Can individuals and organizations be managed if they are constantly in a state of chaos? No. For sustained success, they must deliberately be led towards a mutually acceptable goal. Since long, our universities have been training students to become effective managers but not excellent leaders. Family leadership is absent at home as well. Hence, workplaces and our dwellings have become scenes of chaos and stagnation.
Are you a leader?
Why do some organizations thrive for over a century, while others rise and fall only to disappear? Similarly, some families stand out for their balanced achievements and caring relationships, while others suffer broken ties or animosity.
Good management is clearly not enough to sustain any organization or home over the long term. Families and organizations must be led towards success through purpose-driven motivation.
Let’s have a look at what drives real leaders to succeed:
Your people come first
When the Prophet (sa) migrated to Madinah, there was a grave threat of an imminent attack by the Makkans. One night, there was an uproar in Madinah, and people came out of their houses, sensing a threat to the city. The Sahabah saw a man riding in the dark, galloping towards them. It was the Messenger of Allah (sa). He was mounted an unsaddled horse, which meant that he too sensed the danger and rode off in urgency to patrol the city before the others. He then calmed everyone, reassuring them that he had already checked, and it was all under control. The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about those they are privileged to lead and know that it costs them self-interest.
I trust you
Bob Chapman took over as CEO at an American company called Hayssen Sandiacre. The company was in financial distress, and its culture reeked of distrust and unfriendliness. He interviewed an employee of the company to figure out the pulse of the situation. The employee told him: “We enter the same building entrance, but the executives turn left to go to their offices and we go straight into the plant. We have to clock in and out our arrival and departure time, which is not a requirement for others. When the machines we work at break down, we have to inform a supervisor to replace it with the spare parts kept under lock and key. We have bells to inform us about the coffee break time, bathroom break time and lunch hour. The executives have none of that. We have to use the pay phone to call home, whereas the others can use the office phone.” There was a clear trust deficit in the company.
Chapman ordered to take down the clocks from the plant, locks from the spare part cages, and grant access directly to the worker for their respective machines. He also allowed company phones to be used instead of pay phones. No announcements made – just plain action taken. At the end of that year, the company’s revenue increased from USD 55 million to USD 95 million. The workers paid back through harder work and commitment for the trust placed in them.
You shall be protected
Just like you feel safe at your home, your work environment should also be a place of safety. Conversely, when we have to protect ourselves from each other, the whole organization suffers. But when trust and cooperation thrive internally, we pull together, and the company grows stronger as a result.
Companies aspire to hire ‘dream teams’ and float fancy management theories for success. In reality, if human leadership protects an organization from internal rivalries, it can focus on dealing with its competitors and external uncontrollable threats more effectively.
Your dreams are mine
Simon Sinek said something phenomenal: “Every single employee is someone’s son or someone’s daughter. Like a parent, a leader of a company is responsible for their precious lives.”
Companies that treat their employees like people with aspirations, emotions, and fears, not just assets, give them a sense of fulfillment. They are not just head count or human resource. In return, the workers come together to function as a team that feels safe, inspired, and grateful.
A true leader inspires those he leads, enables them to dream a better future, invests in them so that they learn and grow to eventually become leaders themselves.
I will give you chances
True leaders do not change people. They change the culture of the organization from ‘I’ to ‘us’ and from ‘me’ to ‘we’ – a change in perspective. When faults are made, processes are improved, and people are trained better.
If there is one lesson the business world should learn from the Seerah of the Prophet (sa), then that is from the Battle of Uhud. Under Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) command, Muslims faced Abu Sufyan’s army of 3000 Makkans. Initially, the Muslims gained an upper hand, until some Muslim archers breached the Prophet’s (sa) orders and left their position to gather war spoils. This cost the Muslims their victory, left the Prophet (sa) severely injured, and resulted in the martyrdom of seventy companions, including the Prophet’s (sa) beloved uncle Hamza (rtam).
What does Allah (swt) command the Prophet (sa) in the Quran after this incident?
“So by the mercy of Allah, you (O Mohammad) were lenient with them. And if you had you been rude and harsh in heart, they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter.” (Al Imran 3:159)
Why is a Muslim leader like a shepherd?
