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