CREATIVE LEADERSHIP
Discovering Opportunities Amidst Problems
HUMAN life is full of problems. Any leadership that emerges, is bound to emerge amidst problems. Also, every leadership shares the common claim of aiming to solve problems. But there is a difference. One kind of leadership only exacerbates the problem, while the other kind either solves the problem or at least reduces the magnitude of the problem. Only the second kind of leadership can be called creative leadership.
Why is there a difference in the results of these two kinds of leadership? The basic reason is that uncreative leadership is the outcome of reaction; it begins with protests and ends with protests. In such a situation another title for uncreative leadership is protestant leadership.
Life and problems are inseparable from each other. With every problem, there are opportunities.
In contrast, creative leadership always reaches some kind of positive result. Its beginning is positive and its end is also positive. In terms of results, uncreative leadership is a curse for mankind, while creative leadership is a blessing for mankind.
Why is there such a difference? The reason is that uncreative leadership sees things at face value, so it knows of nothing except problems. It begins with complaints and protests and also ends with complaints and protests. On the other hand, creative leadership is able to see what is beneath the surface. It is able to discover an opportunity amidst the jungle of problems. The method of creative leadership involves avoiding problems and trying to avail all opportunities. This is the wisdom of life. Due to this difference, uncreative leadership always fails, while creative leadership always achieves success.
The wisdom behind this state of affairs is that problems are a part of life. Both life and problems are inseparable from each other. This is a law of nature. But, there is another aspect of the law of nature, which may be formulated in these words: ‘With every problem, there are opportunities.’ Creative leadership is so wise that it knows this law of nature. It, therefore, never allows itself to become enmeshed in problems. Rather, it always tries to find opportunities and avail of them in its favour. This wisdom is absent in uncreative leadership.
Creative leadership begins with planning. A creative leader is one who is able to dispassionately assess the situation and after analysing all the aspects of the situation, finalizes his plan. He will say: ‘My way is to begin from the beginning.’ While the uncreative leader is unaware of this reality, he jumps into the helm of affairs without any planning. He proves to be a practical example of the saying: ‘Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.’
The criterion of good leadership is the result.
Creative leadership is wise leadership in the true sense of the word. It is better for those deprived of this wisdom to remain inactive than try to play an active role in arriving at any solution.
The criterion for judging good and bad leadership is the result. Don’t see their slogans, but see the result they yield. Slogans can be misleading, while the result should be the true criterion of judgment.
Man has to pass his life in this world in such a
way that every happening becomes for him
a reminder of the Day of Judgement.
His sleeping and rising should
also serve as reminders
of life after death.