Humility, Welfare and Leadership: Abdul Sattar Edhi 

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we recognise the words of Abdul Sattar Edhi, a lifelong volunteer and founder of the Edhi Foundation, which operates the world's biggest ambulance network throughout Pakistan. Edhi's quote highlights the importance of developing humility as leaders and authenticity: 

A Life of Service 

Abdul Sattar Edhi is remembered as someone who devoted his life to helping the poor. In sixty years, he transformed welfare in Pakistan. Edhi is most well-known as the Founder of the Edhi Foundation. Despite his status as Founder, he refused a salary, living in a single room with a small kitchen. The Edhi Foundation advances in both the magnitude and the scale of its aid, persisting in its status as the biggest welfare organisation in Pakistan. 

Since its conception in 1951, the Edhi Foundation has saved over 20,000 deserted children, rehabilitated more than 50,000 orphans, and educated over 40,000 nurses. It has operated over 330 welfare centres in Pakistan which function as food kitchens, rehabilitation homes, shelters for abandoned women and children, and hospitals for those with mental and physical illnesses. It is also the largest volunteer ambulance service globally, running around-the-clock services. 

Leadership Beyond Appearances 

In his quote, Edhi notes that we are often distracted by appearances and how we present ourselves outwardly. This is particularly prevalent today, where we constantly present ourselves on social media. However, Edhi highlights the importance of developing one's inner values and character, which are fluid and can be moulded with effort. In particular, he underlines the importance of humility. We can see this in Edhi's own life and his humble lifestyle, despite his revolutionary work: he led from behind. 

Edhi's approach emphasises the Laidlaw value of being #Good and the Oxford Character Project Leadership Virtue of #Humility. To be good means striving to create meaningful change on a global scale. Humility means to be modest and reflective, leading from behind when necessary, rather than taking a superficial, appearance-driven approach to leadership. The Oxford Character Project encourages us to learn from leaders we see and identify key character traits. By doing this, we can identify and gradually develop these within ourselves. 

A Call to Reflect

As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, we invite you to reflect on Abdul Sattar Edhi's powerful leadership insights. Share your thoughts in the comments: How has volunteering shaped the way you lead — or the way you view leadership?