When you live in grave danger of life’s circumstances,it gives you perspective. For admiral Richard Byrd it was the thought of losing his family and not being able to take care of them that gave him the will to live when death stared right in his face for weeks. He said something profound as he wrote in his journal; “The family is an everlasting anchorage,…..at the end, only two things will matter to a man, regardless of who he is; and they are the affection and understanding of his family”.(Richard Byrd)
The primary leadership lesson learned here is the
unparalleled role of family in any busy leaders life. Any leader oughts to put
family first. The primary motivation for leadership beyond the perks they receive
is the ability to go back to a healthy family.
I have been married to my university sweetheart for
10 months 6 months and 10 days as I pen this. We have 4 children together. My
family means everything to me and it is the reason I wake up every morning. My family
gives me the motivation to serve and lead at my church. The joy I find to serve
is really brought about by the encouragement I receive from my family. I serve
with my wife alongside me and she is the wisest advisor and without her, my
leadership would be grossly deficient.
References
Richard. E. Byrd, as recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 248-250.
Published by Simon & Schuster NY
The excellent work in the field of medicine and science and the honorable virtue espoused by Hippocrates has span over 2 millennia. It is his integrity of profession that led to the establishment of the Hippocratic oath that all medical practitioners pay allegiance to as they get ready for the practice of medicine. The underlying principle of the work of Hippocrates is uprightness and integrity. Those that swear by the oath swear to lead their lives and practice their art in uprightness and honor (Hippocrates)
The core leadership lesson I learn from the life and
work of Hippocrates is integrity. Without Integrity of heart and practice, a
leader is exposed to extreme compromise in their leadership and it ends up
hurting the people around the leader as well as the organization eh leader
serves. Integrity is maintaining a sense of uprightness, justice and fairness
in leading even when the odds are stacked up against you.
Integrity is one of the most potent tools in my life
and in my leadership. I cannot function as a Pastor and shepherd to people is I
lack in integrity. I constantly strive towards maintaining and growing a life
of integrity by keeping myself accountable with some men. 3 men have walked an
accountability journey with me to help keep my integrity in check as I grow in
leadership and for the last 8 years, I have submitted myself to these men for
counsel, challenge and sometime rebuke because they are fully invested in helping
me walk and lead in integrity.
References
Hippocrates, as
recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 180-181.
Published by Simon & Schuster NY
In the movie Invictus, I watched Nelson Mandela turn the heart of Francois Pienaar , the captain of the Springbok, South Africa’s national rugby team that was discouraged with no hope of playing the rugby world cup finals, let alone winning them. In one of the most powerful scenes, Mandela played by Morgan Freeman invites Francois, played by Matt Damon for tea. He strikes a conversation that perhaps was the single most important conversation that turned the rugby team from a failing weak team to winning the 1995 world cup. Mandela infuses a huge doze of courage as he tells Francois that when things got really bad for him as a prisoner on Robben Island, he drew courage from a Victorian Poem, Invictus, by William Ernest Henley. As he ended that powerful scene, Mandela tells Francois; “We need inspiration Francois, because in order to build our nation, we must all exceed our own expectations.”( The movie Invictus).
Courage is one of the most potent tools in a
leader’s tool box without which it is practically impossible to lead
effectively. The profound lesson William Ernest Henley teaches me a leader is
having the courage to face the most dire of situations. It is part of
leadership to steer the ship of an organization or a church in stormy waters
sometime, it is tough and many a time scary but it is necessary. Courage is needed
when the tide is against the leader and often times in the midst of fear.
The impact the tough life and writings of William
Ernest Henley is profound as it has helped find strength in the moments I have
had to courageously challenge the status quo of tradition in my church even as
I have led the youth ministry. It has taken courage to confront my leaders on
new ways of looking at ministry to young people in Rwanda. It has taken courage
for me to try out unexplored territories by starting new programs out of the
norm in order to serve the youth effectively. It hasn’t been without its
resistance and sometimes ridicule from some but it has borne fruit later to the
appraisal of those who once were against it. It is said that, courage is not
the absence of fear but the mastery of it.(Mark Twain)
References
‘Invictus’, Nelson Mandela
and Francois Pienaar scene from the movie Invictus.
Mark Twain quotation.
William Ernest Henley, as recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 85-87.
Published by Simon & Schuster NY
The writing of the great philosopher Seneca on contentment as a vehicle through which happiness is derived is such a deep and captivating piece. His conviction is that; ” A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it will be”(L.A.Seneca). He was also intrigued by the similarity in his statement and claim from his reading of Aesop’s writing, who wrote a similar statement on contentment which stated; “ Be content in your lot; One cannot be first in everything.”(Aesop). As a leader, the issue of contentment in achieving happiness cannot be over stated.
