Page 39 - SACCOStar Mag Vol 46 Press_txt.pdf
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OPINION
our leadership with humility, deference and respect. But willing to provide training and resources, and encourage
within those constraints there are virtually no limits on the people to be creative and innovative. If not to respond in real
D?DBSHUDMDRRNE@FDMTHMDKD@CDQRRDRODBH@KKX@GTL@MBDMSQHB time on the front lines, at the very least by encouraging the
leader, at any level and regardless of position. EQDD?NVNEHCD@R@MCRTFFDRSHNMREQNL@KKQ@MJR
Think about it… 6HRCNL RGNTKC MNS AD @ Q@QD BNLLNCHSX
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wisdom comes from the martial arts traditions: “Knowledge
In scenario “A” a clerk or teller on the front lines must ask and experience––tempered by awareness.”
permission every time to adjust a fee or correct an accounting
error. It’s interesting that self-awareness has become a serious
leadership concern all over the world. While most organizations
In scenario “B”, these people are trained to make decisions, recognize the importance of self-awareness in leaders, studies
act autonomously whenever possible and they understand show that most leaders are lacking in this area.
functional constraints because they’ve been involved in the
process of designing those protocols. Awareness has to do with continual, realistic and accurate self-
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Which is more effective? only of our own feelings, but the feelings of others, particularly
the people we serve.
These simple scenarios actually uncover a number of
advantages in the “leadership at all levels” philosophy. It’s about looking in the mirror––regularly. And the best mirror
for any leader is the thoughts, feelings and perceptions of the
First, in a massive study of workers all over the world, Dan Pink people we serve. How do they see us? Is our own self-image in
HCDMSH?DCSGDSGQDDFQD@SDRSLNSHU@SHNMRHMSGDVNQJOK@BD alignment with how others see us?
S TSNMNLX This type of constructive awareness must be trained, and
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S /TQONRD organization, everyone is self-aware…
People perform at much higher levels when they have some S $UDQXNMDG@RRNLDCDFQDDNE@TSNMNLX
control over their work environment and are trusted, as much S $UDQXNMDG@RSGDNOONQSTMHSXSNKD@QMFQNV@MCCDUDKNO
as possible, to make decisions.
mastery.
They perform better when they have opportunities to learn, S $UDQXNMD HR HM @KHFMLDMS VHSG @MC BNMSQHATSDR SN SGD
grow and develop. Opportunities for personal and professional
mastery. organization purpose.
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And they perform at their highest levels when they know their
work serves a greater purpose. That’s one of the major reasons VGDSGDQSGNRDNSGDQRG@UDKDRRDPT@KRR@MC@SSHLDRDUDM
people work in SACCOs! They know their work contributes more authority.
something valuable to their neighbors and communities as
well as serving their own ends. It’s time to make a clear distinction between “the manager” and
“the Leader.” Grace Hopper said: “Management is about things.
2STCHDRG@UD@KRNBNM?QLDC@RHEVDMDDCDCSGHRBNM?QL@SHNM Leadership is about people. For too long we went overboard
the fact that people work much harder, stay longer with on management and forgot about leadership.”
an organization and perform at their best when they know
their leaders care about them. This is why we emphasize It’s time to right the ship. If we want great managers, we need
compassionate leadership so much. We must develop SNRTOONQS@MCCDUDKNOD?DBSHUDKD@CDQRRR@S@KKKDUDKR
emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills and genuine
empathy in leaders––at all levels. Jim Bouchard
Leadership Activist, Speaker, Author and
"@QHMF HR DRRDMSH@K ATS MNS RT?BHDMS ENQ D?DBSHUD KD@CDQRGHO
Founder of THE SENSEI LEADER MOVEMENT
Leaders must earn the trust, respect and loyalty of the people TheSenseiLeader.com
we serve. Courage and wisdom are two other essential
ingredients in the leadership formula––at all levels. In Africa contact: Nana Wanjau
Branding Beyond Borders
This means people empowered and encouraged to take a www.brandingbeyondborders.com
chance once in a while. I’ll emphasize “empowered” here info@brandingbeyondborders.com
because the organization and senior management must be
37| SACCO Star Magazine
