Do we need strong leaders?

Let me unpack this question first and analyze this question. To me, the question holds three parts: need-strong-leaders. 'Need' speaks of 'Need/Requirement’. 'Strong' speaks of the 'Intrinsic position' and 'Leaders' speaks of 'Person/Professional'.

My thoughts on ‘Need’ and ‘Need/Requirement’. Do we have needs/requirements? Yes, of course we have. I'll name a few such as safety, security, beauty and freedom. Abraham Maslow and his Five-Basic-Needs-Pyramid talks about these needs and where he categorizes the first need as Physiological/Id driven needs. These most basic human survival needs include food and water, sufficient rest, clothing and shelter, overall health, and reproduction (sex) and as the highest need is Self-Development/Self-Actualization. This need refers to the desire to reach our full potential. According to Maslow, this need can only be met once all of the other needs are satisfied. Others by they way, believe that the Five-Basic-Needs-Pyramid is not sequential (step by step/layer per layer) but circulair and is happening at the same time at all levels. Interesting!

Because of our human Needs/Requirements, we are reactive and responding to matters such as Internet, newspapers, television, radio or social media. This happens when there is a (direct) threat on our basic Needs/Requirements. Some threats are global warming, pollution of our seas by plastic, corruption (politics or business), wars, epidemics, natural disasters, persecution (believers/people groups), child abuse and child trafficking. The latter is horrific. That’s why I am very pleased with the movie ‘Sound of Freedom’ that exposes child trafficking and sexual exploitation. This film came out in July 2023 and has already caused a great stir and anger because the world did not know what was happening under their noses (so, wake up because this is real). Hollywood is shaking on its foundations as darkness and certain persons are revealed doing these terrible crimes. The cast of ‘Sound of Freedom’ includes Jim Caviezel (who played Jesus in the movie ‘The Passion of The Christ’), Eduardo Verástegui, Leo Severino, John Paul DeJoria. These people I consider real leaders and I’m so glad that they stood up! They stand their grounds and say ‘No, not any further’ and have the guts to fight these crimes against humanity. That’s what I call a leader who see a need and deal with the problems!

That’s why I am very pleased with the movie ‘Sound of Freedom’ that exposes child trafficking and sexual exploitation. This film came out in July 2023 and has already caused a great stir and anger because the world did not know what was happening under their noses (so, wake up because this is real).

My thoughts on ‘Strong’ and ‘Intrinsic position’. What is strong? Of course, I’m not talking about the physical body (muscles) but about the mental condition also called mental health. What is mental health? This is the health of your spirit being. I've talked a bit about the ‘spirit’ aspect in my previous article and podcast ‘The Tripartite Man’. If you have a strong mental health (spirit), then you feel balanced and can handle life because you are content with who you are. As a result, you suffer less stress but you can also lead better (yourself and others). Mental health is fueled by values and expectations. As a business coach, guest lecturer and keys activator, I spend a lot of time on values/expectations and in particular someone's Personal Values Profile. Why? Because values are the fundamental beliefs/drivers/ideals of a person. It is the core of what a person drives and from which behavior is shaped and experienced. When there is a personal of business mismatch with an Individual Value Profile or Professional Value Profile, it creates stress and what I call a ‘fighting’ mentality/attitude. Most of time this does not end well! Meaning to say that the individual leaves the organization and in many cases sadly, the good one’s leave first! So, a strong intrinsic leader has a balanced human nature. This nature comes from God who created us and also to take on the roles of leadership. Eg. God said to Adam to cultivate the garden of Eden (paradise) and Adam as a balanced human being did just that! The 10 most common values worldwide are: freedom, honesty, respect, tolerance, justice, equality, peace, kindness, love, and security. If you are interested in your Personal Value Profile, I would be happy to take a Keys DNA profile test with you.

What is mental health? This is the health of your spirit being. I've talked a bit about the ‘spirit’ aspect in my previous article and podcast ‘The Tripartite Man’.

