There was once a
civilization that was the greatest in the world.
By CARLY
FIORINA
CEO, Hewlett Packard
It was able to create a
continental super-state that stretched from ocean to ocean, and
from northern climes to tropics and deserts. Within its dominion
lived hundreds of millions of people, of different creeds and
ethnic origins.
One of its languages became the
universal language of much of the world, the bridge between the
peoples of a hundred lands. Its armies were made up of people of
many nationalities, and its military protection allowed a degree
of peace and prosperity that had never been known. The reach of
this civilization’s commerce extended from Latin America to China,
and everywhere in between.
And this civilization was driven
more than anything, by invention. Its architects designed
buildings that defied gravity. Its mathematicians created the
algebra and algorithms that would enable the building of
computers, and the creation of encryption. Its doctors examined
the human body, and found new cures for disease. Its astronomers
looked into the heavens, named the stars, and paved the way for
space travel and exploration.
Its writers created thousands of
stories. Stories of courage, romance and magic. Its poets wrote of
love, when others before them were too steeped in fear to think of
such things.
When other nations were afraid of
ideas, this civilization thrived on them, and kept them alive.
When censors threatened to wipe out knowledge from past
civilizations, this civilization kept the knowledge alive, and
passed it on to others.
While modern Western civilization
shares many of these traits, the civilization I’m talking about
was the Islamic world from the year 800 to 1600, which included
the Ottoman Empire and the courts of Baghdad, Damascus and Cairo,
and enlightened rulers like Suleiman the Magnificent.
Although we are often unaware of
our indebtedness to this other civilization, its gifts are very
much a part of our heritage. The technology industry would not
exist without the contributions of Arab mathematicians. Sufi
poet-philosophers like Rumi challenged our notions of self and
truth. Leaders like Suleiman contributed to our notions of
tolerance and civic leadership.
And perhaps we can learn a lesson
from his example: It was leadership based on meritocracy, not
inheritance. It was leadership that harnessed the full
capabilities of a very diverse population–that included
Christianity, Islamic, and Jewish traditions.
This kind of enlightened
leadership — leadership that nurtured culture, sustainability,
diversity and courage — led to 800 years of invention and
prosperity.
In dark and serious times like
this, we must affirm our commitment to building societies and
institutions that aspire to this kind of greatness. More than
ever, we must focus on the importance of leadership– bold acts of
leadership and decidedly personal acts of leadership.
With that, I’d like to open up
the conversation and see what we, collectively, believe about the
role of leadership.
(CARLY FIORINA is
CEO, Hewlett Packard. The above piece is an excerpt from her
speech on "TECHNOLOGY, BUSINESS AND OUR WAY OF LIFE: WHAT'S NEXT",
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA, SEPTEMBER 26, 2001)
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