In the last blog I tried to juxtapose the various definition given to the word leadership. In this blog I’m going to build on that as promised.
Also in this blog we are going to be answering some pertinent questions as regards the subject of
leadership. I won’t be surprised if my last blog generated a lot of tensions or raised a lot of questions at the least. Thus this blog will answer some questions as well as build on where we stopped the last
time. Without much ado, let’s get right to it.
Also in this blog we are going to be answering some pertinent questions as regards the subject of
leadership. I won’t be surprised if my last blog generated a lot of tensions or raised a lot of questions at the least. Thus this blog will answer some questions as well as build on where we stopped the last
time. Without much ado, let’s get right to it.
Let me refresh your mind on what we discussed the last time. We were able to look at two of the functions of a leader. We were able to look at his ability to rule and inspires. That is his ability to rule himself that is, distinguish himself in all aspect of his personal life. In integrity and in honesty. Let me cite an example. As a principle, he never break an appointment and a promise. He never goes late for an appointment because he rules himself and not others. Thus this quality puts him in position where he is able to inspire others where ‘others’ refers to people who consciously become his
protegee. Well that being said, lets look at the third definition of a leader.
protegee. Well that being said, lets look at the third definition of a leader.
Another function of a leader is to guide. What then does it mean to guide? I’m interested in this definition: to accompany somebody somewhere to show them the way. Note the word ‘accompany’, which means to be a companion to somebody. Are you getting this? He does not stay aloof and say hey! Why on earth have you not done thine done that? He is actually in the same shoe as the person in question. Guiding him through every step of the way. He guides- that must infer that he knows where the other person is going and identifies with his choices, drives, beliefs and inclinations. He knows how to turn a bad decision around for the good of the other person (please note the use of “the other person”). He does not judge or criticize his choices neither does he second guess his decisions and beliefs. He seeks to understand the other person’s reason for acting this way or that way and seek guide such that he does end up wrecking himself. In short he shows die hard empathy.
It is important however to note that a leader must embark on a self discovery journey. He must be trained in the art of leadership. Oops, did i just say art? Yes i said it. Leadership is an art, it can be learned and hence thought. It Stephen R covey who says that leadership is by choice. I agree with him a 110%. A choice to be a leader is a choice to commit to a leader and a choice to commit to learning. A wise man counseled that we should a learner for living. A man looking to go into leadership must
endeavor to commit himself to learning. You know why? Experience can not be divorced from exceptional leadership. Hmm, i hear some people say that training is superior to experience. Well i agree
only in part. You know why? Experience in itself is training. A true man of experience is a man
trained in the university of life otherwise known as the university of hard knocks where he passed all his exams. Let me state here for a fact that a man does not necessarily permit his protegee to go through what he passed through but he offers his guidance based on what he went through. A
good leader sees the pitfall before a man under his training falls therein.
endeavor to commit himself to learning. You know why? Experience can not be divorced from exceptional leadership. Hmm, i hear some people say that training is superior to experience. Well i agree
only in part. You know why? Experience in itself is training. A true man of experience is a man
trained in the university of life otherwise known as the university of hard knocks where he passed all his exams. Let me state here for a fact that a man does not necessarily permit his protegee to go through what he passed through but he offers his guidance based on what he went through. A
good leader sees the pitfall before a man under his training falls therein.
I made a promise in the last blog which i can not but fulfil. But before i do that i really must tell you guys this as it is very noteworthy. Now out of three functions of a leader highlighted in my blog here, do you know that two out of the three are for intending trainees (in really don’t like the word follower, please pardon me). While one of the functions is to him and him alone. That is he must rule- distinguish himself and this function must be carried out first before he is actually discovered by intending trainees. Until he rules, he won’t be able to inspire and guide well. Now to the question: how do i inspire others? Let’s look at the definition of the word again. It means to serve as the inciting cause of something. Remember i coined the word “contagious leadership” in the last post? Well that’s about it. The actions or conducts of a leader must be such that they inspire people to act the way they are acting. A leader should act or do what he wants to see the other person doing. For instance if i want the other person to cultivate the habit of reading then he must that he is an addict reader himself. I believe with time the trainee will see that habit and pick it up unconsciously without being cajoled into doing such.
So until next time, Shalom
