Snapshots of Leadership Qualities gleaned from everyday life

by Tammy on May 11, 2011

What are important leadership qualities that you value in rising leaders? What are the qualities you hope to develop in those you serve in desiring that they take on greater leadership responsibilities in the future?

The following are 3 leadership qualities taken from ‘snapshots’ of everyday life here in Albania, essential for cultivating in an aspiring leader’s life.

PATIENCE:

PatienceIn order to truly thrive in Albania, one needs patience. The best snapshot of necessary patience can be seen in these days following May 8th’s local elections as the results are still being tallied as of today– 3 days later. There was no point in staying up all night on Sunday, watching the news, waiting for a victory celebration for one political party or the other, since the ballots are counted by hand. One box at a time.

As I scanned the newspaper headlines today trying to determine who won, I realized that each newspaper, depending on their political slant, declared different winners for the same position– simply because the final results have yet to be sorted.

Patience is key to leadership. Dealing with difficult people on teams, clearing up misunderstandings, facing obstacles that arise, and making the best decision all require patience.

CREATIVITY:


Another key leadership quality gleaned from living in Albania is that of creativity. With the massive amounts of cars on the roads and limited parking space throughout the city– some open spaces, not quite designed for parking, are turned into parking lots– thus showing creativity in dealing with this urban dilemma.

Leaders who can think outside the box, who are willing to explore new possibilities, who aren’t stuck in the rut of doing things the traditional way are a great asset to an organization or company.

WISDOM:

I noticed an interesting phenomena a few days before the elections. Small improvements around the city seemed to show up everywhere: TCLH mentioned that streetlights had been put up in his parent’s neighborhood, new road markings dividing lanes were freshly painted, and significant to me since I walk 35 minutes each way to and from our ministry building, were the new pedestrian crossing signs hanging from above.

It takes true wisdom, however, to know whether to step out into the crosswalk when you see oncoming cars pummeling down the pavement. In these past few days, I’ve seen it happen both ways– plenty of cars speeding by, oblivious to the implications of these new signs, and I’ve witnessed some brave souls strike out into the road with great faith that the cars will, in fact, slow down enough for them to arrive safely on the other side.

Wisdom is essential in leadership- knowing when to step out in boldness and take risks, and knowing when to cautiously hold back, waiting until the opportunity is just right.


What snapshots of leadership qualities have you observed in your everyday environment?

{ 1 comment }

Not Just a Slogan

by Tammy on April 22, 2011

If you were to be visiting Albania this week, you’d be sure to notice posters draping city buildings and dotting the sidewalks that advertise local elections to be held on May 8th.

Two campaign slogans have stood out to me:

  • Slogan #1: “E vetmja rrugë për Tiranën, e vetmja rrugë për Shqipërinë.” Translation:
    “The only way for Tirana, the only way for Albania.”
  • Slogan #2: “Ju jeni të parët. Tirana është e para.” Translation:
    “You are first. Tirana is first.”

Very bold declarations, don’t you think? Especially claiming to be “the only way” for Tirana.

And, it is a rare event in Albania to see Slogan #2 put into action. (“You are first, Tirana is first”).

In fact, if you ask most Albanians, they’d readily agree that politicians seem to have only one thing in mind—personal advancement resulting in material gain.

As Christians around the world reflect on the meaning of Easter this week, I too, remember the One who did not paint the city with gutsy campaign slogans or empty promises, but who demonstrated what it truly means to lead by serving and to love by sacrificing.

Jesus claimed in John 14:6, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Those are radical words. Even for Jesus. Many people today balk at that statement.

Yet Jesus bodily and painfully demonstrated that He put:

You,
Me,
Tirana,
Albania,
and the whole world

FIRST


when He died on the cross in our place,

taking our sins upon Himself,

experiencing the worst kind of death,

so that we could fellowship with the Father

and experience eternal life.

The Apostle Paul describes this radical kind of ‘putting others first’ in Philippians 2:3-8:

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!”

It wasn’t just a slogan for Jesus.

He embodied true humility, servanthood, unconditional love, & sacrifice. In doing so, Jesus became the only Way, the only Hope for our broken cities and our sin-marred lives.

Related Posts with Thumbnails

{ 1 comment }

← Previous Entries