Yesterday, our I.C.Parish in Borivali celebrated SCC* Rally. One of the notable features was the “orderliness” & “cleanliness” maintained by the parishioners on the St. Francis School ground.
One key observation in action was that “The Leader stood tall among the parishioners” not because he was a leader of the church; he stood tall because he walks the talk himself.
Here are some of the tell-tale actions a leader exhibits thereby inspiring social change:
Action Clue #1 Developing Organic relationships
Every human relationship journey is unique. It is organic in nature much like mother nature. As a leader, the pressures are plenty, especially to perform and show results. What really makes the difference then, is the efforts the leader takes in developing his/her relationship with his/her team and the organization. When I say organization, every single human being in the organization, irrespective of where that person stands in the organization hierarchy. In organization reality, as a leader, do I really come out of my ivory cabin and spend time on the ground with the people, talking to them, having fun and developing bonds.
Action Clue #2 The Extra Mile
One of the distinguishing marks of a leader is his/her ability to go the extra mile again and again and again and again……..I go, you go 1 mile, the leader goes 2 miles..i go, you go 5 mile, the leader goes 6 miles….
Action Clue #3 Heightened sense of urgency + appreciation
A leader is driven by a purpose, a vision which he/she continues to plough in every act they undertake. This in turn generates energy of change, a kind of quantum jump in energy. However, one distinguishing character in this is the “sense of appreciation” a leader views his team with, not criticism for the comparative difference in speed of execution. He/she while running with speed, agility appreciates your own uniqueness and gives you space to fine tune your speed.
Action Clue #4 Personal Touch
By far, one of the most important qualities a leader exhibits is personal touch. Knowing you by name and acknowledging your small acts in public by quoting your name, reaching out to you by this gesture. I believe this is the highest form of recognition one can receive. What does it speak of the #Leader?
Action Clue #5 Deep personal security of his/her capability, competence
A leader who is driven by deep personal security of his/her capability, competence is a person on fire. He/she does not get clobbered by gossips of the by-standers, fence sitters or opposition. The focus of such a leader is on “service”, on making a difference and fulfilling that inner fire of service.
Action #6 Transparency and Accountability
One of the key indicators of success is the transparency and accountability a leaders exhibits in every action. A leader is comfortable being transparent and accountable for his/her action.
Action Clue #7 Servant Leadership
When you add Action clues #1 to #6, you are looking at a servant leader in action. Changing the history of the social system in his/her space as a leader.
How about looking at each action clue and working with it in our personal lives, thereby impacting our immediate family, our communities and thereby our society as a social system?
This article is inspired by our current Parish Leader, Fr. Barthol Barretto who is transforming our parish as a #Servant Leader.
Are you inspired by any #Servant Leader? Please do add his/her name in the comments below, with a snippet of how you are inspired with his/her leadership. Thank you for sharing your story of inspiration.
– #SJ
*SCC : Small Christian Community
Cover photo : www.salem-news.com
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