By Dr Charles Leyman Kachitsa
The start of the year is always expected if one is blessed to be alive. The way of nature is such that all things have to go on forward to complete the cycle and fulfil all stages of birth, growth, maturity and death. Except for the last stage, all who have passed on to the new year of 2025 might be at one of the other three. This includes the stage of birth as it would be conceived that chances are when the time was striking 12 midnight on 31st December of last year, there might have been some children in the last minutes of their birth.
A new year brings new resolves to doing things differently. If one is progressive, then that resolve would be to grow and build on what they already have, to realising a new lease of life positively. Coming up with new year resolutions that would be lived up to, is an art that a few privileged people and go on to celebrate their fulfil within the year under focus.
One has to be realistic on where one draws their belief to be confident in conquering. With faith nothing is impossible, all things are possible. It’s possible and this is true that this year may be the year for you.
The quotes this week are a continuation extraction of a book that we can learn a lot from about managing in a society that has become diverse in all its manifestation. The diversity in communities has not left any places globally perhaps except in remote rural areas. I am sure the few selected quotes below from this book will enlighten you to one or two life lessons, read and enjoy:
THE CULTURALLY INTELLIGENT LEADER By Hirpo Kumbi
“Furthermore, it is not enough to recognise the variety of gifts possessed by members of the team; the missional leader needs to instruct them. A training institute, college or other appropriate body should be seriously considered as a necessary ingredient in mission, since leaders cannot do everything on their own. Looking to other trainers helps to provide alternative experiences and views, otherwise the next generation of leaders will draw their experience only from their first teacher, resulting in something akin to cloning.”
“Affiliation with host culture organisations can help with making the transition as it gives opportunity to access resources, including mature people who can offer good advice on integrating with the culture of the host country. Not only do the immigrant churches benefit, but also the indigenous churches and the whole country. However, partnership should not only be ‘advantage centred’; it also needs to be ‘mission centred’.”
“The leader has to cope with criticisms, but some criticism can be positive, when it comes from those who want to see progress. It is good for any leader to have trusted members who can give constructive criticism. Their views should be respected, examined and used appropriately. Negative criticism sometimes arises when there is disagreement, with the leader coming from a genuine difference of perspective, but it may also come from personal rivalry. This can be dealt with in various ways, but always with firmness and grace.”
“Cultural intelligence requires understanding of how cultural matters like honour-shame work, and them learning to think how to help someone address an issue so that required adjustments can be made without causing conflict. Reading popular books in the field of cultural anthropology can help a leader to develop understanding and to increase their cultural intelligence. Another approach might be to obtain a mentor who understands the particular culture the leader is seeking to deepen knowledge of.”