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OCTOBER 2005 MESSAGE

LEAD, KINDLY LIGHT

Recent events in sporting circles, as in others, have set one thinking about teams, motivation, leadership, character and a host of related attributes required to achieve communal goals.

At Cricket, England wins the ashes after two decades at home, and the powerful Australians have at last been toppled from their perch, which they had occupied for so long. What has affected the two teams, one in such a manner as to have them scale heights of achievement long forgotten, and the other, to taste unaccustomed defeat?

Real Madrid, with a galaxy of star footballers with fancy prices on their heads and boots, goes down to its third successive defeat.

Closer to home, even if they are really away, our national cricket team supposedly with world-class individuals, is making relatively difficult work as a team, of humbling a lesser African side of callow youth. There are rumblings of discord and egos being mauled and / or massaged. All food for thought on the necessary constituents for concerted effort, and successful results therefrom.

First, must come values – the kindly light which should draw us in its illumined path, suppressing our selfish needs in the larger interests of the community that we represent. Second, competence in leadership – combined with character. It has been truthfully said that competence can get one to a position of leadership, but it is ultimately character that keeps one there – in genuine acceptance of that position by one’s followers – or team.

While de Bono and other management thinkers are constantly mentioned, even amongst Cricket administrators, I would suggest that our fraternity and its tenets can provide a ready reckoner for success if one were to follow them faithfully. It teaches the values, provides the illumination, and the working tools with which one can arrive at those immortal Mansions whence all goodness emanates. May it lead us all to a better performance of our various duties on and off our respective playing fields!