Quo Vadis modern society?
Professor Habib Chamoun-Nicolas’ interview in Europe on his controversial letter about the increased need for “female competencies” in politics and business
Current political discussions in Europe reveal a lack of a Vision for Europe and the development of society. Base of the financial and structural problems as well our future position within a global economy is a crisis of values. The question beyond the current problems is “Where do we want to develop our society?”
Habib Chamoun-Nicolas, PhD, Faculty at IMADEC and author of “Negotiate like a Phoenician” and expert for communication and negotiation asks this question as well for his own country, a rising economy in Latin America – Mexico. He argues for a mature society, in which all “zoon politikon” (Aristotle) members of a society have equal rights and opportunities to take part in the development of the society.
Dr. Chamoun-Nicolas identified a huge problem in Mexican society and economy – the disregard of so-called “female-competencies”, the social skills like empathy and sensitivity.
Therefore he published a letter in which he argues to give more credit to females and their way of solution finding in political and business life to develop a mature society, which would offer more stability and sustainability for economic growth. We have spoken with him about his motivation to publish this letter.
What was your motivation to publish this letter and position yourself so controversial?
At some point in life it’s time to make a comment and to stand for your beliefs. I’m very proud of being Mexican, and it took me years to learn and appreciate the competences of empathy and sensitivity. It really makes a difference in business. After a career in the oil industry, it’s my profession to enhance communication and negotiation skills to improve success, and I’m also responsible to take part in our social development, as all Mexicans.
Your article caused a lot positive reactions but also negative ones. What do you think about this?
I appreciate these reactions a lot – this shows the importance of this issue, and ideally, controversy enhances our perspective on this. I think Mexican society needs and is ready for this step to the next level of maturity.
In this case, practically, it would mean to have an intellectual reaction on different opinions. It’s useful to think more about the various aspects of a different opinion and how to take advantage out of these different aspects than to deny any different opinion based solely on negative emotions.
From your point of view – what would be necessary for the next step?
As stated in my article, it’s time for Mexico to take much more advantage of the so-called “female competencies” like empathy and sensitivity and to give woman more chances to participate in the social development. They would enhance male perspectives and solution finding.
This is not only an academic idea. International studies show the improved results in business when woman participate actively and are respected. I think this is also important in social life as well as in politics.
Mexico is still very entrenched in Machismo and patriarchal values which are rigid and therefore obstructive for future development. It’s also a mandate for parents to raise their children with more self-esteem and self-confidence, so they can interact as adults on a positive and respectful level concerning male and female qualities and competencies.
What would be necessary to make change visible?
Personally, I think it’s critical to enhance the chances and opportunities for Mexicans in their own country. Primarily, this means good education for all and the chance to participate in the economy. Every business education nowadays emphasizes the importance of teamwork, communication (written and oral), negotiation, solution finding and persuasion skills, especially in global economy. Creative solutions in a complex world need knowledge, logic, and social skills, like empathy.
Improved education would enhance the self-esteem of Mexicans in general and personally. I assume that this enhancement would strengthen the interaction of males and females and improve generally cooperation. This would be an important breakthrough towards a respectful and mature society.
Mexico is on its way – but I think we need more efforts to have our Mexican “Angela Merkel” or to make it socially “normal” to have females who are able to combine their personal lives, that might include motherhood, with a business or political career like Ségolène Royal, the former French presidential candidate.
As an international consultant and author you have a lot of experiences with Executives from all continents. What is your perspective on Europe?
Historically, Mexico has strong relationships to Europe. Our perspective on Europe is emotional and positive, and we are culturally connected, but the social and economic situation and challenges are different, while both need modern answers to preserve their values.
For Europe, I assume it is the vision of a mature and developed society, based upon and bound to the social developments and achievements of the last 250 years. Maybe Europe has forgotten the impact their developments have had:
Europe had a French Revolution and Napoleon to develop the society out of feudalism and establish a civil code to provide a base for equality before the law. The principles of this new legal system - freedom for all, protection of private property, complete separation of church and state (secularism), economic freedom, and free choice of employment, gave Europe the legal basis for the market economy.
Europe had the Age of Enlightenment to strengthen science and intellectual interchange and to oppose superstition, intolerance, and abuses in church and state.
Europe had two huge wars in one century to change the political system from monarchy to democracy. After the World War II, the US influenced the European culture and society and provided prosperous impacts on economy. Nowadays Asia is a growing factor in the global economy and will influence our societies.
Thus, it’s time to remember European values again and find answers for the current social and economic challenges.
Mexico and Europe are both challenged to create their own way toward success and modern answers to live their own values.
I must return to my comment about involving woman more actively in society, politics, and economy. It would be stupid to ignore the competencies and potential of 50% of the population – the women. The development of human society is complex, and we are ALL requested to take part responsibly and respectfully.
Thanks so much Dr. Chamoun-Nicolas and I would like to applaud your courage and leadership to give such an opinion that in today environment it is very difficult to find leaders that are willing to risk their reputation with controversial and taught provoking letters for the common good of mankind.
Sabine Mueller
May 2012