Servant- Leadership begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The best test is: do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants...Robert Greenleaf
Why do people still complain about bad leadership and governance? How come they don’t see anything good in what the leadership is doing, is it that the leaders’ strategies are not working or could it possibly be that the people are insatiable? Don’t wonder too far, guess I have a clue. It does not always work when you try to put a square peg in a round hole.
For a better understanding of empathy in leadership lets take a look at how the dictionary defined empathy and leadership and what relationship exist between the two words. A formal definition of Empathy is the ability to identify and understand another’s situation, feelings and motives. It’s our capacity to recognize the concerns other people have. Empathy means: “putting yourself in the other person’s shoes” or “seeing things through someone else’s eyes”.
Leadership is about ascertaining a method for people to contribute so that it can result in a significant achievement. It is a process that enables a person to influence others to achieve a goal and directs an organization to become rational and consistent. Leaders carry out these processes by leveraging their leadership traits such as values, ethics and knowledge. Good leaders are not born. They are made. If a person has the willpower and the ability to learn, he can become a successful leader. A good leader engages in a continuous process of education, experience and training. He studies to improve his leadership skills and does not rest on past glory.
If empathy and leadership are symbiotic siblings how come they are not seen together in some aspects of leadership? A leader cannot be empathic if he has not experienced or learnt what the led go through. If empathy is feeling what the led feel and putting yourself in the other person’s shoes then we need to know how far this has gone in our democratic dispensation where people have the say about who should lead them.
Until we have leaders with empathy in places of authority, those who have felt the kind of pain people feel, who have been through the rugged road people are presently treading, who feels or have felt what people feel, attending to the follower’s needs and aspirations will be difficult.
Little wonder the system of government where a sojourner who has traveled for over decades to study abroad returns and suddenly shows interest in politics, and because he has a fine face and fantastic diction we all fall for him and elect him into a leadership position. How can he understand what is obtainable in the system, will such leader not find it unnecessary to visit the poor and resigned in our remotest villages.
The leaders who are making impact presently are those who have put ears to the ground and felt the pain and cry of the downtrodden. Why do you think the president of the United States of America, Barrack Obama got a land mark victory that took him to the white house? He was empathic, if you have read his best seller book, (Audacity of Hope) you would discover how much time and energy he spent traveling to rural, suburban and urban areas all in the bid to listen and know the yearnings of the people. Strategically it worked because he was able to address the core issues of the people of America that both great and small were looking for.
As a country, we seem to be suffering from empathy deficit because where we put our time, energy and money is the test of what we value. Barrack Obama said: “Unless political leaders are open to new ideas and not just packaging, we won’t change enough hearts and minds to initiate a serious energy policy or tame the deficit”.
We need to go back to the roots and learn about the people we lead. After all, listening is one of the skills a good leader must possess and communication has not taken place without feedback as it is a vital part of communication process.
Is it possible to have a program or platform which seeks to scrutinize prospective leaders on several grounds? Is it necessary to take time to find out background information about leaders before they are elected? Can their backgrounds and experience in life have a great influence on their system of leadership? I think that if we take time to consider the above before we elect a leader, we might be able to discover the suitability of a leader. It is necessary to tidy up these areas because if a man has not been successful in his private life and business, it’s not far from the truth to say that the possibility of his success in the public office is very slim.
Great servant-leaders nurtured empathy: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa certainly exemplify empathy in leadership.
Favour.
Published in Financial Standard, 13/08/09, page 11.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
KEEP ON KEEPING ON
Hello Friends,
The road to success, they say, is dotted with many tempting parking places. This simply means that as you strive to attain your goal in life, you will surely encounter obstacles and distractions that might hinder you from achieving your goal. These tempting parking spaces could be those seemingly insurmountable challenges, weariness –which could come as a result of having put so much time and energy into the project or whatever it is and nothing seems to be happening still, and what comes to mind is to park and let it go.
My dear, you’ve got to keep on keeping on. Even when you fail, it’s not over. Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, philosopher and poet, said: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail". You’ve got to rise up. The glory only shows up when you rise and not when you fail.
It is worthy of note here that challenges are what make us stronger, they test our character, and ability to persevere. Challenges are inevitable encounters on the way to success. The obstacles you may encounter are not stop signs but guidelines and you can make stepping stones out of those stumbling blocks.
One more thing, make your goal your focal point and not the obstacles and you will find strength to KEEP ON KEEPING ON despite all odds..
