Showing posts with label Servant Leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Servant Leadership. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Seven of Wands - The Struggle of the Underdog


Unlike here in the Seven of Wands, where we see a competitive and evenly matched fight, the struggle of the underdog is all too often not a fair fight.

Our world seems to be in a battle that has historically resulted in socioeconomic problems affecting marginalized individuals within our society. As well, environmental and climate change are all serious issues that usually involve the underdog, fighting government and corporate power. Unfortunately this battle revolves around financial gain and exploitation.

My grandfather who was a humble and very wise man always said, 'The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer. ' I do believe this to be generally true, but this does not mean that we can afford to cease to have hope and no longer fight the good fight for the principles of social justice.

 The worst thing we can do, is to sit on our laurels because we have become apathetic, cynical or fearful in demoralizing defeat. We must have the conviction of our beliefs, have courage and learn our value as human beings, knowing that we all deserve and have a right to fight for justice and dignity. We must advocate for, and have faith in ourselves and in others.

The saying, ' It's a dog eat dog world ' may certainly appear very true in our competitive society.  There will always be envy and competition and it is something we must accept.
 I am not saying competition is a negative thing, only when it is destructive and infringes or exploits the rights of another. We need to support, and encourage each other in loving kindness, in order to make for a kinder,  more hopeful world, in service of peace and freedom.


Let me not pray to be sheltered from dangers,
But to be fearless in facing them.
Let me not beg for the stilling of my pain,
But for the heart to conquer it.
Let me not look for allies in life's battlefield,
But to my own strength.
Let me not crave in anxious fear to be saved,
But hope for the patience to win my freedom.
Grant me that I may not be a coward,
feeling your mercy in my success alone,
But let me find the grasp of your hand in my failure.

                                                                               -  Rabindranath Tagore

 

Monday, August 4, 2014

King of Wands - Ah Ha! Oh Oh!



I know who this is. I wasn't expecting this card, but then the cards don't lie. But there it is looking me in the face this morning.
 The leader, he can shape the world's events. He's Mr. Creative, the adventurer and the charmer, with the infectious personality. When I think about this as being the ideal man, I think about my late big brother Ralph and my loving late husband Bill. I also think about a gentleman of leisure, the late great Jessie Winchester.

I heard this beautiful anonymously written Arabic poem yesterday that I so love, and here it is. Only bit I don't care for is the "slave" word. Maybe servant-leader would be a better word? Because to me if you are a slave to love you are not free.

“ You are free
You are free before the noon day sun.
You are free before the moon,
and you are free before the stars.
And you are free when there is no sun
And when there is no moon,
and when there isn’t a single star in the sky.
But you are a slave,
You are a slave to the one you love,
Because you love him
And you are a slave to the one you love because he loves you back. "
― unknown Arabic poet

The King of Wands  full of passion, seizes the day and is ready to take on the world. The King is a self-starter, who has the strength to back up his own ideas and is full of creative energy. He's honest, a dependable man of action, generous and kindhearted. He's just pretty irresistible.
Ok, I admit it, I give in, I love this man! I'm done!





Thursday, July 3, 2014

King of Wands - Leadership


In spite of the character defects that the King of Wands can exhibit, possessing a haughty and quick temper,  a know it all attitude, with a tendency to be bossy, regardless, he is still an honest, a self-starter, and a natural leader. Full of creative imagination, energy and action. He can back up his ideas and is a real visionary.

We can clearly see the King of Wands has many positive personality traits, that a leader needs. That said, he seems to be a bit of a contradiction. He can be selfish, impatient, and intolerant with other's imperfections, and limitations. He may think of himself as being the general manager of the Universe but simultaneously he can very generous and kind.

When I reflect on the qualities of a good leader, being bossy, opinionated and intolerant of others imperfections, having a short temper, these are not personality traits that come to mind. I think perhaps the King of Wands like this, may have been exposed to a father who exhibited these negative characteristics and behaviours and may have something to prove.
What comes to my mind as a vital leadership quality is one who perceives a leader as being first and foremost a servant, who sets an example, as a role model to others.

9 Qualities of the Servant Leader

  1. Values diverse opinions
  2. Cultivates a culture of trust
  3. Develops other leaders
  4. Helps people with life issues
  5. Encourages
  6. Sells instead of tells
  7. Thinks you, not me
  8. Thinks long-term
  9. Acts with humility