative explanations. The conclusions drawn must be used with caution. Nurturing wise leadership for sustainable societal development requires a conscious and reflective approach to individual wisdom, which becomes the cornerstone for achieving holistic and functional outcomes at institutional, strategic, tactical, and operational levels.

This article advocates for a paradigm shift towards democratic legitimacy, co-creative innovation, and the cultivation of individual wisdom as essential components for navigating the complexities of modern governance and achieving true sustainability in our societies.

Skrevet av Ann-Heidi Paulsen Orvik. Alle rettigheter tilhører Demokratitanken AS og er beskyttet av Åndsverkloven.