Keep on keeping on!
All the best.
Favour.
The road to success, they say, is dotted with many tempting parking places. This simply means that as you strive to attain your goal in life, you will surely encounter obstacles and distractions that might hinder you from achieving your goal. These tempting parking spaces could be those seemingly insurmountable challenges, weariness –which could come as a result of having put so much time and energy into the project or whatever it is and nothing seems to be happening still, and what comes to mind is to park and let it go.
My dear, you’ve got to keep on keeping on. Even when you fail, it’s not over. Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist, philosopher and poet, said: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail". You’ve got to rise up. The glory only shows up when you rise and not when you fail.
It is worthy of note here that challenges are what make us stronger, they test our character, and ability to persevere. Challenges are inevitable encounters on the way to success. The obstacles you may encounter are not stop signs but guidelines and you can make stepping stones out of those stumbling blocks.
One more thing, make your goal your focal point and not the obstacles and you will find strength to KEEP ON KEEPING ON despite all odds..
Keep on keeping on!
All the best.
Favour.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Letting go of the past
Hello,
One of the things that can stop you if you allow it to is not letting go of the past. Clinging to the past has stopped many from becoming what God has deigned them to be. He said “I know the thought that I think towards you, thought of good and not evil, to give you and expected future” what can be more motivating than this?
Letting go of the past can be difficult. The past is our history, it's what forms our opinions and our perceptions but history is exactly what it is. The past is over, done and dusted.
You can't go back and change anything so put the past behind you and move on. By all means take the lessons learned, the strength uncovered, the knowledge and experience but don't hold on to grudges, anger, guilt etc. What good will it do you? How will it help you to move forward and live your life?
If you're having difficulty in letting go of the past, ask yourself why? What is holding on to the past giving you? Are you using it as an emotional crutch, an excuse not to do something new?
Take the plunge. Changing your life takes courage but take it one step at a time. We're very good at imagining all the things that could go wrong, all the pitfalls, the dangers but when we go ahead and do it usually we find there was nothing to worry about after all. We let our fears get in the way when actually we don't have any evidence that anything bad will happen if we take a step forward.
So start living your life to the full, enjoy every minute. As far as we know, you only get one chance at life so why waste it brooding on what has happened when you could be living it and making new memories.
As much as you can, put the past where it belongs-past and move on, greater things lie ahead.
One of the things that can stop you if you allow it to is not letting go of the past. Clinging to the past has stopped many from becoming what God has deigned them to be. He said “I know the thought that I think towards you, thought of good and not evil, to give you and expected future” what can be more motivating than this?
Letting go of the past can be difficult. The past is our history, it's what forms our opinions and our perceptions but history is exactly what it is. The past is over, done and dusted.
You can't go back and change anything so put the past behind you and move on. By all means take the lessons learned, the strength uncovered, the knowledge and experience but don't hold on to grudges, anger, guilt etc. What good will it do you? How will it help you to move forward and live your life?
If you're having difficulty in letting go of the past, ask yourself why? What is holding on to the past giving you? Are you using it as an emotional crutch, an excuse not to do something new?
Take the plunge. Changing your life takes courage but take it one step at a time. We're very good at imagining all the things that could go wrong, all the pitfalls, the dangers but when we go ahead and do it usually we find there was nothing to worry about after all. We let our fears get in the way when actually we don't have any evidence that anything bad will happen if we take a step forward.
So start living your life to the full, enjoy every minute. As far as we know, you only get one chance at life so why waste it brooding on what has happened when you could be living it and making new memories.
As much as you can, put the past where it belongs-past and move on, greater things lie ahead.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Got An Excuse?
Hi,
Been a long time, hope you are making impact and touching a life? Good to know! I guess you would be asking me " How did you know?". Never mind, whether you admit it or not you are making an impact. But what i would love to have clarifications on is whether it is positive, life-changing or not, hoping you provide the answer...
Enough of those preambles, i want to share something on the above subject with you;"Got an Excuse" We have seen people who blame environment, government, parents, poverty etc on why they are not successful, hope you agree with me?
According to Francois De La Rochefoucauld, a noted French author of maxims and memoirs, “Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will; we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible”
It is funny how people blame their circumstances for their failure in life, but the fact remains that you have no excuse not to become a success in life.
Did you know that Richard Branson, the famous English industrialist, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. Whose first successful business venture was at age 16, when he published a magazine called Student, is without a college degree? Yes, he doesn’t have a college degree. I am very sure you are also aware that the founder of Microsoft, Bill gate, is a Harvard drop-out.
