MODEL THE WAY

It's a patience test sitting in the hospital waiting for your turn. That's what I am feeling right now. I think I have gotten better over the months but still room for improvement. Hospital is not my most hospitable place to visit. I do have some silly thoughts whenever I visited the hospital.

This morning I was put to a test. There were two ladies playing games on their mobile. They didn't have the courtesy to lower down the volume. The sound was very irritating that I feel agitated. Sometimes I wonder why people could be so inconsiderate, so impolite. I was having a racist thought - underneath my breath - I was screaming "Chinese...rude and inconsiderate!!" Even as I write this post I am still hearing the irritating sound. I told my dear wife that I should play a computer game right now and put full blast on its volume. As usual my wife objected to it and said that I should be patience. There...I am learning another lesson.

While waiting patiently, I was reading a book "Christian Reflections on The Leadership Challenge.” It was easy reading. Actually, I was reading this new book that I ordered from the States to help me in my development of leadership course for the church. Let me quote:

"From our examination of these cases, as well as through the analyses of empirical data from tens of thousands of our Leadership Practices Inventories, we've discovered that regardless of level, place, discipline, style, race, age, gender, religion, or personality, leaders exhibit similar behaviors when they guide others along pioneering journeys. Although each case has been unique in its expression! we've been able to detect a similar pattern to leaders' actions - a pattern we call The Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership. We've found that when performing at their best, leaders (1) Model the Way, (2) Inspire a Shared Vision, (3) Challenge the Process, (4) Enable Others to Act, and (5) Encourage the Heart."

I find the book very intriguing and challenging. I think I have found some gold nuggets on leadership principles. I must not follow the crowd but instead I must model the way. So, there it goes...my wife is right again!!