Self-Serving Leaders vs. Self-Giving Leaders
Jubilee Centre December 3rd, 2007
The recent dispute by President Dr. Levy Mwanawasa SC and former President Dr. Fredrick Chiluba over who among them is more successful as a leader made sad reading. It is not to up the two presidents to claim who is the better leader. The thirtieth president of United States, Calvin Coolidge stated:
It is a great advantage to a president and a major source of safety
to the country, for him to know that he is not a great man.
When a man begins to feel that he is the only one who can lead this republic,
he is guilty of treason to the spirit of our institutions” (Cal Thomas 2001:113).
The Bible tells us that the true nature of leader is to serve:
You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, who ever wants to be great among you must be your servant…For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:42-45
).
Nelson Mandela, the great son of Africa once said, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and see realized. But my lord, if needs be, It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die” (1964, Mandela Treason Case).
Which of the two Zambian leaders expressed anything in their arguments near to the above statements? Both are angry at one another because each one is trying to upstage the other. They are focused on their glory and their legacy rather than their passion. Self-giving leaders look at leadership as an act of service. They embrace and welcome criticism as a source of useful information on how they can provide better service. However self-serving leaders spend most of their time protecting their status. When they are criticized they think you don’t want their leadership.
The people of Zambia are worried and concerned that the mining investors whom the two are claiming credit as having brought into the country are doing more harm and little good to the nation. Our leaders’ quarrels reveal their ignorance about issues that concern the 68% or more Zambians living in poverty. Zambians are concerned that our leaders’ practices are throwing much weight around our waists; high taxes, underdevelopment, poverty and environmental degradation.
Therefore, Zambians are looking for leaders who in their self-giving service will inspire us to fight hardships of poverty, HIV/AIDS and investors mistreatment and succeed. Zambians are also looking for leaders who through their example of sacrificial service will encourage us to set aside excuses and make a better life today-for ourselves, for our children, for our society and for our nation and for our future. Are we developing self-giving leadership in our churches?
Lawrence Temfwe