He Attended University of Texas, Austin; but did not finish. I am talking about Michael Dell, the founder of famous Dell computer, one of my favourite quotes from him is “When I started our company, it was very much an idea outside of the conventional wisdom, and if there were people telling me that it wasn't going to work, I wasn't really listening to them”.
Evidence of the fact that the past need not dictate the future can be found in the life stories of many great achievers. Think of the wealthy businessmen, leading sportsmen, great scientists, movie icons, super models and entrepreneurs in all walks of life. Did they all achieve success, fame and wealth because they came from a privileged background? Did they all have caring parents, a superior education and limitless financial backing? If you study their life stories you will find the answer is no. Many of these successful people started life in an ordinary or even underprivileged style but they were able to achieve success because they freed themselves from the constraints imposed by the past.
Suffice it to say here that God has provided all you need to be a successful person but you keep giving excuses on how uneducated you are, not having enough time and all that, you have no excuse not to be all that God wants you to become. It is up to you.
All the best
Paragraphs 3-6 Excerpt from the book: "The Man With a Different Spirit"- In View.
Author: Favour Erebosi.
Been a long time, hope you are making impact and touching a life? Good to know! I guess you would be asking me " How did you know?". Never mind, whether you admit it or not you are making an impact. But what i would love to have clarifications on is whether it is positive, life-changing or not, hoping you provide the answer...
Enough of those preambles, i want to share something on the above subject with you;"Got an Excuse" We have seen people who blame environment, government, parents, poverty etc on why they are not successful, hope you agree with me?
According to Francois De La Rochefoucauld, a noted French author of maxims and memoirs, “Nothing is impossible; there are ways that lead to everything, and if we had sufficient will; we should always have sufficient means. It is often merely for an excuse that we say things are impossible”
It is funny how people blame their circumstances for their failure in life, but the fact remains that you have no excuse not to become a success in life.
Did you know that Richard Branson, the famous English industrialist, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies. Whose first successful business venture was at age 16, when he published a magazine called Student, is without a college degree? Yes, he doesn’t have a college degree. I am very sure you are also aware that the founder of Microsoft, Bill gate, is a Harvard drop-out.
He Attended University of Texas, Austin; but did not finish. I am talking about Michael Dell, the founder of famous Dell computer, one of my favourite quotes from him is “When I started our company, it was very much an idea outside of the conventional wisdom, and if there were people telling me that it wasn't going to work, I wasn't really listening to them”.
Evidence of the fact that the past need not dictate the future can be found in the life stories of many great achievers. Think of the wealthy businessmen, leading sportsmen, great scientists, movie icons, super models and entrepreneurs in all walks of life. Did they all achieve success, fame and wealth because they came from a privileged background? Did they all have caring parents, a superior education and limitless financial backing? If you study their life stories you will find the answer is no. Many of these successful people started life in an ordinary or even underprivileged style but they were able to achieve success because they freed themselves from the constraints imposed by the past.
Suffice it to say here that God has provided all you need to be a successful person but you keep giving excuses on how uneducated you are, not having enough time and all that, you have no excuse not to be all that God wants you to become. It is up to you.
All the best
Paragraphs 3-6 Excerpt from the book: "The Man With a Different Spirit"- In View.
Author: Favour Erebosi.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Enemy of Tomorrow
One of my prayer points when i woke up this morning was to have the Grace to do all that i ought to do one day at a time.
I was completely angry with myself last week owning to the fact that i pushed so many things i should have done to a latter date. I felt bad that i could not achieve much for the week. It was all my fault, guess i should not start blaming time and chance; it was my fault. Procrastination became my companion, tomorrow was my friend. It hurts so much that i allowed the graveyard of good intention-procrastination to take a toll on me.
According to Benjamin Frankiln,a renowned scientist and one of the founding fathers of the most powerful country in the world-USA. “You may delay, but time will not.” Is that not insightful? As we spend most of our time on frivolities and push important things for tomorrow, let's not loose sight of the fact that as we delay, time will not.
So i pray that i will always be conscious of the fact that procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried, whatever you have to do, please do it when you ought to, except there are no set goals and objectives. If these are in place, you just have to "do it" as Nike brand would say.