Unless a leader is content, they will drive the people they lead to the wall trying to milk more than they require from them which will affect the bottom line upward but will leave the followers, dry, used and demoralized. Contentment therefore is important for leaders to have as a virtue because that will cause them to treat their followers well without expecting more out of them than they are required. A leader of great wisdom called Paul the apostle was writing to his protégé and he admonished him as a younger leader that godliness and contentment is great gain.(1 Timothy 6:6).
I serve in a context of church where I and other leaders have been given stewardship of over 1500 people. Many of them esteem the office we hold so much so they feel the need to ‘take care’ of us by wanting to lavish us with gifts as their pastors. However because we are remunerated as Pastors, we are required to be content and not use our positions to receive gifts and favors beyond which we are paid for. So understanding contentment in my leadership context is of absolute importance to me because it teaches me restraint and applying the right boundaries as a leader because contentment is an invaluable ingredient of Integrity in leadership.
References.
Aesop, as recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 8-9. Published by Simon & Schuster NY
Holy Bible. 1 Timothy 6:6
L. A. Seseca, as recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 8-9. Published by Simon & Schuster NY
I have developed a Video of my leadership story that I have Titled; My Leadership Journey. A story of Loss, LEarning and Leading. It is a youtube video and below is the link.
Thank you.
As I pen this, It has been 76 years, 3 months and 5 days since Wendell Willkie began his voyage around the world. The seven weeks journey led to a discovery for Wendell and eventually the world that indeed we live in one world and with effort and stride, we could make the seemingly huge diverse world become smaller and more united. Wendell’s finding could not have been any truer today. He saw this possibility and it has become a reality with laser sharp precision. The world has united and is connected through technology and in real time, it is possible to reach anyone in the world and talk to them while seeing them on a screen.
Wendell’s accurate prediction of the future teaches me the profound lessons of Vision. The ability to see through current circumstance and have the hope for a better future. Wendell was travelling a world devastated by war and in there saw a vision of a peaceful world. He imagined a united world free of war and riddled with peace and harmony. Another leadership lesson this reading tells is Faith and Hope. When going through a desperate situation, it is very easy to despair. But it takes a resolve and an unremitting faith and hope as a leader that thing will get better. Wendell traversed a war stricken world but his faith and hope in a free world was so captivating. He had faith and hope for a world where men and women the world around can live and grow invigorated by independence and peace. (Wendell Willkie 1942.)
Wendell’s one world story has a deep personal relevance for my life and my practice a a leaders to young creative imaginative youth who carry a strong belief that they have what it takes to become world changers. As youth Pastor, I am charged to dream and lead the youth of Rwanda to dream of a future more connected, a world more united, a global village more accessible to global citizens with no barriers to entry. I believe in one world where the youth that I lead will have a place and where they will earn a seat at the global table and a world where they will be contributors to the global challenges facing our day. That is the inspiration Wendell Willkie has given me. To lead the youth in my care with Faith and Hope for a brighter future for them.
References.
Wendell Willkie 1942, as recited in Light from Many Lamps by Lillian Eichler Watson Pg 297-299. Published by Simon & Schuster NY
Foundations of leadership has been an eye opening and amazing learning curve for me. Two course learning I have gleaned in this ten week journey are;
I learnt about the value of Ethical leadership in moving an organization or an entity to a place of achievement and success. We live in a word where ethical leadership is increasingly missing. This is prevalent in my Ethical leadership is an invaluable trait for any leader to possess if they’re to create posterity for the organizations. The principles of leadership which are Respect for others, Building community, Honesty, Showing Justice and serving others as articulated by Northouse 2016, have helped me be more aware as a leader in my church that Ethical leadership is a non-negotiable.
The other learning for me has been the understanding of the importance of women in leadership. I serve a traditionally patriarchal environment in church and my biases and ignorance of the competence and amazing abilities of women to lead with equal if not better ability than their male counterparts. My interview of a woman CEO in Rwanda in response to this assignment helped me see the gifting women have in leadership. I’ve already noted a lady who is likely to succeed me as the next pastor to the youth.
“Everything Rises and Falls on Leadership”- John Maxwell. This quote is not simplistic, it carries the vital essence, weight and value that Leadership carries.
References
John Maxwell.
Northouse, P. (2016). Leadership: Theory and practice (7th ed). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications
The advent of artificial intelligence and the acceleration of technology has swept the globe like a firestorm in the last 20 years. It has obviously affected the way businesses and organizations are being operated due to the increased adaptation to technology by many consumers.