Once while training his companions, the Prophet (sa) told them that every prophet of Allah (swt) was commanded to tend to a flock of sheep. They inquired: “Were you too?” The Prophet (sa) replied: “Yes, me too. I used to tend to sheep for the people of Makkah for a few pennies.” (Bukhari)
Why was this required? It was the training necessary to prepare them to lead their people in the future. They were specifically asked to herd sheep, not camels or other animals, as people tend to behave much like a flock of sheep that mindlessly follows its leader without regard to the safety or success.
The following verse of the Quran also uses the word ‘Raaioon’ for a leader, who takes care of his subjects with focused care and attention.
“And they who are to their trusts and their promises attentive.” (Al-Muminoon 23:8)
This famous Hadeeth of Prophet Muhammad (sa) highlights our role as leaders in every facet of life: “All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for [your] flock. An Imam is a shepherd and he is responsible for those in his care. A man is a shepherd in respect of his family and is responsible for those in his care. The woman is a shepherd in respect of her husband’s house and is responsible for those in her care. The servant is a shepherd in respect of his master’s property and is responsible for what is in his care. All of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
A shepherd’s leadership skills
Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani was a classic Islamic scholar and a Qadi of Egypt in the fourteenth century. He wrote 150 books and was known for his piety, generosity, humour, and profound knowledge. He highlights the following characteristics that shepherding helps develop in a leader:
- Humility
- Self-sufficiency
- Patience
- Accountability to Allah (swt)
- Alertness to dangers
- Mindfulness of Allah (swt)
- Proactive attitude
Leadership needs of the 21st century in the light of the Seerah
From the Prophet’s (sa) example, current and future aspirants to leadership can learn the following traits:
- The leader adapts his dealing with each follower, based on that follower’s unique personality, skills, and abilities.
- He is answerable for his flock to Allah (swt) and does not own them.
- His decision making is based on the greater good of his flock, and he consults them before decision making.
- He works with patience.
- He feels fulfilled to see his flock grow.
- He is confident in his own judgement and in his flock’s abilities and leads from the front.
Countries like the USA now offer three-day corporate leadership training sessions based on sheep herding.
Prayers and ambitions of Muslim leaders
Should future leadership be a matter of concern for us? Yes. Muslims have always had a tradition of thinking ahead. We were not meant to be oblivious or apprehensive about the future, but we are encouraged to craft a vision for the next generation and prepare them for the new world they will live in.
Ibrahim (as) was a visionary. Look at what he asked from His Lord: “And those who say: Our Lord, grant us from among our wives and offspring comfort to our eyes and make us an example for the righteous.” (Al-Furqan 25:74)
Similarly, Prophet Sulaiman (as) prayed: “My Lord, forgive me and grant me a kingdom such as will not belong to anyone after me. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (Sad 38:35)
Why did he ask for such an exclusive kingdom? To serve Allah (swt) best, initiate change, and benefit Tauhid through his dominion. This proves that we can ask Allah (swt) for a position of authority, if we are confident that we can make a difference.
In the same vein, what did Prophet Yusuf (as) tell the king of Egypt? “Yusuf said: Appoint me over the storehouses of the land. Indeed, I will be a knowing guardian.” (Yusuf 12:55) He knew his abilities well; hence, he offered them to the king for the benefit of his subjects by informing him that he was competent (Aleem) and trustworthy (Hafeez). This shows that we should be aware of our strengths and offer our services in times of need.
What did Shoaib’s (as) daughter suggest to her father about Musa (as)? “One of the women said: O my father, hire him. Indeed, the best one you can hire is the strong and the trustworthy.” (Al-Qasas 28:26)
Musa (as) impressed Shoaib’s (as) daughters, when he assisted them without asking for anything in return, even though he was a stranger to them. Though he was in dire need himself, yet, he initiated a virtuous act as a principled God-fearing man. What did this girl do to return that favour? She recognized his qualities and recommended him for employment to her father.
This also proves that if we are aware of someone’s ability for leadership, we must refer that person to positions of responsibility. This is a communal responsibility.
In conclusion, our homes and organizations should have strong cultures, shared vision and values among team members. We should understand the importance of team work and trust in achieving common goals.
Important qualities of a great leader
- Shows purpose – 35%
- Energizes people – 33%
- Communicates well – 19%
- Carries charisma – 8%
- Has competence – 5%
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