It covers all facets of life, whatever your mind can conceive you can achieve. Go ahead and do it, bring about that change if that is your passion, touch that life today, if that is your purpose. JUST DO IT. As Abraham Lincoln puts it: "The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day".
I wrap up this short piece with this quote by Denis Waitley, A leading American Motivational and keynote speaker:“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.”
All the best, as you get to do what you should do today, today.
Favour.
I was completely angry with myself last week owning to the fact that i pushed so many things i should have done to a latter date. I felt bad that i could not achieve much for the week. It was all my fault, guess i should not start blaming time and chance; it was my fault. Procrastination became my companion, tomorrow was my friend. It hurts so much that i allowed the graveyard of good intention-procrastination to take a toll on me.
According to Benjamin Frankiln,a renowned scientist and one of the founding fathers of the most powerful country in the world-USA. “You may delay, but time will not.” Is that not insightful? As we spend most of our time on frivolities and push important things for tomorrow, let's not loose sight of the fact that as we delay, time will not.
So i pray that i will always be conscious of the fact that procrastination is the grave in which opportunity is buried, whatever you have to do, please do it when you ought to, except there are no set goals and objectives. If these are in place, you just have to "do it" as Nike brand would say.
It covers all facets of life, whatever your mind can conceive you can achieve. Go ahead and do it, bring about that change if that is your passion, touch that life today, if that is your purpose. JUST DO IT. As Abraham Lincoln puts it: "The leading rule for the lawyer, as for the man of every other calling, is diligence. Leave nothing for to-morrow which can be done to-day".
I wrap up this short piece with this quote by Denis Waitley, A leading American Motivational and keynote speaker:“Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.”
All the best, as you get to do what you should do today, today.
Favour.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Direction
When the road seems impassable
When it seems there is no one to help
When the road is deserted
When you can hear no voice of direction
When you seem abandoned
What do you do
Who do you call
Who answers.
Seek Divine direction
It comes from no other place
But BEYOND!
Favour
When it seems there is no one to help
When the road is deserted
When you can hear no voice of direction
When you seem abandoned
What do you do
Who do you call
Who answers.
Seek Divine direction
It comes from no other place
But BEYOND!
Favour
Thursday, May 14, 2009
LEAD D CHANGE
Mark twain said " It is in vain to build the city except we first build the man" I strongly agree i dont know about you, but one thing is clear we cannot be screaming and yearning for change when we have not changed our attitude to life generally.
Governor Fashola of Lagos state is working tirelessly to keep Lagos clean, beautiful and conducive for everyone, yet you still have people who litter the road, drainage and walk ways with dirt-pure water sachet etc, yet we are clamouring for change when some are not faithful in the little expected of them to bring the change, change is not a spontaneous thing, its gradual and progressive.
I remember President Obama telling the people of America on his inauguration day that "Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task".
It's about a recognition on the part of every Nigerian that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly and take this great nation to the height it true deserves to get.
Why do you ask for change when you still throw dirt out of your car while driving, you still jump queues at public places, you still violate traffic laws. Let's do the little expected of us, it's a collective effort, Obama realized that he needed the Americans to LEAD the CHANGE they all want. I urge us to follow suit, let's do away with the mindset that the government is not working, they are mean and irresponsible,no... lets not apportion blames when we have not faithfully carried out the little within our powers.
Let us collectively LEAD the CHANGE we yearn for- CHANGE BEGINS WITH U.
Favour Erebosi
Governor Fashola of Lagos state is working tirelessly to keep Lagos clean, beautiful and conducive for everyone, yet you still have people who litter the road, drainage and walk ways with dirt-pure water sachet etc, yet we are clamouring for change when some are not faithful in the little expected of them to bring the change, change is not a spontaneous thing, its gradual and progressive.
I remember President Obama telling the people of America on his inauguration day that "Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends -- hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism -- these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility -- a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task".
It's about a recognition on the part of every Nigerian that we have duties to ourselves, our nation and the world; duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly and take this great nation to the height it true deserves to get.
Why do you ask for change when you still throw dirt out of your car while driving, you still jump queues at public places, you still violate traffic laws. Let's do the little expected of us, it's a collective effort, Obama realized that he needed the Americans to LEAD the CHANGE they all want. I urge us to follow suit, let's do away with the mindset that the government is not working, they are mean and irresponsible,no... lets not apportion blames when we have not faithfully carried out the little within our powers.
Let us collectively LEAD the CHANGE we yearn for- CHANGE BEGINS WITH U.
Favour Erebosi
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