The simple and analog driven operations of the United States postal services were grossly affected by the internet driven tech revolution and the surge in online communication.
The United States Postal Services have worked hard and innovated effectively in order to stay relevant in this fast paced world.
“Technology and changing consumer expectations are helping to transform mail into an even more powerful communications channel….”
“…Even with the emergence of cable television, social media and smartphones, marketing mail has remained constant because of the tremendous value it delivers to consumers who receive it and its ability to drive an exceptional return on investment for the businesses who send it,” (Postmaster General and CEO Patrick R. Donahoe)
However it is a fact that due to a huge acculturated people to new technology, mailing business has gone down significantly since the increase in email and now social media communication channels.
“Fewer people write letters, send bills or even pay bills via physical mail. We don’t much care that a physical letter can transit the continent overnight, because we usually want to communicate immediately.” (Adam Hartung 2011)
Retail big box stores like Walmart have innovated and created an effective shopping experience by jumping onto the online platform to service the online shoppers but it still trails against the global online shopping giant Amazon, because consumer culture naturally perceives Amazon as the go to site when it comes to ordering products online.
Some of the positive changes of the shift from traditional to new ways of doing business and communications are;
Speed and efficiency. It much easier to get information across fast and efficiently through the internet and social media platforms from user to user. It happens in real time. This has enabled for more work to be done faster and more efficiently.
Convenience. Shopping and business has never been more convenient than it is today. One can virtually access products and services without leaving their home and it will be delivered in matter of hours to days. This consumer experience has increased businesses and has changed the global trends faster than before because people can conveniently access goods and services.
Variety. Because of technology, people are able to access different varieties of products and services enabling them to choose from an array of options. Also because of the variety, it has forced businesses to produce quality products and also be priced competitively in order to stay in business.
Quality assurance. It is becoming increasingly difficult to produce less quality products because of the consumers’ ability to rate, give and receive reviews from other consumers regarding most products. People shop emotively based on previous customer biases regarding the usability or quality of the products they have bought.
Some of the negative consequences of these changes are;
Loss of jobs. One of the things technology has done in our world is to erode the need for human capital. Though this has increased the bottom line for businesses, it has also increased unemployment in our world. And the more people cannot access jobs to fund their livelihood, the more the ills of society like robbery, illicit criminal behavior like selling illegal drugs.
Entitled humanity. Because of the need to please the customer at all times because of the fear of receiving bad customer reviews, many companies have created a selfish and entitled consumer. And because the consumer never has to meet with the retailer of manufacturer, humanity has lost the ability to understand and empathize regarding certain situations because of entitlement.
Less human connection. People no longer meet and enjoy the benefits of personal human connection as much as it used to because of technology. People can virtually get things done and delivered to them with minimal human interaction and the lack of human connection erodes relationships and creates an unhealthy disconnect of people from others.
As a leader, I don’t know if I would have done much differently because of the general shift in global trends and that being a driver for business and organizational survival but I would ensure that as much as it is in my power, people I’m responsible for never stopped connecting on a human level.
References
Adam Hartung 2011. Article on why Postal Service is going down. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/adamhartung/2011/12/06/why-the-postal-service-is-going-out-of-business/#460cf5d4317b
Patrick R. Donahoe. 2013. Postmaster General of the US Postal Services Speaking at the annual gathering of mailing industry leaders. Retrieved from http://about.usps.com/news/national-releases/2013/pr13_036.htm
CHRISTINE BAYINGANA, CEO URWEGO BANK RWANDA;
A formidable and phenomenal Servant Leader.
I interviewed this phenomenal leader by the names Christine Bayingana. Christine works with Hope international and serves at the Chief Executive Officer of Urwego Bank Rwanda that is a subsidiary of Hope international. She holds a master’s in public administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government; a bachelor’s of business administration from Newport University, U.K.; and a diploma as an associate of business executives from Cavendish College, London. Christine’s professional background includes over 20 years of experience in financial services, corporate management, and development work.
This were Christine’s responses to my interview.
Three greatest challenges she has faced in leadership are:
1. Finding appropriate mentors – it could be special
For this part of the world only, finding a mentor or coach, someone that has walked the C-level journey, has been successful, raised children, is not obvious. I find it a challenge as there are seasons in leadership that a fellow woman who has been there can understand, they are simply either not there or did not have to combine raising a family and lead a corporation at the same time
2. Forging alliances with decision makers. I find that as a woman, any effort to building alliances can easily be misunderstood or can be used against you to create unhealthy relationships
3. Dealing with the need to be tough! Being soft spoken can be interpreted as being soft, consequently, one finds that you need to reiterate what your stand is a few more times, and the alternative is raising one’s voice, which is not necessarily expected from a man!
