My view on leadership @ 16.5.2014
Just like to share some of my thoughts on leadership and organisation.
Let me confess upfront: I don’t know much about these two difficult subjects.
Just my two cents.
- Leaders should never think or say that they have done or sacrificed a lot for the organisation. It is their choice to be in leadership position and thus is expected of them. It is for the other members to remind yet others of their hard work and sacrifice.
- When leaders demand trust from members - trust their judgment, integrity and wisdom, it may be the beginning of trouble. They stop to reason or rationalise with members on issues. They want blind followers.
- The other way of looking at it is this. When they ask members to trust them, implied message is that “we don't trust you. Therefore we don't want to share too much information with you. We doubt your intellectual capacity to comprehend or you may share the information with third parties.” Members may submit to the demand, not out of respect, but out of fear, fear of being reprimanded in the open. Fear of leaders throwing tantrum.
- While we may trust our leaders, we also want transparency and accountability. We also want our “right to know” to be respected.
- Dissent within an organisation is healthy and to be encouraged. Leaders should respect dissenting views and use their power of persuasion to get the minority to see their point and get their support. Someone once said, “When two persons always agree, one is unnecessary.”
- Constitution is the supreme law of any organisation and is to be followed strictly. Of course it may be amended but until this is done, the provisions are the law governing the organisation. Executive may have power to interpret but they cannot choose not to follow.
- Do the right things right. Seek to do what is right, not what is convenient.
