The Altruistic Leader... Part III

In our past issues, we realize that without altruism, a Leader would
be next to infamous. Too bad? Well, we should then know that
Mom was right, learn to share your blessings with others. That even
a line from a superhero “movie” made sense, with great power
comes great responsibility.

All these are seriously a matter of putting words into action. Even
as the Holy Bible says…

“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need
but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear
children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and
on truth.” - 1 John 3:17-18

Ok, some of you may not be Christians and it is with reference to
the Bible… but does that mean that you should not take pity and
do good to others? See, altruism is not about religion. We are
talking of values here. After all, we are all on earth together.

Let’s take a quick look at leadership and values. Note that the
original three-circles model (task, group, and individual) spoke only
about needs. But it is impossible to keep values out of the picture,
even if anyone wanted to do so. That is why the behavioural
sciences, which properly attempt to be value-free, can not cover the
whole ground. You have values as well as needs and they play
a vital part in your decisions.

Actually, the relationship of values and needs is very close… we
need what we value; we value what we need. But they are different.
Good and bad, truth and falsehood, right and wrong, profit and loss,
are not needs but they do affect conduct.

You may think this is a philosophical point, not a practical one; but
the “best” Leaders have something of the philosopher in them. So,
as a Leader, you will have to show awareness of the values of the
common enterprise and interpret them for people both inside the
group and outside it. That is why true leadership has an inescapable
moral, or even spiritual, dimension. Without it you can become a
good leader in the technical sense of the word… but not necessarily
be a leader for good.

Where does this leadership and values bring us then?
That efficiency in leadership greatly lies in understanding the
relationship between needs and values. That what you do in the
outside world is reflective of what you do in the inside. You can not
forever hide an elephant nor can you forever hide a good painting…
unless you destroy it, but really, you simply can not.

We reap what we sow.

If we are compassionate then we get compassion as well. Charity
is more effective if we teach one how to fish… not just give a fish.
It’s about giving the necessary assistance… not spoon-feeding.
It’s about understanding the situation… not judging the person.

If your connection needs a job, he is not giving you a burden…
but he is offering you his services… his expertise.

If you wish to be the Best Leader that you can be, then you should
be able to see beyond what your current situation is and how to fit
your connection’s expertise with your objectives. This means, you
should be able to see his application with Great Vision.

Leadership is a matter of opportunity. Opportunity is a chance to
show one’s ability. More than just strategizing and decision-making,
Leadership Ability speaks greatly of one’s people skills.
People skills is nothing without empathy.
Empathy is never a weakness, it is what gives you dedication
from your followers.

Can a Leader be without values?
Only if he is a tyrant.

Altruism echoes through time.

Remember...
"Altruism is the common denominator of Jesus, Gandhi, King to name a few.”