Below is what Christine does to help her deal with these challenges.
1. Have turned to God’s word for counsel
2. Have reached out to CEOs in the United States and now she belongs to 4Word, a Christian organization that creates mentoring relationship. In August she had a C-Level conference in DC for Christian CEOs and it’s changing her life even if it’s done remotely.
3. She is hoping to start a mentoring program for the younger leaders which will be a huge learning opportunity for me as well.
Christine’s encouragement for women in leadership is.
1. let’s find each other and forge a bond!
2. let’s not be forced to be different just so we can lead! That is to be different from who we are in order to lead.
I work with a number of women at the church where I serve, almost 50% of the team is made up of women. I’m however sad to say that not 50% are included in leadership. Only about 30%. The importance of the inclusion and recognition of women in the work place is an imperative and not an option.
As a leader I will foster recognition and a sense of belonging for women in the work place in the following ways;
Affirm and reward excellent work done. I will be quick to recognize, affirm and reward excellent work done by the team. This will motivate the women on the team to feel included and equally recognized for their efforts.
2.Punish and reprimand behavior that seeks to exclude and marginalize women. Men are usually predisposed to be more demeaning and less respectful to their female colleagues. I will make sure that I make it explicitly clear that we will treat everybody and especially the ladies on the team with utmost respect and not any stereotypical fashion. And those that fail to adhere to this instruction will be reprimanded and sometimes punished. It is important for people to know that this is a serious matter and they should carry it with the weight it deserves.
Create an environment of belonging. Most work environments favor men. For example most work places don’t have facilities to help young mothers on the team be able to work as they take care of their babies at work. I would create for a case like this some kind of nursery to help breast feeding moms to be able to catch up with their kids during breaks at work. I will foster an environment where women feel like they belong to the family, because they actually do belong.
The challenge of Lisa Weber is a challenge many women face in leadership. So why women are underrepresented in elite leadership roles? And are men more effective leaders than women?
We have lived in a patriarchal society for so long that has naturally pushed leadership and chauvinism towards men. It has been systemically embedded that we have become acculturated to a predisposition of men being at a much higher vantage point in assuming leadership than women no matter the level of competence, performance or experience that women bring to the table. As was stated by (Day & Stogdill, 1972; Deaux, 1976; Dimarco & Witsitt, 1975; Kaley. 1971 as cited in the unit 8 notes) that women were inferior to men and lacked skills and traits necessary for managerial success. Now this research may have been premised on certain realities in the 70’s like fewer women being in the labor market than men but society has changed drastically.
Lisa’s level of competence and performance is not in question, in fact it is exemplary. She is one of the best that the firm has. But her being passed up for partner is a case of inherent bias towards men and one of unfair rigid leadership lenses society has constantly put on women’s inability to lead as ‘well’ as men.
So to answer the question, How can leaders level the playing field so that both women and men can have equal opportunities to make meaningful contributions in leadership?
Simple, we need to recognize that society is changing fast and the proof is in the pudding that the globalized world can no longer disenfranchise women from leadership because it has been proven as in the case of Lisa Weber, that women are smart, competent and perform as much and in many case better than men. Also women inherently possess a leadership style that is the demand for many followers. Women use a more participatory or democratic style than men (Eagly & Johnson (1990) as cited in the unit 8 notes.
Having recognized that women are equally capable of leading, leaders need to take action by allowing women to lead and promoting them based on merit and not their gender. We need to make a bold statement by taking action. The inaction of Michael, Lisa’s CEO even after she made concrete proof ridden cases that she was qualified to be made partner. His response being one that is patronizing, led a great resource in Lisa to leave the firm and create competition for them. I’m happy for Lisa that she discontinued this culture by leaving. I’m sure the firm she left learnt a lesson from this.
In conclusion, I strongly believe the narrative has to change. Leaders have to consider other up for leadership based on merit other than gender. When this begins to happen, we will have a more just organizational and societal space.
Reference.
LDRS 500 Unit 8 Notes.
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
According to Wang et al, transformational leadership has a number of implications for managers and they include among others;
The moderately positive meta-analytic relationships of transformational leadership with various performance criteria indicate that transformational leadership tends to be a robust predictor of desirable performance outcomes across situations. Therefore organizations need to intervene with programs that enhance their managers’ leadership style through training. (Bass,1997 as cited by Wang et al 2011)
Transformational leadership can also be predicted from some individual differences such as extraversion and emotional stability. (Bono & Judge, 2004 as cited by Wang et al 2011). So organizations should focus on selecting and promoting individuals on such traits for upper-level managerial positions as such individuals are more likely to become transformational leaders.
