When trust is broken in a relationship it is like an earthquake taking place. What was once stable and secure becomes unravelled, what was once tranquil has been disrupted. This is what people experience when they have been hurt by someone they have given their trust to. The simple truth is, it does not go away easily. It is deeply sickening to find in these enlightened days that people are very comfortable abusing relationships and expecting things to go as if all is well. Leaders today seem to have disconnected themselves from the purpose to which they wanted to serve. This is clearly visible in all sectors of leadership. In government, in business, in church, in marriage.....
During the twentieth century our world saw more than it's fair share of despots wanting to viewed as leaders, gaining the trust of the people only until they have wrestled power for their selfish means then use that power to enrich themselves and abuse humanity. I find it very interesting that an oil rich nation like Egypt can the levels poor and borderline poverty in it's boarders while the few who took power live off what belongs to the people. This is no different from the British Monarchs who conquered foreign lands and then all the land belongs to the monarch. The history of relationships between government and the people have reached an impasse. The people no longer trust the governments, as a result the relationships are breaking and the carnage could topple the stability we once new and accepted.
To heal this breach, we need new leaders who are prepared to operate in true transparency, who understand that leadership is an awesome responsibility to serve, and not to take. The present turmoil in Egypt is indicative of an abuse of power, people may become subservient for a season, but when the God given right to dignity and humanity kick in leaders will find themselves running for cover.
When trust is broken, you must go back to the beginning, not the middle. Too often in the relationship between government and people governments assume that people would just go along with anything. In the corporate world, we see the same ugly style of leadership. While the leaders gorge themselves like a pride of lions on a buffalo with an insatiable appetite for greed they think that some fluky press conference would appease the ignorant public. Now the public looks on CEOS' like a plague of locusts, and what about the honest staff who worked hard and honestly and was promised the promotion, and now find themselves seeking employment elsewhere.
New leaders must earn the respect of their staff, no longer will the position automatically give respect, the applies to the president or prim minister, and yes it also applies to the prelate. Starting over is not as difficult as it appears to be. Our perception is in need of change, real change. Not the traditional lip service change, or cliche rhetoric, but a going back to basics of honesty, integrity and service.
During the twentieth century our world saw more than it's fair share of despots wanting to viewed as leaders, gaining the trust of the people only until they have wrestled power for their selfish means then use that power to enrich themselves and abuse humanity. I find it very interesting that an oil rich nation like Egypt can the levels poor and borderline poverty in it's boarders while the few who took power live off what belongs to the people. This is no different from the British Monarchs who conquered foreign lands and then all the land belongs to the monarch. The history of relationships between government and the people have reached an impasse. The people no longer trust the governments, as a result the relationships are breaking and the carnage could topple the stability we once new and accepted.
To heal this breach, we need new leaders who are prepared to operate in true transparency, who understand that leadership is an awesome responsibility to serve, and not to take. The present turmoil in Egypt is indicative of an abuse of power, people may become subservient for a season, but when the God given right to dignity and humanity kick in leaders will find themselves running for cover.
When trust is broken, you must go back to the beginning, not the middle. Too often in the relationship between government and people governments assume that people would just go along with anything. In the corporate world, we see the same ugly style of leadership. While the leaders gorge themselves like a pride of lions on a buffalo with an insatiable appetite for greed they think that some fluky press conference would appease the ignorant public. Now the public looks on CEOS' like a plague of locusts, and what about the honest staff who worked hard and honestly and was promised the promotion, and now find themselves seeking employment elsewhere.
New leaders must earn the respect of their staff, no longer will the position automatically give respect, the applies to the president or prim minister, and yes it also applies to the prelate. Starting over is not as difficult as it appears to be. Our perception is in need of change, real change. Not the traditional lip service change, or cliche rhetoric, but a going back to basics of honesty, integrity and service.
Dr. Thompson has truly laid out a table with food (insightful information) for today’s leaders and those aspiring to be leaders to consider. It is with hope that this message evoke other readers to ponder their reason(s) to embark leadership roles and to further think of the consequences of not fulfilling ones duty to the people one is call to serve. I am reminded as I read Dr. Thompson’s article of Jesus, one of the greatest example of a leader, One who not only talk a great talk but walk it too even when all odds were against him.
ReplyDeleteLet us imagine for a minute, how awesome it would be to see more leaders become discipline to their call to serve. By that, being discipline enough not to fall into self-seeking, power driven, gluttonous behaviours. Once again, Dr. Thompson has laid out a table with profound food, this is a call to eat and be transform in ones mind and consequently ones behaviour. Thank you Dr. Thompson for allowing the Spirit of the Lord to lead you to speak the truth!