An ideal leader is the one who eliminates his personal expectations
and preferences, only devotes his whole heart and mind to his people and embraces justice in life.
LEADING
The headteacher summoned Liên, the monitor of the class, to the office, asked:
"Why do you eject Hảo from the class committee while Hao was elected by everyone?"
"Sir, because Hảo and I tend to have conflicts in most cases, we can't cooperate at work."
"If that is the case, you need to ask for my advice. You can't remove your friend's name like that."
"Sir, I'm the class monitor, so I think I have a right to arrange suitable staff to ensure an effective corporation."
"No, you misunderstood. A person with power must not make use of it to do things at their own will. Instead, they are supposed to keep everything in order, keep people abiding by the law. Now, you can go back to your class. I'll be there in a short while to solve this problem."
Liên was confused and not ready to leave. The teacher said:
"It seems you aren't clear about this matter yet. This is indeed an important viewpoint. Power is given to a few people so that they can help others to enforce the law. They are not supposed to use their special right to do whatever they want. You need to think about it carefully."
Liên said goodbye to her teacher and left.
Many people do not understand this viewpoint about power. They think having power allows them to do anything they want. However, what this person wants may be what others do not. If everyone is allowed to do anything they choose, society would be chaotic. Thus, every community needs a leader who can make people with different wills to abide by the common law.
The leader's right is to lead and make everyone follow the common rules agreed by the whole community; not creating his/her own rules to force people to live accordingly. The leader's morality is determined by how much they let go of their personal opinions, embrace justice, and act in accordance with common policies and ethics.
People tend to care more about their personal and sometimes selfish needs. What makes a leader outstanding is that he can reject his personal opinions, constrain personal preferences, and lead his people to abide by the laws and moral standards. Sometimes, the leader may have a new idea, but he should never impose it on others personally. Instead, such initiatives are supposed to be considered carefully and built into the common laws if necessary. The higher the position, the less the ego ought to be. That is morality, and that is the way of sustainability.
Many leaders have made terrible mistakes because they thought they have the right to manipulate others. A clip filmed from a phone showed a policewoman furiously taking a penniless man out of a restaurant. Another guest asked her what law gave her a right to eject that poor man while he was eating; she replied, "I am the law." This clip touched people's hearts. The poor man was given a meal by someone, but someone else called the police to get him out. It was indeed cruel.
Having power does not equate to being the law. Instead, it is the responsibility to guide people to abide by the law. Similarly, leaders of any religious associations must live an exemplary life and sustain their devotees' morals. They are not supposed to do things for their own sake only.
Power can easily make people arrogant. Only morally wise people can constrain their ego when having power. Most good leaders look tender and humble because they can control themselves. They never let their emotions or their wishes rule their actions. Thus, they can do many useful things for society.
Adolf Hitler was an example of an arrogant leader. He forced the subordinates to work at his own will. In his meetings, he furiously chewed his staff out. Finally, his career was blown out.
In the end, an ideal leader is the one who eliminates his personal expectations and preferences, only devotes his whole heart and mind to his people and embraces justice in life.
Written by:
Janna
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