History always repeats itself when refuse to learn from our
past. Many times we hold on to the past, which distracts us from present
accomplishment and makes the future seem uncertain. The best thing about your
past is the lesson you learn from it, to improve your life and leadership skills
in order to avoid tragedy of leadership.
The kind of leadership I believe in is not the “kingly
leadership,” that has become a popular concept today but “servant leadership.”
You might have been familiar with such, where one man or woman seats and
commands others at will like a task master would his slave.
I have found that there is a great disparity between such
leaders and the led. Many times the leader could hardly tell the mind of the
people he or she is leading, and this often leads to tragedy of leadership.
The kingly leadership could have been inherited from Colonial
masters; the leader is so authoritative and more concerned about satisfying
personal gratifications and totally unconcerned about the feelings and opinion
of the people. This is far from Biblical or traditional African concept of
leadership, which is more inclusive, and service oriented, rather than being
power drunk, benefit conscious and disregarding people.
It is highly imperative to note that love and selflessness
is the foundation for true leadership. If we can solve the problem of
leadership in Africa, then we would have achieved a lot in changing the cause
of history and accomplish things twenty generations to come will be proud of.
Look around and see, the depth of tragedy of leadership
eating deep into the fabric of our society. Many leaders today are totally
unconcerned about the welfare of their followers but selfish interest and what
they can save for their unborn generation. These leaders forget that the
strength and glory of leadership is followership. The content of our character
of good leadership is worth more than the reputation we build up to manipulate
and impress people even when our failure seems to be so glaring.
You and I have a part to play in causing a social, economic,
political and moral transformation in our nation. Together we can rewrite
history, and end this tragedy of leadership. Together we can win the war
against poverty and corruption, when every man or woman in our society
understand their place and purpose, and selflessly commit to building rather
than criticism and destruction.
I believe in our abilities to make leadership more
inclusive, and build a society where everyone’s opinion matters. It begins in
our families, which is the smallest unit of the society. Imagine a nation where
the husband is a leader who listens and respects his wife, the wife submits and
loves her husband and together they train up their children with values and
principles that leads to success. That would be a paradise on earth, a nation
where peace and tranquility reigns. Law, equity and justice would be the order
of the day.
No one is destined to build us a developed and enviable
nation to live in. The reason we fail many times is waiting for God or others
to make things happen for us. Understand that God has done His part by giving
us life, natural resources and a brain to think, but we have a choice to make of
what we want to become. We truly have a choice and decisions to make, yes we
always have a choice to do right or wrong. As a leader, understand that no
choice or decision you make leaves you the same; it either makes you better or bitter.
Therefore, to savage our nation and end this tragedy of leadership is to make
the right decisions and do what is right all the time no matter who is doing
wrong.
Leadership is not
determined by the size of your office, but your effectiveness and impact. As a
leader who desires success rather than tragedy, pay attention to leading by
example. Learn to listen to the heart and mind of the people you are leading.
Be quick to apologize and make amends when you make mistakes, this is simply
accepting your humanity. Become a leader that adds value to people, not one
that uses people to achieve what he wants and neglects them after achieving his
or her objectives.
The essence of leadership is the ability to lead yourself,
and others in the right direction towards achieving a common goal for the good
of all. It is being a role model, becoming a symbol of excellence that others
admire and naturally will follow. Anything short of this, is leading to tragedy.
Yes we can make a difference, we can turn tragedy into success
if we determine to lead with vision and purpose in our homes, offices and any
where we find ourselves. One thing you must not forget is that leadership is an
opportunity and a responsibility that history will judge what we did or didn’t
do with the opportunity to make the world a better place.
Ezekiel Moses is a
Writer, Consultant, Creative Artist, Broadcaster and Blogger. He is a sought
after motivational speaker who has impacted many people, young and old over the
years. He is a Branding, Marketing and Adverts specialist and Best Seller
Author. For further enquires please call: 231 7755 97336, www.changeentertainments.blogspot.com E-mail: iamezekielmosesdgr8@gmail.com Published in The New Dawn News Paper Monrovia Liberia
