my monologues (6)

Leading starts from seeing. The adage is correct that speaks of the blind not being able to lead the blind. The major encumbrance here is the lack of sight. Eyes lead the body by projecting to the mind what they see and perceive in front of them.

So, one who will lead is the one with open eyes. Open eyes come with an open vision while blank minds have eyes but no processing ability hence no vision and therefore no proper leadership can be derived from such a state.

So, who is going to lead? And how are they going to take the lead? Is being at the front leadership? Is seeing things first leadership? What shall, or what must we see that will make leaders of us? Can one lead without allowing to be led?

I am convinced that whatever mantle leaders carry it does not entitle them to eat first. It does not allow them to devour the homes of widows and to ravish orphans. I am convinced that leaders would rather be threadbare than hold court over naked subjects. I know leaders would rather have bread and water and ensure that every one has at least a meal a day. Leadership starts with selflessness and selfish frontrunners cannot claim to be leaders.

Leadership is stewardship. A mantle that is more of a yoke than a necklace or bow-tie. A stewardship that calls one to take everyone’s worries to bed and hope to wake up with a solution tomorrow. Stewardship is servant hood. Servants eat when the master is done and has retired. So, do we have leaders?

Leadership has rewards. Passing a vision to others and seeing them achieve milestones through your marshaling is the greatest reward. So what do we call front-runners who have vision but use it to reward themselves before their impact those behind them? Not leaders, maybe front running opportunists.

I believe the leadership realm has been overrun by opportunists who ran with the gap when the real leaders were hesitant. The pendulum has to shift. Leaders who seek to be gods cannot be leaders. After so many years why are we still selecting leaders via political affiliation? Why is ethnicity still the calibrating mark?

We cannot triumph without being marshaled. Those who marshal cannot be proper generals without vision so I insist only those who see beyond tribe, nepotism, affiliation etc. are good enough to be stewards under the mantle of leadership. So may the leaders stand up!