My thoughts on ‘Leaders’ and ‘Person/Professional’. I believe that leadership is observed both personal and professional. For example, I consider a father to be the leader (head) of his household. Of course, the mother plays just as important a role but the functions and positions of fathers and mothers are different. Again, I want to make it clear that I do not undervalue a woman or a mother nor see them as ‘slave’. Just to make sure. However, functions and positions in marriage and family is how God intended it to be as described in the Bible. That’s why I am a great advocate for healthy families. I believe that children should respect their parents and see them as role models. Parents should help their children during their life with advice, love, care and showing them who they are. I belief that healthy families are the cornerstone of society and because of that preventing much misery, pain and abuse. When we especially invest in fathers/men (and young sons), their roles and responsibilities, we actually see great results in society and in a country! We will have much less crime, gangs, murder and other nasty stuff going on.

When I talk about ‘leader’ as a professional, I am talking about an individual who is working in a company, organization, corporate, government, foundation or as an entrepreneur or is a self-employed person (zzp’er). This leader has tasks, responsibilities, objectives, assignments and a mission/vision to achieve. In addition, he or she directs and guide’s people. In both examples, leadership depends on situations. This is why, among other models, I believe in Hersey and Blanchard's Situational Leadership Model (SLM). A situational leader pays close attention to the changing needs of the team, task, and organization. They adjust their leadership style as needed to bring out the best in team members and ensure successful outcomes. The model operates through two behavior patterns ‘Directing’ and ‘Supporting’ and the leader ‘motivates’ (S3), the leader ‘coaches’ (S2), the leader ‘delegates’ (S4) and the leader ‘instructs’ (S1). So, strong leaders take responsibilities in whatever position they operate from!

For example, I consider a father to be the leader (head) of his household. Of course, the mother plays just as important a role but the functions and positions of fathers and mothers are different.

Now that I have unpacked some view points (there is much more to say about this) I like to answer the question ‘Do we need strong leaders?’. My answer is ‘Yes, of course! Although the world is crying out for it, there are not many leaders. Why is this? Unfortunately, many leaders nowadays hold debatable values such as greed and self-centeredness. They are ‘takers’ (self-enrichers) and create greedy, corrupt and sick cultures. Perhaps their business card (or LinkedIn profile) might state CEO, manager or Chairman of the Board, they are not strong leaders because of corruption and unethical behavior. Eventually people and organizations crash because sick leadership. Personally, I believe that ‘Strong leaders should produce strong leaders.

Recently I was a guest at a benefit gala organized by a great foundation. The gala took place at AFAS in Leusden, The Netherlands (see www.afas.nl). I was amazed by the quality and professional appearance of this organization, the people and the building (IT campus). For a moment it seemed as if I had landed in Silicon Valley. As I drove around the building on my way to the parking garage, I saw AFAS employees playing sports at 18:00 hours outside on landscaped padel courts. Inside, I encountered an oasis of quality, colors and building constructions that I could not phantom. The AFAS Dome is spectacular and well known for its shape. The owners, founders (and business leaders) are Piet Mars and Ton van der Veld and they follow the model of ‘Servant Leadership’. In this model servant-leaders serve employees in the workplace and focus on fostering a sense of community and personal growth for employees. Piet Mars says ‘You have to keep getting small. At AFAS it's not about the shareholders but about our customers. AFAS is a community. Everyone is valued, regardless of origin, orientation or religion. AFAS is a model company for many customers because of its positivity and the people who work there. AFAS is healthy with 343 employees, 248 million in sales and lives by Christian values’. You know, because of strong leaders like Piet Mars, people, society, cultures, companies and countries are impacted. And because of their strong leadership roles other business leaders, managers, decision makers and influencers are inspired and motivated and consider their own leadership role and position. That’s when the change starts. So, strong people inspire, motivate and cultivate so others can become strong leaders too!

The owners, founders (and business leaders) are Piet Mars and Ton van der Veld and they follow the model of ‘Servant Leadership’. In this model servant-leaders serve employees in the workplace and focus on fostering a sense of community and personal growth for employees.

Finally, it is my belief that a strong leader is a spiritual leader, who is led according to principles from the Bible, God's Spirit and a divine plan each person has to fulfill. Here again the principle of Spiritual Leadership comes into play. The Bible is full of leaders who have acted according to God's principles, rules and instructions and brought movements, organizations, regions and countries forth with great prosperity, peace and happiness during periods of peace but also war.

So, are you a strong leader? What do people say about you? Your customers? Your wife and children? Your friends. Perhaps more important, how does God see you?