Leadership

LEADERSHIP WHAT IS LEADERSHIP Leadership may be defined as the ability to motivate people to work towards a common goal. Thus, as a leader, you should : 1. Motivate, rather than demand, people to follow your lead. 2. Induce commitment and responsibility in your people. 3. Focus on your goal when you lead. STYLES OF LEADERSHIP Autocratic The leader makes a decision and expects the members to comply with it. Eg. “There must be no movement after lights out.” Democratic The leader makes a decision after listening to the members’ suggestions. Eg. “After listening to the different opinions, my decision is…” Laissez-faire The leader gives the information and lets the members make the decision. Eg. “These are the options, now you will make the choice.”

Autocratic

Democratic

Laissez-faire

Question : Which leadership style is the best? Answer : None. You should use the style that is most suitable. ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF A LEADER

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Leadership

Discipline A leader will not surrender to any conflicting desire and will stick to the right things to do. Before you can conquer the world, you must conquer yourself. Without discipline, other leadership qualities cannot grow. Servanthood A leader serves his people willingly and sees it as his duty. Jesus, after washing his disciples’ feet, said to them, “If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14) Wisdom A leader leads his people to do the right thing. Can one who influences his Boys to skip parade be considered a leader? Wisdom comes from God through reading the bible. E.g. The Book of Proverbs. Humility A leader willingly follows when another person is appointed to lead. A good leader is also a good follower. Integrity A leader is open and honest. He is upright in character, loyal in service, and honest in speech. Your true character is what you are when nobody watches you. Patience Will you run so far ahead that no one is able to catch up? A leader is not so strong that he cannot understand the weaknesses of his followers. Friendship You can measure a leader by the number and quality of his friends. Jesus led His followers by friendship and love. To Him, Simon Peter confessed, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you" (John 21:17). Executive Ability Beside motivating others, a leader must know how to reach the goal. Vision alone is not enough, you must design the plans and execute them.

DANGERS OF LEADERSHIP

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Leadership

Pride When a person rises in position, the tendency to pride also increases. If not checked, the attitude will disqualify him from further leadership. "The Lord detests all the proud of heart" (Proverbs 16:5). Three tests help us to identify the problem: •

How do you react when another person is selected for the position you expected to have? When another person is more talented than you?

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How do you react when others identify the weaknesses and problems in you? Will you deny them?

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Does criticism lead to immediate displeasure and self-justification? Do you rush to criticize the critic?

Egotism Although a leader should be confident in his leadership. He should never magnify his achievement to glorify himself. Jealousy Are you jealous when others are more talented than you? Are you bitter when others seem more popular than you? Popularity Which leader does not desire to be liked by his people? There is no fault in receiving encouragement, but the leader must refuse to be idolized. Infallibility Even the greatest leader made mistakes that required correction. People will lose confidence in a leader who believes himself to be perfect. CAN YOU BE A LEADER If you look carefully, you may detect some leadership potential in you : • •

Have you ever broken a bad habit? To lead others, you must first discipline yourself. Do you keep self-control when things go wrong? The leader who loses self-control forfeits respect and influence.

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Leadership

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Can you exert discipline without making a power play? True leadership is an internal quality and needs no show of external force.

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Are you a peacemaker? A leader must be able to make peace with opponents especially in a heated argument.

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Can you accept opposition to your view point or decision without taking offense? Leaders always face opposition.

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Are you tactful? Can you anticipate how your words will affect a person?

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Is your will strong and steady? Leaders cannot drift with the wind.

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Can you forgive? Or do you nurse bitterness and harbor ill feelings toward those who have injured you?

CONCLUSION Although motivation techniques or communication skills are helpful, these alone will not make you a leader. A leader earns his respect because of his integrity and sound character. Leadership can be learnt and we can begin with “leadership by example”. It takes much effort to be a good leader but many will eventually benefit from it. QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION 1. Think of an officer or a NCO whom you respect. What is in him that makes you feel so? 2. Our Lord Jesus is an example of a great leader. What are the qualities He have? Does His example change your definition of a good leader? 3. What will happen if there is no good leadership in your company? 4. “Company discipline is only observed during BB hours.” Do you accept such a statement from a NCO? Why? 5. A leader needs to sacrifice his time and energy for others, do you think it is worth it? Will you do it?

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