Africa Arise!

The idea of sacrificing in the interest of others is not limited to marriage relationship. It is relevant to other spheres of life. In very ordinary practices, African people reinforce the value of sacrificial giving. In most cultures people who drop in at mealtime are invited to share the meal. It is considered selfish for visitors to wait and be welcomed in only after meals are over. When the life of a person in the community is in danger, others are supposed to drop whatever they are doing and join in the rescue of the endangered life. African societies are such that these opportunities are common. People go out of their way to give their best to their visitors. I have on various occasions been embarrassed by such sacrificial hospitality on various mission programs when we as visitors are served with a feast by our Christian friends amidst lack and uncertainties for survival. It would not take rocket science to know that this requires tremendous sacrifice on their part. But such is the beauty of African hospitality! It is exercised with great sacrifice. The popular concept of leadership associates it with privileges. These include special respect and rewards. The privileges of leadership can at times be seen as rights. It takes very unique leaders to put these privileges aside in the interest of those being led. This is illustrated in the traditional African home. The man is viewed as the leader and he is served with the best portion of the meal. In some cultures certain parts of meat are served for adult men only. These practices have been fading off with time but studying them reveals very interesting traditional mindsets. This linking of leadership position with certain privileges is not unique to African culture. In most organizations whether government or Christian organizations, the senior guys are entitled to cars, houses, mortgages, children health and education covers and other privileges that are not available to other workers. These privileges are associated with leadership positions.
The question then comes, how many would be willing to say no and categorically say that I can in fact buy and use my car for official purposes in the same way as other staffs are expected to do. Is it possible to avoid using company/organization resources for purchasing a home or a car for ourselves as leaders. The association of leadership authority with privileges and rights has defined approaches to leadership. A common negative approach is viewing leadership as lordship. This kind of leadership is a challenge to sacrificial leadership. Servant leadership is a popular concept in leadership and management circles today; leadership authority is an instrument for serving others, not oneself Sacrificial leadership involves preferring the needs of other above one’s own ambition for success and comfort. A sacrificial leader has a high sense of inner security and enjoys empowering others. I think this should be the way to GO AS AFRICAN LEADERS WHATEVER THE LINE OF SERVICE .