by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 15, 2008 | Current Affairs, Leadership, Politics, Race
The absence of a clear identifiable leader has often been dubbed as the next crisis of Black America. Books have been published, discussions have been held, and news articles have been written. In Black circles, "Where is our next leader?" is like asking "What is the meaning of life?"
Allow me to get straight to the point: Even if we had ONE LEADER, everybody wouldn’t follow the same person.
The Civil Rights Movement united and galvanized us to seek change. As a race, we had one common objective: FREEDOM & EQUALITY. The issue of class existed, however, it took a back seat to the more pressing issue of equality. Once intergration happened, Blacks subconsciously divided into distinct classes with each class having it’s own distinct needs. The needs of the working class are quite different than the needs of the rich. What’s likely to happen is various leaders from each class will emerge and champion the issues of their respective class. Grass roots leaders will speak for & represent the poor and working class. Leaders from the middle-class will seek better housing, education, etc. Leaders from the uppper-class will devise strategies to break the glass ceiling…etc…
Today’s young Black professionals have attained the sort of education, connections, and experience that those before them could only have imagined. They have more potential and more opportunities than any generation before them. This new Black professional sees the business world as the nexus of American power, rather than Capitol Hill. Instead of seeking to effect change through government, this generation is marching through freshly opened doors in the corporate world or building businesses themselves. Rather than "fight the power," this new generation seeks to take the power for themselves and use that power to uplift our race.
Therefore, it is not so much that the next generation does not have any leaders. Instead, THEY ALL WANT TO LEAD. If there are to be leaders, there must be followers, and that is not what this generation is about.
Care to comment…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Apr 12, 2008 | Current Affairs, Events, Leadership, Politics, Race
T.W., a member of our blog family enlightened me about Tavis’ disparaging remarks regarding Presidential hopeful Barack Obama. Here’s her post in context.
"Tavis has made several implications that would make a person (if they
didn’t research and know for themselves) think that Barack is not
fighting for justice or for issues concerning our race. He was very upset that Barack didn’t attend his State of the Black
Union this year and made it seem as if Barack was avoiding talking
about “our” issues. I understood and understand that Barack is in a
fight for the candidacy right now and had to be in whatever state at
that time.
The latest remarks were from Dr. Cornell West saying that he was
bothered and disappointed by Barack not going to Memphis for Dr. King’s
memorial on April 4th. Their sentiments were that he was putting his
candidacy above honoring Dr. King. They stated that he remained silent
on that day yet he spoke about Dr. King and his legacy while he was in
Indiana.
On the April 8th segment of the Tom Joyner show Tavis ended his talk by
saying “If the cost to occupy the White House is to be muzzled and to
render black suffering invisible, then for me, it’s too high a cost." I understand that every black person isn’t going to vote for Barack
just as every woman isn’t going to vote for Hillary but what I don’t
understand is why Tavis thinks that he is the spokesperson for black
people on black issues, especially regarding Barack and his candidacy.
He’s received a lot of backlash from his supporters regarding his
commentaries."
Thanks T.W. – very insightful analysis of the situation.
In my opinion, I’ve decided to nominate both Tavis and Cornell to the "Hateration Federation." Both Tavis and Cornell can give the keynote address at the annual Hateration Convocation. Make sure the servers continuously fill their glasses with "Haterade" while they continue to hinder progress.
That’s right – I said it!
What’s your take?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 31, 2008 | Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Vision
Questions I Ponder Daily…
#1 – How can I serve God with all my heart, mind, and soul…
#2 – How can I be a better husband…
#3 – How can I be a better father…
#4 – Is there anything in my life that I need to stop doing…
#5 – Is there anything in my life that I should start doing…
(By the way…the answer to #5 is YES…but in order for it to happen I REALLY need to wrestle with question #4!)
#6 – Will the majority of our members ever move from membership to discipleship…
#7 – How can I be more efficient in the way I use my time…
#8 – Why, out of all the people on this planet, is God allowing me to be a part of what He is doing…
#9 – Will I ever rejoin our denomination’s convention…
#10 – Will Mars Hill ever become a church with multiple locations…
So, what about you – what’s on your mind?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 5, 2008 | Leadership
1. KEEPING PEOPLE PAST THEIR EXPIRATION DATE. I’m what you call an eternal optimist. My first instinct is to see the best in people and work to bring it out in the open. I’ve sent people to conferences, personally mentored them, invested time and resources into their development only to be disappointed.
Dismissing a person is never easy, sometimes it’s inevitable. From experience, I’ve learned that the first person you fire is ALWAYS the most difficult. Before I replace someone, I ask myself: "Does the person really need to be replaced?"
A sharper focus can be gained by asking:
1. Is the person’s ineffectiveness, poor leadership, or example blocking the progress of the ministry?
2. How much harm is being done?
3. What if the position goes vacant for a while (one of my favorite questions)?
4. What standard am I using to measure job effectiveness? Sometimes we measure people against impossible standards. We must distinguish between someone who cannot do a job from someone who can but lacks the necessary skills.
The right people
don’t need to be managed–they just need to be pointed in the right direction.
Jim Collins said, "If the person came to tell you that he or she is leaving to
pursue an exciting new opportunity, would you feel terribly disappointed or
secretly relieved?" If you’d be relieved, it’s time for them to go.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 4, 2008 | Empowerment, Leadership
2. PUTTING PROJECTS BEFORE PEOPLE. Ecclesiastes
7:18 says, "The man who fears God will avoid all extremes."
This is
one of those areas where we need to embrace the tension between relating with
people and accomplishing the mission/getting the job done. Ask specifically: "Is there anything I can do for you?"
You communicate how much you value someone by simply asking the question. Sometimes it’s nice to do something for another person without them asking or surprising them. But if you’re not a good guesser and you don’t have psychic abilities, just ask. Often, when I get home from work, I know there are two things I can say that will encourage my wife:
1) I’d really like to hear about your day,
2) Is there anything I can do for you?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Mar 2, 2008 | Empowerment, Leadership
3. TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM RATHER THAN THE PROCESS. A problem is an obstacle which makes it difficult to achieve a
desired goal, objective or purpose. Furthermore, it refers to a situation,
condition, or issue that is yet unresolved. In a broad sense, a problem
exists when an individual becomes aware of a significant difference
between what actually is and what is desired.
Although pastoring has many positives, problems run parallel on twin tracks. Trying to fix the problem rather than the process is like continuing to change diapers instead of potty-training your children.
May I offer you a piece of unsolicited advice:
You can either continue to react to the problem, or you can fix the process. 90% of the time it’s a systems-problem rather than a people-problem.
