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The saying "he alone can command who knows how to obey"
highlights the importance of obedience in leadership. A successful society
requires coordination between various components, and this involves command from
some and execution from others. Not everyone possesses the same talents, and
some must learn from others before they can become leaders.
Leadership is a rare skill, but it can be developed. Great men
of industry, doctors, and lawyers often begin as apprentices to a master from
whom they learn the art of their respective trade. They may have the basic
knowledge and fundamental skills, but obedience is essential for them to become
leaders. The apprentice must obey his master, and this calls for humility, hard
work, sustained interest, and above all, obedience.
Obedience is crucial in various professions. Young doctors, for
instance, must sweat and labor in an operation theatre before they can become
successful surgeons. Soldiers learn the first lesson of obedience as soon as
they wear the uniform. Unquestioned and unstinted obedience is required in the
military. Great generals must learn the value of obedience the harder way.
Leadership needs discipline and dedication.
Leaders must understand the value of obedience and how things
can go wrong when obedience is lacking. A business magnate, for example,
insisted that all those who worked under him must be punctual. If anyone was
late, he fined them. If he was not punctual, he would pay the fine himself to
set an example.
A story about a king shows that even a king must obey. One
night, the king heard a man and woman talking in a house. He had prior
information that the man of the house was away and that the fidelity of the
woman was questionable. He knocked on the door and was surprised to see the man
of the house there. Apologizing, the king returned to his palace. The next
morning, the man came to the king and complained that a man had come and knocked
on his door the previous night. The king cut off his own hand as punishment,
showing that even a king must obey.
In conclusion, those who would command must know how to obey.
Obedience is an essential aspect of leadership that calls for humility, hard
work, sustained interest, discipline, and dedication. Great leaders must learn
the value of obedience before they can expect others to obey them. |
