BACKGROUND
Have you
ever found yourself in places where those chosen to lead are not as competent,
qualified and the most painful of all knowledgeable enough? There are times
when you watch mediocrity being celebrated and you know you can change
something but every one of your well intended, perceived show stopping
suggestions are shoved off without consideration.
If you have
been in any of the scenarios above then you need to read this to the end.
I have ever
been in a scenario where I was sure the leader was missing it, I called for
many a meeting with him and other leaders and nothing seemed to change until
that whole thing we were doing collapsed, I wish I could celebrate in their
face like ‘see, I told you’ but it was such a painful occurrence, something I
spent time and energy building collapsed because there were people in
leadership positions who never understood responsibility and trust me if such people
are not willing to learn it is just a matter of time and whatever they are
leading will die a natural death.
It has been
proven time and again that change is something that never comes easy. This blog
is not meant to raise swashbucklers; some situations are detrimental to success
and should not be left unattended.
We are all faced with such circumstances where someone who is supposed to take us somewhere seems to be very myopic or blank to say the least.
There are a
couple of things that we need to see.
You
are right; the people are not worth the salt and;
·
They
can change
·
Bear
with them forever
I
You
are wrong, move; It is not your place
I believe we
are born with talents, gifts, skills and abilities that are unique to us (of
course sometimes we are not necessarily born with them) and some that are not
easily seen as helpful at all you will need to convince people that you are of
help. I will give differing suggestions on how to deal with diverse situation
but I have a way I always use, this has to do with your personality. There are
those that are ‘the diehards never give up type’ and hence a little confrontational and
others are conservative and would always find a way to give an allowance to why
one is failing yet still others don’t care that much and leaving things the way they are
may not be uncommon to them but how I loathe such people!! I think indifferent
people rank the highest in the class of naive persons, men you gotta have a
stand, nowhere have things moved in the right direction with a namby-pamby
approach.
Change where
necessary must happen, this will always require a radical stance. Changing
things is not for the faint hearted, there is always collateral damage and
hence you need to calculate the costs.
DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT TO TAKE THE RISK
Let me
explain this first Mathematically: This ratio is calculated by dividing the
amount you stand to lose if the price moves in the unexpected direction (i.e.
the risk) by the amount of profit the trader expects to have made when the
position is closed (i.e. the reward).
Our Lord Jesus said “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth
not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have [sufficient] to finish
[it?”
All I want to show you is that change is
no small issue, dudes find themselves bringing a knife to a gun fight, be ready
for it, calculate what you may lose if it doesn’t go your way and after being
very sure with the cons and pros you can decide whether to do what I am about
to talk about in the next few paragraphs or not.
THE
LEADER/FOLLOWER PROBLEM
Those in positions will most of the
times think they got it, followers may see a lot of flaws because they may not
understand the process; they see a decision that has been made. From a
follower’s point of view the leader doesn’t see much, the vantage point of a
leader is a little handicapped if he has no idea how his followers perceive the
things he is doing.
LEADERSHIP
– HOW I LOOK AT IT
I
believe the strength of a leader is in how he manages to influence his
followers and as such how long he stays at the helm has nothing to do with
success if he can’t point out how he has taken people/things from one place/or
understanding to a better one. This is my summary of leadership and having said
that please allow me to also say ‘therefore I haven’t met many leaders around
here’, I only see people who have been chosen to hold a position.
In my interactions with several people who happened to be leaders in their
respective jurisdictions I have asked if they have the year's plan, or one for two years, 5...... trust me none have produced one. I imagine myself being led by such; I know where I
am going, how am getting there and what I will need, and should I be submitting
to them? Yeah life happens.
Something very funny is common in almost
every leader who never delivers; there is this obsession to be in front of people
not to do anything worth commenting about but talking. And am like ‘dude only if you put the energy you
put in talking to something like doing
there could be movement here’. Dexterity is such a rare quality nowadays.
TAKE
THE RISK
If you are like me you will always take the risk, I believe
it is more risky not to take risks so you know my stance, and by the way it
works, yeah it does. If am not moving out of a place I will be there and do all
I can to better it. I am not talking rebellion here am talking using accepted
ways with a radical mind to effect positive change.
From a Spiritual point of view with
reference to many bible portions; I can comfortably conclude that God blessed
us differently deliberately; if you have something you must put it to good use
even the Lord will ask you to give an account for it. Your insights may be the
missing piece to the puzzle. I think it is more painful to know what should be
done and do nothing and watch the same things done the same way forever than
approaching those charged with governance and ‘try your luck’, yes it is that
bad. I haven’t met many leaders who give ear to differing opinions; it is
always their way or no way.
LAST WORDS
should use personal ism to the
advantage of progress; true allegiance is wishing the best for your
acquaintance. You lose nothing asking for a meeting with your leaders and give them
your piece, you will not be deemed ‘courageous enough’ if you know where things
are going wrong and doing nothing about it, you will become someone who talks
about leaders and whether what you say is very helpful or not but if it is
behind their back you are murmuring and grumbling.
Next time you see me locked up in a
meeting with a leader just know........
