It was just chance that Adv. Noble, our parent, government pleader (assistant/deputy - definitely having higher ambitions), BJP candidate for Kottayam parliamentary seat, and till election PJ Joseph faction member. Perhaps, he did not get a better option. Fr. Prior did not take the phone. The gathering was a strange fit - all BJP candidates or leaders of the locality. The district president, Mr. Thomas was there, also the stalwart candidate of Ernakulam, AN Radhakrishnan, former MLA candidate Raju, one of the sitting councillors of Kochi etc.
However, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on leadership against the passover celebrations.
On this day of Jesus' example of washing of the feet and institution of the Holy Eucharist, 3 types of leadership can be identified (the last two - indebted to Fr. Kariyil - Thiruvayassu).
1. Leadership that identifies the victim - വിരൽ ചൂണ്ടുന്ന നേതൃത്വം
Typical of Caiphas who points out and says, it is better that one dies for all. Easily adapted model in political circles. The potential martyrs and victims are identified, and created, so that the party survives.
2. Leadership that washes one's hands off responsibility (കൈ കഴുകുന്ന നേതൃത്വം)
We see this model with Pilate - who gives the verdict, does the work, but is unwilling to take the moral responsibility. However, this happens in collusion with a group, rather a 'crowd' or 'mob' which is willing to take up the responsibility, with no 'prick of conscience'. They clamour in some degree of inebriation, 'let that be on us and our children'. The so-called quotation teams of the present mafiadom is that part of the leadership. They take up the task of annihilation and arranges for people who would own responsibility, while the real culprits, wash their hands off.
3. Leadership that washes the feet (കാൽ കഴുകുന്ന നേതൃത്വം) - Servant Leadership
Presented by Jesus. which ensures sustainability of relationships. This has to happen in every human relationship - family, faith-places and workplaces.
The political leadership aspirants have 'minister-ship' as their top level goal (if not ultimate). However, seldom, the meaning of this verb and noun, is known to them - a position implying service (ശുശ്രൂഷ). Jesus asks his disciples to wash each other's feet. If this happens among the political leadership, there would be no split, the parties would be very strong.
As a leader Jesus, shares his resources, shares his life (symbolized in the sharing of bread and wine), sacrifices his life (for the cause) and calls his followers 'friends'. The communists come closer in the last aspect, they call each other 'comrades'; however, there are always 'more equal' comrades.
As a leader, Jesus experienced his followers - disciples - friends, quite away from his spirit - power craving, sleeping (partners), show off of loyalty (ready to take up arms), deserting and denying.
For leadership to be successful, it is important that the leader is clear of the greater goal, and the followers share that. Jesus succeeded in this, by having a clear goal of 'God's Reign' - Kingdom of God. That is very pertinent today when we speak of good governance, in a very religious and faith led nation, in spite of its diversity in that respect.
A person who had a similar vision was Mahatma Gandhi, who considered 'sarvodayam' as his ultimate goal. An all inclusive development.
However, today's leadership is more concerned with sharing the crumbs with those of one's exclusive circles - thus people who wag their tail and flatter the leaders, get the crumbs, in terms of directorship, chairmanship, pilot vehicles, government vehicle, pensions etc.
Jesus' leadership was a 'welcoming' leadership - Don't hinder them, let them come! It was a leadership which demanded doing beyond what is demanded, hence 'walking the extra mile', giving without expecting (votes).
Let that leadership inspire us today!
However, it gave me an opportunity to reflect on leadership against the passover celebrations.
On this day of Jesus' example of washing of the feet and institution of the Holy Eucharist, 3 types of leadership can be identified (the last two - indebted to Fr. Kariyil - Thiruvayassu).
1. Leadership that identifies the victim - വിരൽ ചൂണ്ടുന്ന നേതൃത്വം
Typical of Caiphas who points out and says, it is better that one dies for all. Easily adapted model in political circles. The potential martyrs and victims are identified, and created, so that the party survives.
2. Leadership that washes one's hands off responsibility (കൈ കഴുകുന്ന നേതൃത്വം)
We see this model with Pilate - who gives the verdict, does the work, but is unwilling to take the moral responsibility. However, this happens in collusion with a group, rather a 'crowd' or 'mob' which is willing to take up the responsibility, with no 'prick of conscience'. They clamour in some degree of inebriation, 'let that be on us and our children'. The so-called quotation teams of the present mafiadom is that part of the leadership. They take up the task of annihilation and arranges for people who would own responsibility, while the real culprits, wash their hands off.
3. Leadership that washes the feet (കാൽ കഴുകുന്ന നേതൃത്വം) - Servant Leadership
Presented by Jesus. which ensures sustainability of relationships. This has to happen in every human relationship - family, faith-places and workplaces.
The political leadership aspirants have 'minister-ship' as their top level goal (if not ultimate). However, seldom, the meaning of this verb and noun, is known to them - a position implying service (ശുശ്രൂഷ). Jesus asks his disciples to wash each other's feet. If this happens among the political leadership, there would be no split, the parties would be very strong.
As a leader Jesus, shares his resources, shares his life (symbolized in the sharing of bread and wine), sacrifices his life (for the cause) and calls his followers 'friends'. The communists come closer in the last aspect, they call each other 'comrades'; however, there are always 'more equal' comrades.
As a leader, Jesus experienced his followers - disciples - friends, quite away from his spirit - power craving, sleeping (partners), show off of loyalty (ready to take up arms), deserting and denying.
For leadership to be successful, it is important that the leader is clear of the greater goal, and the followers share that. Jesus succeeded in this, by having a clear goal of 'God's Reign' - Kingdom of God. That is very pertinent today when we speak of good governance, in a very religious and faith led nation, in spite of its diversity in that respect.
A person who had a similar vision was Mahatma Gandhi, who considered 'sarvodayam' as his ultimate goal. An all inclusive development.
However, today's leadership is more concerned with sharing the crumbs with those of one's exclusive circles - thus people who wag their tail and flatter the leaders, get the crumbs, in terms of directorship, chairmanship, pilot vehicles, government vehicle, pensions etc.
Jesus' leadership was a 'welcoming' leadership - Don't hinder them, let them come! It was a leadership which demanded doing beyond what is demanded, hence 'walking the extra mile', giving without expecting (votes).
Let that leadership inspire us today!
