Leadership lessons from a friend’s life….

A man, who had a safe and secure, culturally acclaimed government job, who threw this away at his middle age, not knowing what the future will hold. Joining a small mission organization, with no surety of the future, but a great vision and compassionate heart. A step in faith because of a heart and a vision he had.

His heart was for – the then, most marginalized and rejected people of his and neighbouring states, who were dying of an incurable illness, rejected because of their behaviour, marginalized because of their illness, the Injecting drug users in Manipur and neighbouring states. His vision – a kingdom, where such rejection and pain will not be there, where the most marginalized can find comfort and care, a nation which will be free from such stigmatizing illness, and context where people in the margins can find unconditional acceptance which can lead to potential life transformation.

Compassion, passion and vision together with a big picture vision on one hand but effectively translated to changed individual lives on the other hand.

And the way he went about it?

Holding this big picture close to his heart, constantly moved with compassion, was found most of the initial days, in the homes and places where these marginalized people would come together, would clean their wounds, get them medicines, get them free needles and syringes, (SNEP) and any other support required. When the state or national systems were not even thinking about such initiatives, he initiated them, paving the path for national policy on this later. This was in 1990s, and till today, he still breathes this passion and compassion.

And over the next 20 years or so, he would true to his ancestry, going back to becoming a head hunter. Find people – hunt heads for a greater purpose -  who have some kind of a desire to reach out to those in need, envision them, given them the passion – many from the communities who were being cared for itself, and lead them in this journey of compassion and care. And in this coming along side, he let loose a whole army of compassionate care providers into North Eastern states and the nation at large. You will find people in many national and international organizations and some in leadership positions, who had been influenced by this humble head hunter. (I being one such).

And the latter years, one would find him gently and quietly walking into the offices of powers – National and international organizations and quietly, gently but powerfully influencing and challenging paradigms of thinking of leaders and policy makers. The impact of these cannot be measured but from the little I know, this had phenomenal effect on the context of HIV and IDU interventions in India and the region today. A mover and shaker, who was never seen as one, but with his gentleness moved many to new paradigms of thinking.  I have experienced this multiple times in my own leadership roles, he walking in and challenging my thinking.

Though such a silent revolutionary, he was at the same time a humble companion for many young leaders and potential leaders. He is gentleness personified, humility role modeled and servant hood demonstrated daily, in his life.

And all this, coming out of a close relationship to God, a deep faith, an intense passion for the gospel and reflective life style. I owe much to this elder brother and friend, Langkham….

Leadership lessons - Great vision and compassionate heart, steps in faith, Compassion, passion and vision together, a desire for changed individual lives, found working at the grass roots, pioneering and initiating, finding people and coming alongside them, and influencing them. At the same time, influencing and challenging paradigms of thinking of leaders and policy makers. Silent revolutionary, a humble companion, humility role modelled, servant hood demonstrated.

Foundations - close relationship to God, a deep faith, an intense passion for the gospel and reflective life style