Moral Imagination

In the past two weeks I have heard the phrase Moral Imagination used in multiple settings.  One involved an excellent podcast with Brene Brown & Adam Grant (The Curiosity Shop) where they were talking about what makes a great commencement speech and what makes a bad one.  One of the elements they felt like helped to set apart excellence from mediocrity in this area was Moral Imagination.  They basically described it as the courage to creatively think and explore options that help raise the expectations for kindness and decency among humans.

In another setting, some leaders were talking about qualities and characteristics that tend to set apart great leaders. Moral Imagination was one of those, and they referenced how in that context it is the ability to think creatively about solutions that don't just protect the status quo, but help to challenge thinking and invite everyone participating to lean in and make the space safer and the work better. 

I was deeply intrigued by both of these conversations and so began wondering, "What is Moral Imagination, and how can it be used and applied most effectively in leadership and life?"

That question led me to some additional exploring that revealed this definition:  Moral Imagination is the capacity to creatively envision new, ethical, and successful alternatives when facing a difficult situation, rather than just following rigid rules or accepting a false choice.

After considering all of that, I decided to write my own definition since sometimes putting things in my own words helps me to digest it better. So, here's my definition:

Moral Imagination is the process of using our creativity to face problems in ways that bring more love, beauty, and goodness into the situation and lives of those involved.

It seems like there are two elements that I am finding are consistent:

1 - Creativity in the face of adversity or struggle.  If we are going to engage in Moral Imagination we aren't going to just accept the standard answers for difficult questions.  We will be willing to explore and experiment, looking for new ways to tackle tough circumstances.

2 - The solutions must elevate the outcomes toward greater goodness.  The problem doesn't just get solved - it gets addressed in ways that make the situation better, and everyone involved in the outcome experiences greater wholeness in their lives as well.

While I reserve the right to be wrong about this (but probably not - ha!), if we take this basic principle of Moral Imagination in the way I am describing it, how and where could you use it in your life & leadership right now?  Is there a particular situation that just keeps coming back up and never seems to find a good solution?  Who else could you involve in the creative thinking process to help look for better and more wholistic outcomes?  Is there a particular situation where people have just accepted that "this is just the way it is," and if so, how might applying some Moral Imagination bring some new perspectives and better solutions?

Here's to dreaming of ways to engage our Moral Imagination this week (and beyond)!

Be Well,

Stephen

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