Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Vision Of Leadership: A vision of leadership calls for havinga spirit of...

Vision Of Leadership: A vision of leadership calls for havinga spirit of...: A vision of leadership calls for having a spirit of collegiality. A good leader knows how to delegate assignments and exercise legitimat...

A vision of leadership calls for having a spirit of collegiality. A good leader knows how to delegate assignments and exercise legitimate power in the church. Inevitably, he will summon his troops to pursue his long term plans. By so doing, he is able to envision the whole relationship of all the committees that he has to lead. His insight tells him how best to foster the mutual actualization of his flock. Through his direction his sheep will glow and be filled with inspiration to do their respective duties. By his example, he will be able to generate and inflame the spirit of all those under his direction – in transforming and with innovation of their environment.

An American businessman Bo Bennett (b. 1972) stated, “Those who improve with age embrace the power of personal growth and personal achievement and begin to replace youth and wisdom, innocence and understanding, and lack of purpose with self-actualization.” An effective leader will have grown and guided his flock in wisdom.

Ethical Leadership

An ethical leader does not strive to control group creativity. He avoids manipulation to get things done. Decisions are not leader-centered but worker-centered. It is for him to be sure that he is understood and his instructions are carried out. His leadership is not dominant, but he sets the example by his management style. A noteworthy quality is being humble while serving others to work in unison with him. His very demeanor will show his capacity to rally the work force.

It was a preeminent leader of India's Independence Movement, Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948) who observed, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This quality is what is expected in a leader. Pope Francis (b. 1936) the Catholic Church Pope remarked, “Every man, every woman who has to take up the service of government, must ask themselves two questions: 'Do I love my people in order to serve them better? Am I humble and do I listen to everybody, to diverse opinions in order to choose the best path?' If you don't ask these questions, your governance will not be good.” These are questions leaders must sincerely answer in order to be truly accountable to their constituents.

Peer Pressure

A leader must resist psychological coercion. His aim will be to strive for authentic personal fulfillment. His approach with workers must not be lukewarm or heavy handed. At all cost he must avoid trying to manipulate them to attain the upper hand in decision making. All people must be respected and honored for who they really are. Everyone must be treated like a colleague – the adults they really are. Benjamin Carson (b. 1951) an American author and retired neurosurgeon felt, “No matter how good you are at planning, the pressure never goes away. So I don't fight it. I feed off it. I turn pressure into motivation to do my best.” This should be an example for a potential leader who wishes to counter stress in a work environment.

Having Effective Communication

A leader must be quick to listen. He must  never look upon himself as desirous of increasing his status for the purpose of self gratification. His foremost goal is to be a pacifier of debates and conflicts with his flock. He will practice authenticity and treat his followers with the utmost respect and dignity. It is for him to follow these guidelines on leadership that are in the Scriptures.  It will be an exercise in spiritual growth and development by motivating his flock to higher and higher levels of accomplishments. At no time must a leader give the appearance of being an authoritarian figure. Such an approach will only damage a church's welfare.

Quincy Adams (1767 – 1848) the sixth President of the United States and statesman was certain, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This ought to be part of the perspective and vision of every leader.