Fellow leaders, did you know that the hot seat is real and the spotlight is not as light as we often think?
This was seen when Hon. Matia Kasaija – Uganda’s Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development – furiously walked out of the studios of NBS TV few days ago, vehemently saying, “I am not going to argue with an ignorant man.”
Whereas that was his estimation of his program host – which he is entitled to – I kept thinking that we, leaders, need to do our best to build emotional intelligence that’s stronger than the challenging environment around us so that when we are pushed to the wall of desperation, our emotions won’t pave way for the eternally ugly.
THE COLD SIDE OF SERVICE:
Here are unavoidable truths about leadership and/or service:
- Within the acceptance to lead a community lies the invitation to be scrutinized.
- In choosing to be in public service, we, by default, sign in to both the admiration of the like-minded and the bullets of the differently-persuaded.
- In aspiring to offer any sort of guidance to masses through electronic media, we, in essence, bring ourselves to the questioning table where opportunity abounds – either for setting the record straight or making the path more crooked.
I strongly suggest: the strength of a leader lies neither in running away from real or perceived problems nor in abhorring the insistent disturbances of those with contrary opinion but in facing his fears, meeting his challengers, and winning relationships instead of arguments. We cannot always run away or be defensive. We don’t have to always win (though politics says something different!)
AUDIENCE MANAGEMENT IS A SKILL:
As an inspirational public speaker and trainer for many years now, I’ve interfaced with all types of people with different motives. Some have asked me humiliating questions. Others have offered despising comments. And others have given cynical answers to some of my questions during those sessions.
But in all, I don’t remember a day I walked out of a session because someone challenged my school of thought — including the session where a young man “cut off my neck” verbally before the start of my presentation one day!
Good news: about 99% of the people I have addressed were cooperative, participatory and receptive. I choose to focus on those, not, for example, the small boy who one time gave an answer that disorganized my 300-strong audience one afternoon!
This is why in the Certificate in Public Speaking and Presentation Mastery course of Inspired Leaders International we have a whole 2-hour unit on “Dynamics of Effective Audience Management.” (The 16th intake runs from 9th to 17th July 2018).
RESPONSE YIELDS RESULT:
Come to think about this.
- Why should we only expect the easy?
- Why should we only demand for the simple?
- Why should be only look forward to the supportive?
- Isn’t that living in the idealistic world and never being in the reality of today?
Granted, we too are human beings who get hurt, disappointed and frustrated. We get angry, annoyed and sad. However, the greatest lesson of emotional intelligence I have ever learnt is this:
- What matters is not what happens to us but what we do about it.
- What matters is not what others do to us but how we choose to respond to that stimulus.
- The people that enjoy life the most are not those who have or receive only the best in life but those who make the best of whatever life brings to them.
BEAUTY FOR ASHES:
So let’s be encouraged.
- Out of trials can come triumphs.
- Out of what looks like an ugly mess, we can craft a beautiful message.
- In today’s tests of life are hidden the testimonies of tomorrow.
- Without breakdowns, we often can’t experience breakthroughs.
- Let’s approach our pain with an expectation of gain at the end.
So, dear Hon. Minister, whereas I can imagine how angry you felt while being put on spot by the insistent (and maybe annoying) questioner, please find the heart to walk in again in future and complete the unfinished business that falls under your docket. That’s the stuff that transformational leaders who leave an enduring legacy are made of. Don’t walk out again, regardless of how you feel about the program. (I even don’t remember your boss – the president – doing that, even when he too has been under serious scrutiny at some points during interviews and media briefs.)
There’s a better way, even if it is the difficult way. And all of us can aspire to take the high road, by the help of the Almighty. Leadership is not a bed of roses. Service is not a cup of tea. Being under scrutiny is not a tin of honey.
#YouWillManage
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