Organizations are also likely to derive the most value from transformational leadership in settings involving teamwork and collaboration among employees (Podsakoff, Ahearne, & MacKenzie, 1997 as cited by Wang et al 2011 ).
These implications teach me a very stern truth. Self-awareness and others awareness. Around me are followers who are gifted and solid in their pursuit to become better practitioners. I have learned to be aware of my own strengths and biases and use them appropriately to serve those under me. Also to notice those that serve with me and collaborate with them and also trust them with more responsibility and place them higher places of responsibility.
Northouse gives reference to the principles of Ethical leadership by stating that As Burns (1978) leaders should nurture followers in becoming aware of their own needs, values, and purposes, and assist followers in integrating these with the leader’s needs, values, and purposes.(Burns 1978 as cited by Northouse 2016)
The principles of ethical leadership are;
Respecting Others
It is our duty to treat others with respect. (Immanuel Kant as cited by Northouse 2016). Ethical leaders approach other people with a sense of their unconditional worth and valuable individual differences (Kitchener, 1984 as cited by Northouse 2016). Respect includes giving credence to others’ ideas and confirming them as human beings. At times, it may require that leaders defer to others. When a leader exhibits respect to followers, followers can feel competent about their work. In short, leaders who show respect treat others as worthy human beings. (Northouse 2016.)
I have not seen a human being who doesn’t desire to be respected. But many have come to believe the fad that respect is only given in hierarchies and those below don’t deserve as much as those above in the hierarchy and that is deceptive. Organizations that thrive are those where people across the board are treated with the same amount of respect on one solid premise, because they’re human beings.
Serving Others
The leader’s ethical responsibility to serve others .Ethical leaders have a responsibility to attend to others, be of service to them, and make decisions pertaining to them that are beneficial and not harmful to their welfare. In practicing the principle of service, ethical leaders must be willing to be follower centered, must place others’ interests foremost in their work, and must act in ways that will benefit others.(Northouse 2016, pg 343-344)
Service is perhaps the most ignored principle in leadership yet the most powerful. I have seen it work wonders when a leader has chosen to posture their hearts and hands towards serving those following them. It is easily reciprocated and it creates a healthy culture.
Justice
Ethical leaders are concerned about issues of fairness and justice. They make it a top priority to treat all of their followers in an equal manner. Justice demands that leaders place issues of fairness at the center of their decision making. As a rule, no one should receive special treatment or special consideration except when his or her particular situation demands it. (Rawls 1971 as cited by Northouse 2016) stated that a concern with issues of fairness is necessary for all people who are cooperating together to promote their common interests. It is similar to the ethic of reciprocity, otherwise known as the Golden Rule— “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
People want to be treated fairly and equitably. It is a principle not only of leadership but of life to give justice to all because they all deserve it. As a Christian, one of the most dear principles of God is justice. He detests injustice and gives an undue blessing to those who extend justice.
Honesty
To be a good leader, one must be honest. Being honest is not just about telling the truth. It has to do with being open with others and representing reality as fully and completely as possible. It is imperative that organizations recognize and acknowledge the necessity of honesty and reward honest behavior within the organization. (Dalla Costa as sighted by Northouse 2016).
Honesty will always be at the core of ethical leadership, without which it is difficult to administer and lead anything without truthfulness.
Building Community
A common goal requires that the leader and followers agree on the direction to be taken by the group. Leaders need to take into account their own and followers’ purposes while working toward goals that are suitable for both of them. Concern for the common good means that leaders cannot impose their will on others. They need to search for goals that are compatible with everyone. (Bass & Steidlmeier, 1999 as cited by Northouse) 2016). An ethical leader is concerned with the common good, in the broadest sense. (Northouse 2016).
As a leader, it is imperative to have the group at the fore and to know that it is in working together to achieve a common goal that is going to take the organization forward, so leaving a team member behind is no option.
References
Northouse, P. G. (2016). Leadership: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Wang, G., Oh, I. S., Courtright, S. H., & Colbert, A. E. (2011). Transformational leadership and performance across criteria and levels: A meta-analytic review of 25 years of research. Group & Organization Management, 36(2), 223-270. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1177/1059601111401017
Recent Artifacts
Please explore and provide feedback on my artifacts!
CHRISTINE BAYINGANA, CEO URWEGO BANK RWANDA;