The Expiration of Leaders
Do you carefully look for these two dates—use by and best before, on your grocery items? If you do, you are probably one of the cautious people that watch what they eat.
The two (use by and best before dates) have different implications. The former represents the day after which you should not consume the food item for safety reasons, and the latter represents the date after which the quality begins to diminish. The food may not harm you but will not give you the maximum benefit expected after the best before date.
Let us imagine a loaf of bread that is still within its use-by date, but one can see moulds growing on it upon visual inspection, and perhaps a sniff of the item revealed some unpleasantness. What would you do if you knew? Would you continue to eat the bread?
Saul was a king that ruled in ancient Israel, but no sooner than his reign began, Samuel, a judge at the time, knew that the rule had expired even though it had just barely started. It was like the bread with moulds and unpleasant smell, though still in date was no longer fit for purpose. He did not fulfil his core obligations, and Samuel knew he only occupied the position, but the power and authority were already gone—lost to someone else.
You may have noticed some people in a position of leadership that fit the above description, they have lost trust, power or authority, but they are still there. The bread is already stale, but they wonder why the people would not eat. The people sniff and perceive unpleasant smells, but they still ask that people should enjoy a meal made from the bread and perhaps add some oily spread.
Leaders should take the lead, to lead the way so that others can follow in their footsteps. Many people have such opportunities in an area of life and make good use of the privilege. Some people learn to get better; others struggle but hold the position or function, causing unbearable consequences for their people.
We often have positions with a fixed term, so the leader has some years to lead. Some use them so well, get appointed again or given a similar opportunity in a different place. However, some do not perform as expected, but their term is not yet over. Should they stay on, even when they are no longer relevant or leave to allow others to function in the role and deliver as expected?
It is often true that sometimes some leaders do not want to leave even when they are doing more harm than good to the people and are no longer adding value. They have lost relevance and expired even though they are still in position. Some people may identify such times in the tenure of a leader and demand change. Some may not notice, especially those that have selfish ambitions or interests.
Moreover, the name or label on the bread and expiry date will become irrelevant (even if it is a well-known brand) because it has already failed in its function. It is the same with leadership—it is more about who we are than the label or position we occupy.
Many groups, organisations, communities, and nations are experiencing frustration because of leadership—not fit for purpose. They cannot grow any further than the leaders that preside over them. Some have taken steps to remove leaders that can no longer function to preserve their future. Some leaders will do their people more favour if they leave because there might be a chance for a better future.
Do you think you have gone past your use-by date or best-before as a leader?
Are you following a leader that has expired? I wonder what your answer is likely to be.
If you can no longer function or add value where you are, do something about it or leave so that you do not destroy the future of others and yours. You can decide to make a difference by taking some time to add value to yourself and refocus to maximise the next opportunity.
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