CREATIVE METHODS OF BUILDING LEADERSHIP AT CLUB LEVEL BY PDG/PMCC LION KHAN

As a leader your demeanour reflects your discipline, your organization, your drive and your commitment to rise above your present reality.

Leadership is a pet subject at all lions meetings, forums and seminars. We have talked about it “adnauseum”, and will go on talking about it for long, for it is one thing that beat vigorously the minds of Lions leaders at the top. 

There is surely a reason for it, and I think it is that we feel unsure of the quality of leaders at the club and District levels of our organization. Without the quality of leadership at a level that would bring prestige – a better image to our organization both within and outside Lionism. We will have to talk about it. I do not need to explain to you why we need a leader. I think we are all in agreement that is, of the same mind, that we need some one to take charge of the institution, be it at the club, District or International level. And proverbially we always equate it with the “CAPTAIN OF THE SHIP”.

The captain is thus an important the most important person at the helm of the ship. Same applies to the President of a club. His or her selection i.e. the right person to be put in control of the ship called “S.S. Club” is vital for completing the journey of the club safely and harmoniously.

But President, like captains of the ships, are not made in a day. A few are lucky to be born leaders, but most of us acquire leadership after going through a process of learning and training.

Indeed, as you should be familiar,  the third,  second and first vice  – Presidents act as co-ordnators on club sub- committees. Changing each year, in order to gain knowledge and experience of each facet of our clubs functioning in Administration and Activities. We call this process on the ladder of leadership.

Turning back to the title of my subject “Methods of building leadership”. It will be noticed that we are talking of building a leadership, and how to achieve this. What creative methods we should adopt or use? It is rather an academic approach. Academically, as I understand it to build some one into a leader, there is first a process of “selection” of a person whom you think is suitable to become a leader.

There are various factors both qualitative and Quantitative. Let us go into that now. But “selection” can be made consciously by trying out a person or involuntarily. I.e. some one will be an automatic choice to assume leadership – future leadership, mind well, as we have to still build him/her – by spotting his or her talents.

Having selected a person, the next step in building him or her up is to MOTIVATE that person. I.e. through “MOTIVATION”. Motivate that person to do the task assigned to him or her to discharge the responsibilities creditably. Motivation can come from within a person such as the person’s ambition, or attachment to a cause.

Having motivated a person you have to entrust him/her with a Responsibility. Give an assignment to test his/her ability and endurance. It could be a trial and error method. It is also learning On- The – Job technique used most commonly in industries. It also tests a person’s ability to take control and discharge the responsibility given. The person selected, motivated and given responsibility can further helped to improve his skills through Training. Training can come by providing timely guidance to him or her. By imparting knowledge to him or her. Knowledge of Lionism. Knowledge of responsibilities attached to the office to be assumed, its functioning and the role one is expected to play commensurate to the position. Knowledge of what others would expect from him/her as a leader.

Perhaps the importance of knowledge is not realized by our up-and –coming leaders, there would be lot of unnecessary tussle amidst the members and thus creating disharmony and misunderstanding. Knowledge is the most important weapon, without knowledge, without a solid back ground to your position – how can you do justice to it. Thus we have for this very purpose seminars and training workshops for the club and District officers.

To summarize, we have talked of SELECTION, MOTIVATION, ENTRUSTING RESPONSIBILITY and TRAINING as the four steps to build a leader. But I am now going to digress a bit and touch on the other aspects of leadership.

At CHENAI forum in June 2008, where group discussion took place, one of the Past District Governor made a very interesting remark. He said we talk of “Leadership Skills” and not “Leadership Qualities”. It suddenly dawned upon me that yes, there is a difference – a subtle difference between “Skill” and “Quality” of a person, in a person to be chosen as a leader. The difference may be subtle but very important to the “Image” we talk about of our organization. The quality of a leader at the helm of the club or District for that matter, affects the very success of our organization affects the progress of our organization at the club as well as District level.

The younger or new members coming into our organization see a peer role in the leaders. A role model, if they find that the leader is not Emulative – but Evasive, bossy, unreliable, untrustworthy, they get disillusioned-not with the leadership of the person but with Lionism itself. That is why quality in a leader is very essential. People do not get attracted by the lofty ideals of an organization. Its commendable goals or objects, but by the person who are the top of that organization or movement.

There are various methods which can be used or are used to build the skills of a leader, and only a few come to my mind.

To make a person work in a group i.e. through committees, sometimes, unfortunately this does not happen at the needed level. This can be developed by participation in group discussions exchange of views, broadening one’s vision.

Give a person an opportunity to speak at club meetings. Simple tasks such as saying the grace, introducing a guest or vote of thanks. This will bring confidence in him/her to address others. To overcome nervousness.

Filling the job of an absentee officer, Lion Tamer, Tail Twister etc.

Before concluding I would like to present you with a Memorable Quotation.

“SOW AN ACT,  AND YOU REAP A HABIT,

  SOW A HABIT,  AND YOU REAP A CHARACTER,

  SOW A CHARACTER,  AND YOU REAP A DESTINY”.

Wishing you all the best in all your endeavours for the remaining half Lionistic year 2011/2012.

With kind regards,

LION ABDUL MAJEED KHAN

PDG / PMCC – M. D. 411

GMT – DIST. COORDINATOR - DIST. 411B