Islam focuses more of its attention on the individual person who manages or the people who are managed, and much less on the methodologies and processes of management. Islam defines the qualities that make a good manager as; work as an act of worship, fulfill all contracts, keeping promises, loyalty to employer, no kickbacks, do not fight for leadership, build trust, always be truthful, be optimistic, admit mistakes, avoid pride, time management, seek and share knowledge, manage anger, aim for excellence, and be just (Moran, Abramson, Moran, pp. 304-305).
I feel that there is a lot that can be learned from these views on leadership. In most work places, employees will strive to become leadership and fight to get to that position. I agree with the approach that Islam takes to fighting to become a leader. Becoming a leader should not come from how well you position yourself over time. It should come from proving to your team that you have the qualities that would make you a good leader (Moran, Abramson, Moran. Pp. 305).
To obtain this recognition from your team I feel that it is important to spend time on admitting mistakes, aiming for excellence, and seek/sharing knowledge (Moran, Abramson, Moran, pp. 305). As a leader one should always seek knowledge. I feel that Islam’s view on seeking knowledge is much like Plato’s view. Plato believed to be a guardian, his term for leadership, you must rely upon the value of a good education (Plato: The State and the Soul).
Applying these principles, followers who wish to become management could achieve this goal. I could also use these principles in my career to help me progress to management. I am a firm believer in proving yourself worthy of management and not having it given to you due to your positioning.
Reference:
- Moran, R. T., Abramson, N. R., & Moran, S. V. (2014). Managing Cultural Differences (9th ed.). Oxford: Routledge
- Kemerling, G. (n.d.). Plato: The State and the Soul. Retrieved July 02, 2017, from http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/2g.htm
Picture Credit: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/operational-principles-islamic-managerial-leadership-qureshi
John,
I enjoyed reading your blog. I have to say that I was a bit more undereducated on the actual religion of Islam than I should have before I started this course. After I had to look into it though I was very amazed at how much it has to do with leadership. There are so many laws that help those in the Islamic faith to be better people while in turn becoming wonderful leaders. Given the disrespect that the Islamic faith receives I believe that if people could read about what they actually stand for, just as you mentioned, they would find their structure to be very successful. Great post!
-Morgan
John,
I feel as though most organizations/nations strive to follow a similar set of principles to guide their leadership. I completely agree, as you stated, that you must prove your worthiness as a leader before you can call yourself one. Hundreds of years ago being a leader may have been handed down as a birthright, but in many developed nations today it is earned through hard work and dedication to the organization.
Some wise words from my favorite quarterback, Ben Roethlisberger, “Leadership is something you earn, something you’re chosen for. You can’t come in yelling, ‘I’m your leader!’ If it happens, it’s because the other guys respect you.”
Great post John!