Leadership amiss the world over
I was talking to someone this week about leadership. For all intents and purposes, people seem to have lost faith in so-called leaders - either in the corporate world, governance, and even in the church. Happenings around the world confirm this, but my emphasis is on the Nigerian situation and Africa.
Our history, which includes our traditional belief system and then the ungratifying period of colonialism, has sent mixed messages to those who desire leadership.
When traditional kings were the ultimate leaders, they had money, power, and influence. When the colonialists desecrated our tradition, they created an informal bourgeoise community, who were given some power and money, but their influence could only be oppressive because their fellows hated them for conniving with the colonial masters.
Now, we are here where many who have gotten power and money through connections want to broaden their area of ‘oppression’. This is where our confusion lies. I have a compass to which I ascribe, and it is the Christian way. I believe and subscribe to what Jesus said in Matthew 20:25-26.
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles have absolute power and lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant.”
Leadership is one of integrity, interlaced with an awareness of people and issues. The leader cannot be cut off from the adversities and challenges that his subjects face. A leader must know what is right and must be ready to face the truth, no matter the consequences. To get these people into influential offices has become the African albatross. Need I say more on why Africa is where it is today!
Group General Manager at Pragmatic Technologies Group
3 年Well said and quite reflective of the challenges of improper understanding of subject matter by those saddled with positions of impacts. Leadership is simply about service to others. However and unfortunately in Africa, the engrained idea of leadership is the opposite of service. Closer home, many believe it is the fulcrum for self-enrichment and repulsive extension of unmerited patronage. The resultant effects of the jaundiced understanding have led us into the visible decay assaying anyone who cares to ponder about the situation of our societies.
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3 年A very thought-provoking message that will keep us all aware of true leadership. I agree with you on how the paradigm has shifted since our independence. I also believe that Leadership is a performing art - a collection of practices and behaviors rather than a position. It comprises of attributes and results which makes the leadership so effective. So, we all don't have to hold a position or status in the society to be a leader. I believe we all have a role to play in fixing the nation. We can do this by: - Recognising that sometimes elegant solution won't work sometime, we need to be creative in our own space. - Think in shades of grey, not just black and white - Consider the pragmatic utility of clumsy solutions - Sometimes you have to loose the small battles in order to win the war - Ask questions, assume nothing - And finally, meet challenges head-on. Avoiding a problem is not likely to make it go away.More likely to grow out of control if not addressed. Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts on this pressing topic in our great country.
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3 年Yele Okeremi, DBA I'm glad that you touched on this topic. Every good and bad thing starts from the leader. An establishment is unfortunate when it has a leader that doesn't understand the impact of power. This is what we see in many African countries. Leaders without good understanding of power.