If we take a look at a number of organizations that we are familiar with, we will discover that most organizations differ from one another on a number of things: their mission, their vision, their scope and most importantly, their competitive advantage. A competitive advantage talks about certain unique set of values or qualities that places an organization far above its competitions. Now, one thing that effective leadership does is to establish the organization’s competitive advantage and then leverage on it for sustainable organizational growth.
Listen to Podcast: How to Promote Sustainable Competitive Advantage Through Effective Leadership
For example, the whole nation of Egypt had a competitive advantage over other nations simply because one man was effective in handling the affairs of the nation when things were really bad. As a matter of fact, people traveled from different places to Egypt just to find help during the great famine. In Genesis 42:1-2 and 5, the Bible says: “when Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, Jacob said to his sons, ‘why do you look at one another?” And he said, “indeed I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down to that place and buy for us there, that we may live and not die.” And the sons of Israel went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.”
So, what can we see from this account? While there was grain in Egypt, other adjoining cities and nations suffered acute poverty and lack, and therefore, Egypt became the epicenter of trade and a booming economy. You see, an organization can edge out its competitors through effective leadership and there are a number of ways through which this can happen, but I will be showing us just two of them with case studies from the word of God.
#1. The Leader Must Be Strategic in his/her Thinking
One of the things that is expected of a leader is the ability to think strategically. Strategic thinking is simply an intentional or rational thought process that focuses on the analysis of critical factors and variables that will influence the long-term success of an organization. Now, let us go back to the case study of Egypt and see how the leaders were strategic in their thinking before the famine even happened. Genesis 41:25-36, the Bible says:
“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 And the seven thin and ugly cows which came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty heads blighted by the east wind are seven years of famine. 28 This is the thing which I have spoken to Pharaoh. God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do. 29 Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; 30 but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. 31 So the plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will be very severe. 32 And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.”
Now see where the strategic thinking of an effective leader comes in from verse 33.
“Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the citiesleadership. 36 Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt, that the land may not perish during the famine.”
#2. The Leader must carry along his followers/his team every step of the way
“Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.”
Joshua 6:1-5
In this case study above, Jericho was the competition and we saw how Joshua, their leader, carried the people along every step of the way, following instructions and telling them what must be done so that they could possess the city. You as the leader, don’t just be strategic in your thinking alone, always make sure that you carry the rest of the team along in your strategic thinking for the organization so that every one can be on the same page with you.
I believe you have learnt something!
This is where we are going to draw the curtains on today’s episode of Leaderview. Please don’t forget to share this podcast with your friends, drop your comments in the comments section and let me know your thoughts on what we have shared with ourselves today. Till next time on Leaderview, stay blessed and God bless you.
[Centre for New Dimension Leadership]
