Leadership

One of my favorite management topic is in the area leadership. Leaders and managers- the words are often used interchangeably, but they are different. Those in management positions do not always possess the qualities and skills of a leader. On the other hand, leadership is just one of the many skills that a manager must possess

In fact I always tell my staff that I don't believe in managing people but I believe in leading people. People are well trained to manage themselves and what they need is guidance and direction. This is where a leadership come into action. In my personal opinion, leadership takes precedence than any other management skills.

The word "leadership" comes from the Old English word "lad" for a "course". A "lode" is a vein that leads or guides to ore; a lodestone is a magnetic stone that guides; the lode-star is the name for the star that guides sailors, the Pole star. The word "management" comes from the Latin word "manus", the hand, from which we also get "maintenance" and "mainstay". Leadership guides by setting a ship's course. Management keeps a hand on the tiller.

John Adair in his book "Leadership" compares management and leadership to the old dichotomy of Art and Science. Managers are of the mind, accurate, calculated, routine, statistical, methodical. Management is a science. Leaders are of the spirit, compounded of personality and vision. Leadership is an art. Managers are necessary; leaders are essential.

Jim Clemmer, one of the leading leadership guru, view of leadership states "A leader doesn’t just react and respond, but rather takes the initiative and generates action. A leader doesn’t say “something should be done”, but ensures something is done. An effective leader is a “people person”. Effective leaders connect, stay in contact with, and are highly visible to everyone on their team in their organization. Leaders have developed the skills of supercharging logic, data, and analysis with emotion, pride, and the will to win. Their passion and enthusiasm for the team or organization’s vision and purpose is highly contagious. They fire the imaginations, develop the capabilities, and build the confidence of people to “go for it”. Leaders help people believe the impossible is possible, which makes it highly probable."

In his book, "Being Leaders: The Nature of Authentic Christian Leadership", Audrey Malphurs defined Genuine Christian leaders are “servants with the credibility and capabilities to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction.” Working from that definition, Malphurs concludes that authentic Christian leadership is the “process whereby servants use their credibility and capability to influence people in a particular context to pursue their God-given direction.” Maphurs, a professor at Dallas Theological Seminary further stressed that good leaders influence people, but in a Christian context, that influence should always lead toward transformation - a change in thinking leading to a change in behavior. Effective influence, in a Christian context demands that the leader be a transformed person also.

This leads to a new term in the Christian context of leadership called "Servant-heart Leadership". Servant-heart leadership is a humble service of others based on our love for them. It is not passively ignoring one’s own legitimate needs; it is not wallowing in one’s own weakness, doing for others what they ought to do for themselves.

I pray that the Lord will give us a heart of a servant-heart leader when we serve Jesus Christ, our Master.

"You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:42-45)


Be Blessed.

Giving your very best

Jacques Barzun, an eminent French-born American scholar and educator once said “In teaching you cannot see the fruit of a day's work. It is invisible and remains so, maybe for twenty years”. There is so much truth in his statement and I am a living example of it.

There are many great teachers in St. Thomas Secondary School, Kuantan (class of 1987-1991) who has mold me into someone today. Names like Mr. Moore, Mr. Tan, Mrs. Khoo, Mrs. Lim and others are still fresh in my mind.

Today, my article is about one of them who have played a pivotal role in my last two years in St. Thomas. She is a teacher who has impacted a lot in my life simply by her humbleness and desire to give her very best to her students. Madam Chee Poh Kiem (I am so used to address her as Ms. Chee) was our English and Geography teacher at St. Thomas. She is always prepared and ready to answer our questions. As a student, it is easy to know whether a teacher is prepared or not prepared simply by observing the subject delivery.

One subject that I struggle to appreciate was Geography. It was simply because I am not able to visualize some of the terms used like frost when we were studying on North America. Living in a tropical country, many of us are not able to understand except for some of the boys who have been to overseas. At that time, our family had very limited means even to appreciate things outside of our town. Kuantan was my world. Add to that agony, we don’t even have a TV set at home to watch any documentary. But Ms. Chee will go the extra mile to prepare additional notes and teaching material to give us a clearer picture. She was my living National Geography channel. I learn about the world through her teaching. When my SPM result comes out, I was so thankful to God and Ms. Chee for helping me to obtain a strong credit for Geography.

Ms. Chee is a faithful believer of the Almighty God. She lived a Christ like lifestyle in school. Trust me, it is not easy to be a teacher in all-boys school. She ensured the needs of her students are met and giving her best in the profession the Lord has placed her in.

I am so blessed to read an article about her on The Star published on 27 May 2007 in conjunction with the Teacher’s Day Celebration. In the article, she said that it is her calling to be a teacher. How true it is. Some of us are called into the market place ministry where we serve God as teachers, engineers, doctors, adjusters, bankers and the list goes on.

I was searching for her contacts for a long time till last month when I met someone who had her mobile phone number. It was a joy to be in contact with her again.

Ms. Chee, thank you so much for investing in my life. I truly believe God has brought you to St. Thomas for many purpose but one of it is to mold me especially on how to give my very best in whatever thing I do.

Ephesians 1:16 - I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Penang

This morning I had the privilege of attending a special convocation ceremony to honour Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam with a Honorary Doctorate of Science by USM. I was looking forward for this day especially hearing the address by Dr. Abdul Kalam.

For those who do not know who is Dr. Abdul Kalam, here is some background of him. Dr. Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of the Republic of India and one of the most distinguished scientists of India with the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from 34 universities and institutions. He has made a significant contribution to develop India’s first indigenous satellite launch vehicle SLV-III. He was also responsible for the evolution of ISRO’s launch vehicle programme After mastering launch vehicle technologies in ISRO, he took up the responsibility of developing Indigenous Guided Missiles at Defense Research and Development Organisation. To know more about Dr. Abdul Kalam, visit his website at http://www.abdulkalam.com/

This morning, he gave a lecture on a topic called "Evolution of Enlightened Citizenship". It was really good lecture...in fact the best lecture I ever went for. His lecture covers lot of areas such as Social Science, Biotechnology, Medical Science, Humanity and even religion. I was amazed with the depth of knowledge and the authority that this man has in the subject that he was delivering.

On a sad note, there was a group of faculty heads who was sitting on the stage busy chatting away and playing with their mobile phone. I am surprised with this kind of unprofessional behaviour show by the head of the faculties (or whoever they are) who are sitting on the stage. I wonder what kind of respect this so called "leaders" or "educators" are giving to such a great man like Dr. Abdul Kalam. Well, in a nutshell, this clearly shows the kind of materials that we have in our nation. Oh well, if they can't even stand properly while singing the national anthem, what else can we expect from them especially in developing the future generation. Anyway, this doesn't mean that because there are few bad apples, the whole basket of apples is bad. I know there are great professors and lecturers in USM who are passionate in what they are doing.

On a positive note, credit goes to the Pro Chancellor, Chairman of Council, Vice Chancellor and some head of department who, in my observation, giving close attention to the speech delivered by Dr. Abdul Kalam. The end note speech given by our Pro Chancellor and Vice Chancellor was excellent and with substance too.

I am also sad that there is no standing ovation given to Dr. Abdul Kalam after the great speech delivered by him. I wonder whether this is a standard protocol of USM of not giving a standing ovation for a great lecture by a great man. Who am I to question the protocol?

Whatever it is, I want to thank USM for allowing the public to view this memorable occasion. Hope that the comment above would be taken on a positive note and improvement would be done in future.

To Dr. Abdul Kalam, you have inspired me today and I am so blessed with the lecture that you have delivered. Thank you so much for spending time with us. God Bless You.