So many things have been written about leadership. So many titles of books on leadership you can see in your bookstores. So many expensive seminars give on leadership. And even churches, businesses and institutions realize the importance of the subject matter. Yet the prevailing question is this:
“Why do so few leaders view their associates are equals?”
Allow me to tell you a story.
Alexander the Great once led his troops across a hot, arid desert.
After nearly two weeks of marching, he and his soldiers were near death from thirst, yet Alexander forged ahead. In the noonday sun, two of his scouts brought what little water they were able to find. It barely filled a cup. Alexander’s troops were shocked when he poured water into the burning sand. The king said, “It is of no use for one to drink when many thirst.” NO wonder he was able to conquer the known world during his time!
He could have said, “I am the leader and I am entitled to all the perks in life.” OR he could have said, ” I am the most important person in this organization, so everything must be done in order to protect me.” OR he could have said, “Men I take pleasure in drinking this cup of water that you have brought me. No, I didn’t take it on my own and I would like to thank you for giving me this pleasure and privilege. But fear not, the moment I am refreshed, I shall lead you to greater battles and once we reach our quota, I promise you that everyone shall have a tank full of water for his home and you will never regret this.”
No. This young leader didn’t say and didn’t do all these, he simply poured the water into the burning sand and said, “It is of no use for one to drink when many thirst.”
You see leadership is not about great speeches and rhetoric. It is not about how beautiful and eye-catching you bullet points are in you PowerPoint presentations.
Leadership is best exhibited in the battlefield. This is when the leader stands at the crossroads faced with choosing between personal safety and risking himself for his or her people.
When the leader has to choose between personal convenience and sacrifice. When the leader has to decide getting the limelight or giving the credit to his people.
That’s when you see real leadership in a person or something else.
Treating those in your group or organization as “team members” or “associates” will not work if it’s only a scheme or a strategy. Do you truly see them as equals? Is the word “partner” a genuine heart-felt expression? Would you drink while many are thirsty?
The Bible has this to say: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than you
* A Swedish proverb says: “Leaders are needed more in difficult times. In Calm water every ship has a good captain.”
* Arnold Glasow says: “A good leader takes a little more than his share of blame, a little less than his share of credit.”
* Even the famous Napoleon Bonaparte says: “There are no bad soldiers, only bad officers.”
Simply put, the Bible says good leadership starts with being a good servant, and I guess this says it all.
Tags: ambition, bad soldiers, bible, blame, credit, leadership, model, self, strength, strong
