Indigenous Culture and Leadership: A Literature Review

This study aimed to examine sustainable leadership models within the Orang Asli, specifically the Semai community in Malaysia. The goal was to develop a sustainable leadership model based on the traditions and cultural practices of the Semai community, with the potential to contribute to a more inclusive and culturally sensitive leadership theory and practice. A qualitative approach was used, employing literary analysis to explore the cultural traditions of the Semai community. The findings of this study revealed that the sustainable leadership model can be adapted to several key elements, including community empowerment, environmental conservation, inter-generational knowledge sharing, and sharing with external stakeholders. As such, it can serve as a useful framework for understanding the values and practices of the community and how they can be incorporated into leadership models. Overall, this study highlights the importance of understanding and respecting the traditions and cultural practices of diverse communities in the development of sustainable leadership models. By drawing upon the cultural knowledge and practices of the Orang Asli particularly the Semai community, this new model of leadership can not only contribute to a more holistic and culturally sensitive approach to leadership theory and practice, but also promote greater social inclusion and cohesion within the community. Furthermore, it can help to bridge the gap between modern leadership practices and the traditional wisdom of indigenous cultures, allowing for a more balanced and nuanced understanding of leadership in diverse contexts.