Business Leaders Can Be Heralds

JUN MARFORI

Many people find the Lord’s presence and voice in meditative silence or at quiet times of prayer as I do. I find him in all different circumstances and milieu. I experience his pervasive but not invasive presence, even in my profession.

As a Management Consultant, I often partner with organizations. We develop or reinforce effective leadership qualities. My task is to expand my capability and learn from the “giants” – through leaders and the visionaries-and personalize them to others, who are tasked to lead people and entities more successfully into the future.

One such leader in the last decade is Simon Sinek. He is a respected voice, with books and videos of a large following as proof. An example is his popular youtube video entitled “How great leaders inspire action.” He shares, “There are leaders, and there are those who lead. Leaders hold a position of power or authority, but those who lead inspire us.”

Sinek explains that these individuals start with the “Why,” often called their vision. Those who are inspired by such leaders take these leaders’ “Why” for their own. Ultimately, he says, “Whether they are individuals or organizations, we follow those who lead not because we have to, but because we want to.”

This resonated well with me. It reinforces our nature as social beings. Hence with/without power or authority, we encounter and interact with others. In so doing, we can and do influence, affect everyone we come in contact with, briefly, or even over a lifetime. Our “Why” then manifests who we are; our “Why” can and will touch others’ lives.  

We, the Christian faithful, who just celebrated the significant season of Advent, can reflect on the person of St. John the Baptist, conceived at quite an advanced age of both Zechariah and Elizabeth. With no pomp or gaiety, his birth marked the beginning of the life journey of singular purpose, led people to renewal, and followed the soon-to-be-born Jesus. St. John’s “Why” was to point others to the Lord; for this, He was born and lived; for this purpose, his life would come to an end.

THE YEAR AHEAD

With Advent that just passed and the context of expectant and joyful faith, heralding a new year of fresh beginnings, is it worth to look inside ourselves, reflect on our recent past, and our path forward?

As a leader, as an individual, and with the capacity and faculties to interact with others, how have I been? What mark have I left behind this year? Have I made a positive impact on people? What was my visible “Why” and life testimonial? And how did this manifest in my encounter with others? Have they become more or less? Are they now more poised to be not who they were born, but who they can be?

FRESH BEGINNINGS

I acknowledge the opportunity of new beginnings in my 2021 journey and pray that my “Why” may inspire others to become more gentle, generous, compassionate, and nobler, and true. I seek to mirror the “herald” in St. John the Baptist and lead people to greater contentment and genuine appreciation of their talents and gifts, a keener awareness of their potential and capacity; and in so doing, reach out to others too, and become like “lampstands,” beacons of hope and renewal, for others.

Amidst this pandemic may this season of grace-filled experience not only with the abundance of giftedness and joy but equally with the realization that in our daily lives, our intentional focus on the life-giving “Why” can herald inspiration and renewal in the lives of others.