Leadership is a calling – an action of ensuring that a group of like-minded people achieve a set goal. It is a requirement for the development of communities or organisations. Whether entrenched in one person or spread as a shared means of control, it is always an essential component for the progression of people.
There is a lot of argument about what constitutes leadership. Contemporary leadership writings show that most scholars believe leaders are both born and made (Henry and Richard Blackaby). I believe that this does not matter as leadership constructed from either source will derive the required objective as long as it is geared for common good. Certain people were born into leadership by blood and as such were coached on the “dos and don’ts” of leadership.
Some, such as Malcolm X, who, despite being a gang member in his youth, became an icon for the Black Freedom struggle in the USA. Leadership is often not flamboyant and usually does not involve spellbinding speeches or dramatic actions. If you make better the place where you live, work, study and worship, then you are a leader. And if ever this world needs leaders, it is now. A good leader is like the grease that lubricates a machine. If a weak, declining organisation teeters on the brink of disbandment, then a leader brings a positive influence of improvement.
The leader galvanises the people, directs action, inspires confidence and boosts morale. The leader doesn’t do all the work, but improves people’s performance and morale. The collective sense of relief and hope pervades the work atmosphere. With a new leader at the helm, developments that eluded previous administrators for years are accomplished in weeks.
How can the same collection of people languish under one leader and flourish under another? How is it possible that the very same people who were previously disillusioned now generate the most results? The difference at times has little to do with the problems, limitations, or personnel. Good leadership eschews pride and lack of consideration for the thoughts of others. This allows the team or organisation to feel part of the decision making process, allowing for more creative and realistic solutions to be developed. Sometimes, a dictatorial approach is necessitated so as to reduce downtime and expedite results.
However, such – done in moderation and with the involvement of all team members with expertise in required fields brings out the best results. At the end of the day, it all boils down to result-oriented leadership. A leader is always willing to learn. Even when the concept or idea threatens to go against his own initiative. The leader must be able to fully assess the said threat, breaks it down to its smallest atom and then see how to counter such with facts. He/ she must perhaps incorporate it to have a more encompassing result. Whether chairing a church committee, leading a corporation, or rearing their children, some men and women are successful no matter the circumstances. Others suffer chronic failure and wallow in mediocracy, I am convinced that most organisations have the potential for growth and success. The key is leadership.
According to the Bible, God is not necessarily looking for leaders. At least not in the sense we might think. He is looking for servants (Isa. 59:16 & Ezek. 22:30). People everywhere are looking for someone to lead them to their purpose. People will follow leaders who know how to lead them according to their agenda. Business people, physicians, educators, politicians and parents should be leaders. No matter what their occupations more and more men and women are taking leadership seriously to dramatically impact the world and extend their leadership.
The facts mentioned above form part of what is required for leadership to bring about national development progressively.
(Reverend Jan A Scholtz is the former chairperson of //Kharas Regional Council and former councillor, a holder of a Diploma in Theology, B-Theo (SA), a Diploma in Youth Work and Development from the University of Zambia (UNZA),
Diploma in Education III (KOK) BA
(HED) from UNISA