Dr. Bolaji Aluko wears two hats--that of a scholar and preacher--to make a comment on Spartacus' preceding piece:

 
 
Spartacus R.'s contribution (Dialogue 302: Leadership and Self-Determination) is very insightful and in fact inspiring, to my mind.  To be informed of his connection with "Osibisa" - on of my favorite high school music bands - is even icing on the cake !  [One of their songs is humming in my head right now.]

I particularly liked the distinction between Teacher and Leader, and the tension involved in people trying to force leadership on Teachers, and such Teachers not knowing precisely the difference or expectations of those who then choose to follow them.    I believe that this insight is relevant because on this list many of us academics who are primarily Teachers are forced into or take on leadership roles in organizations - which are invaluable in moving agendas forward - because of our academic qualifications and ability to articulate ideas.  However, because of the inherent contradictions between the two roles, not too many of us succeed as leaders, I fear, but I stand to be corrected.
 
My own major distinction between Teacher/Student,  Leader/Follower relationships - and the third dichotomy of Ruler/Ruled which Spartacus R. did not mention - is that while a Teacher provides Thoughts, Insights, Ideas and Knowledge to his Students, and very importantly invites Questions from them, a Leader provides Instructions to his Followers, and most often discourages questions from them, many of who willingly (or blindly) go to him asking for Directions instead.    So a Teacher will invariably be a Leader in certain ways, but a Leader need not be a Teacher. On the other hand, a Ruler maintains "leadership" grip by fear of sanction of the Ruled, a power that a Teacher or Leader need not inherentlyexercise.
 
I also liked Spartacus R.'s distinction of POS (Power over Self)/self-determination (more in tune with Teacher role) and POO (Power over Others), the latter contradicting POS and being more in tune with Leadership and particularly Rulership roles.
 
Finally, if we read the New Testament carefully, Jesus Christ made this distinction very clearly.  His followers, particularly his Twelve Disciples,  actually regarded him more as Teacher rather than Leader, while he regarded himself as a Servant-Leader.  This is also why, when He died, they were able to propagate His thoughts far and wide and until this day, a propagation of ideas and replenishment of self  which Spartacus R.'s mentions as being the mark of a Leader.
 
The following passages in the Bible bring these aspects of Jesus Christ as Leader out very clearly:
 
 
QUOTE
 
"TouchPoints for Leaders: God's Answers for Your Daily Needs", pp 148-152;  Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Wheaton, Illinois ( 2004)  Visit http://www.tyndale.com/ .
 
JESUS CHRIST AS LEADER
 
         What can I learn from Jesus as a leader?
 
         Matthew 5:21-22 You have heard that the law of
         Moses says, ... But I say...
        
         John 8:31-32 Jesus said to the people who believed in
         him, "You are truly my disciples if you keep obeying my
         teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will
         set you free."
 
         Leaders define reality by developing a worldview and
         perspective that enables them to interpret life from the
         eternal vantage point of God's truth. The truth, even
         when it's hard, sets people free from ignorance and
         deception. Jesus is truth and sets the standard for truth.
        
         John 5:19 Jesus replied, "1 assure you, the Son can do
         nothing by himself.  He does only what he sees the Father
         doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does."
        
         John 15:5 Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches.
         Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much
         fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
 
         Leaders submit themselves to the ultimate Leader, God.
        
         Mark 3:14 Then he selected twelve of them to be his
         regular companions, calling them apostles.
 
         Mark 6:7 And he called his twelve disciples together
         and sent them out two by two.
 
         Leaders develop teams in community, sharing life and
         responsibilities, and gaining strength from mutual
         encouragement and accountability.
        
         Matthew 7:28-29 After Jesus finished speaking, the
         crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one
         who had real authority-quite unlike the teachers of
         religious law.
 
         Leaders teach with insight and practical wisdom.
        
         John 8:46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin?
 
         Leaders practice what they preach.
        
         Matthew 10:1 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him
         and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal
         every kind of disease and illness.
 
         John 16:13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will
         guide you into all truth.
 
         Leaders equip and release those they lead. They
         provide the wisdom and experience necessary, then let
         go and allow others to take responsibility for the tasks.
        
         Luke 10:17, 20 When the seventy-two disciples
         returned, they joyfully reported to him, "Lord, even the
         demons obey us when we use your name!"... "Don't
         rejoice just because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your
         names are registered as citizens of heaven."
 
         Leaders keep the priorities clear. The disciples were
         excited to see the power of God at work through them,
         but Jesus reminded them that the most important fact
         was the love of God for them.
        
         Mark 10:45 For even I the Son of Man, came here
         not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a
         ransom for many.
 
         Leaders have a clear sense of mission and dedicate
         themselves to fulfilling that mission.
        
         Acts 1:8 But when the HolySpirit has come upon you,
         you will receive power and will tell people about me every-
         where-in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and
         the ends of the earth.
 
         Leaders cast a specific vision for those they lead.
        
         John 8:44 He (the Devil) was a murderer from the
         beginning and has always hated the truth. There is no truth
         in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for
         he is a liar and the father of lies.
 
         Leaders expose lies and falsehood so that others can
         think clearly and respond wisely.
        
         Matthew 23:27-28 How terrible it will be for you
         teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites!..
         You try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside
         your hearts are filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.
 
         Leaders confront tough situations and people who are
         harming others.
        
         Luke 9:23, 62 If any of you wants to be my follower,
         you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your
         cross daily, and follow ... .. Anyone who puts a hand to
         the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of
         God.
 
         Leaders expect the most from those they lead and push
         them to their limits.
        
         Luke 22:29 - 30 Just as my Father has granted me a
         Kingdom, I now grant you the right to eat and drink at my
         table in that Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging
         the twelve tribes of Israel.
 
         Leaders express their love and gratitude
 
         Luke 7:44-46 Look at this woman kneeling here.
         When I entered your home, you didn't offer me water to
         wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with
         her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn't give me
         a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and
         again from the time I first came in. You neglected the
         courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed
         my feet with rare perfume.
 
         Leaders accept expressions of genuine love and grati-
         tude.
        
         Matthew 26:37-36 He took Peter and Zebedee's
         two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with
         anguish and deep distress. He told them, "My soul is
         crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and
         watch with me."
 
         Leaders are vulnerable. Jesus revealed his anguish and
         expressed his need for the disciples' support as he
         prayed in Gethsemane, just before his arrest.
        
         John 13 : 1 - 5 Before the Passover celebration, Jesus
         knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return
         to his Father. He now showed the disciples the full extent of
         his love..... .. So he got up from the table, took off his robe,
         wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a
         basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe
         them with the towel he had around him.
 
         Leaders serve those they lead in practical, sacrificial,
         humbling ways.
        
         John 19:18, 30 There they crucified him.... It is
         finished!" Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
 
         Leaders pay the price of love in leadership. None of us
         will ever compare with Jesus' sacrifice in a literal sense,
         but all leaders often have to suffer and sacrifice to serve
         those they lead.
        
         PROMISE FROM GOD:
 
         John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world that he gave his
         only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will
         not perish but have eternal life.  God did not send his Son
         into the  world to condemn it, but to save it.
 
UNQUOTE
 
 
 
 

--