Difference...

What makes an organization different? I am not talking about successful or great organizations but different. Different means making a difference in the world and transforming lives.

 

I was sitting in the back of a conference hall listening to the leaders from 19 hospitals reporting on what has happened over the last year. A few observations from what I heard:

 

1. Leadership with a bigger picture: Leaders who understand why they are doing what they are doing. They have clarity that institutions and organisations are merely platforms to make a difference in the contexts where they are placed. Leaders who prioritise vision and values above  self, people above institution, and larger mandate above money. Their lives open to be transformed and through those changes others are challenged to change too. 

 

2. Leadership in their prime age: One might ask, what is prime age? With our nation having more than 55% of its population under 35 years of age, the average age of leadership should be around the 40s at most. (There might be disagreements on this, but we can agree to disagree.)

3. Leaders who embody integrity: Their lives and practices model a life of clear integrity—moral, financial, ethical, and in all areas of life. They stand for truth and righteousness despite facing various challenges. This applies not only in their personal lives but also in institutional and organisational decisions.

 

4. Reaching out to the less privileged: Leaders who look for ways and innovate systems to care for underprivileged people, spending scarce resources on those at the margins. They are willing to journey with such individuals and families, and they remain open to being transformed through these journeys.

 

5. Identity that is not compromised: Despite being different from other organisations, they do not compromise their identity. They stand firm on their identity and vision, holding on with clarity of thought even when under pressure to dilute what they stand for.

 

6. Willingness to persevere: Amid all the brokenness and challenges, they know there is a greater purpose and a God who has their back. Even when there are multiple opportunities to take on something with much less pressure and fewer challenges, they are willing to hold on.

 

How was this made possible? Three things stand out. First, role models who have gone ahead and lived out these principles in their lives. Second, a clear vision and values that guide the organisation and its leaders. Third, an unseen hand of God who gently guides each of them individually and as institutions.

 

I hope I will have more opportunities to learn lessons like this.