LEADERSHIP

I have just returned from a Leadership Seminar on Skills, organized by DC-Leadership Shirley Koh in Petaling Jaya yesterday. The function was quite well attended (as seminars of this nature tend to go by) with nearly 60 Lions, Lioness and Leos present. Even DG Dato' Khoo Kay Huat and PDG Patrick Chew were present. I must applaud the efforts of DC Shirley in making the program interesting by adding a public-speaking contest. The three speakers included DC/DT Nicholas Seow (on Time Management Skills) and myself (on Communication Skills).

The third topic, presented by DC/DT Goh Ing King, was Leadership Skills. In one of the slides, a quote from John Maxwell struck me: "A Leader is one who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way." It made me reflect on my 20+ years of Lionistic history: do I really know the way, have I shown the way and am I going the way? Despite my 'seniority' or what some Lions think, I am still learning. As such, I don't really know everything but maybe a little more than the next Lion. I will not believe it if a 'leader' (especially if he/she is still young in age and Lionistic experience) tells me he/she knows everything and does not need any advice! For knowledge to be gained, one must put in efforts and sometimes, years of hard-earned experience. Seek the wisdom of others, look at things from a different angle (even from critics!) and do what is right.

When there are things to be done in my club, more often than not, I would usually be appointed to do it. For many years, I have found it an honor, and for those who were not appointed, a relief because they think they will never do it so well. In recent years, I make it a point to decline any appointment so that someone else will get to do the job. However, I will fully support the appointee to ensure the project is a success. I hope that my doing so is showing the way for others. I am proud that some of these 'proteges' have grown to be outstanding Lions and Leos. A Lion of 39 years recently told me that he has passed the age of showing others the way; no one looks up to him now. But I believe that as long as we remain as leaders, we have to show others the way, the right way.

Finally, do I not practise what I preach? I think I am going the way by being a leader for others, or rather, I am a leader because others keep following me! And for the right way to be practised, I have to keep going that way. I have to do it and do it right in order that others may learn to do what is right. For example, when no one in our District made any noise about the non-receipt of the monthly The Lion magazines from LCI this year (which we all paid for in our subscription), I took action by highlighting it to our DG, as a leader should. And as a good leader, he immediately took it up with LCI. Leaders DO and not just TALK about it or passing the buck to someone else.

A few Lions asked me recently if I will continue being a Trainer (my term ends 31 Dec 2007). I said 'yes' because I believe as long as I keep learning, I know the right way, I want to keep showing the right way to others and I will continue practising the right way, a leader by example!