Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Every acorn is a potential oak. And if the right conditions of soil, water and
sunshine are met, something as small and insignificant as an acorn will become
a mighty oak tree. In a similar manner every human being is a potential leader
provided that the right conditions are met so that leadership qualities of courage,
commitment and selfless service can grow.
Just as every oak can offer shade for the weary traveller, a branch for a birds
nest or a beam for the farm barn, every human being has the potential to care for
the Earth, serve the poor, liberate the oppressed and scale the heights of
imagination and self-realisation.
The kind of leader we are concerned with is not a rare hero, not an ego-driven
dictator, not a self-conscious superstar, not a self-centred celebrity or a power-
manic manager, but a humble host to humanity a servant of the Earth and an
ever-vigilant conscience of the people. Such a servant leader is as mindful of
the process and purpose of life as she or he is aware of the goals; there is no
conflict between the means and the ends here. In the work of such a leader there
is complete harmony between what is to be done and how it is to be done.
True and effective leadership is more about inspiration, facilitation and right
action than about outcome, achievements and unrealistic targets.
A real leader leads by example. Anyone who demands, Do as I say and not as I
do! is not a good leader. Integrity between words and deeds is an essential
quality of inspirational leadership. Mahatma Gandhi was once asked: When
you call upon people to do something, they follow you in their millions; what is
the key to your successful leadership?
One living example is more effective than a million words; congruence between
preaching and practice is a prerequisite for purposeful leadership.
We are all potential leaders, because we can all lead our own lives in the right
direction.
We can show the world that a good life can be lived without exploitation,
subjugation or domination of others, or of natural resources. We can show that a
simple, wholesome and equitable life can be joyful and good. We can show that
happiness doesnt flow from material goods or the amount of money in our
bank accounts: rather, happiness flows from the quality of the life we live, and
the kind of relationships we have with our families, with our communities and
with the natural world.
We can all be leaders. All we have to do is wake up, stand up, live and act.