Written by: Gerry Couchman
Article source: JOY! Magazine
As I write this, I’m sitting at a Global Leadership Partner Meeting in Chicago. There are 700 folk from 135 countries in one room. These are leaders with a passion to develop leaders in their own countries. Culturally we are all so different, but all facing the same two most important challenges: corruption and poor leadership!
Don’t just complain
Out of all the countries present, only Norway and Singapore could say that they were corruption-free! Everyone is also in agreement that corruption is the number one driver of poverty. Corruption hurts the poor more than anyone! If the whole world knows this, why do we, as Christians, tolerate and ignore something that is so opposed to the core values that we profess to hold so dear? We all moan and whine about our governments and corrupt leaders, but that’s all most of us ever do!
Why are churches so quiet?
The question Raja Singh, a GLS speaker, challenged us with was, “Is there a cure for corruption?” What do you think? If we have an answer, why aren’t we actioning it? Why aren’t we coming together and saying that enough is enough! Is it because it hasn’t directly hurt our families? Why are our churches so quiet on the subject?
Times have changed
50 years ago, my dad did large business deals on a handshake. A man’s word was his bond. Promises made could be absolutely trusted. This was a society norm! Sadly, this is no longer the case. Today, billions go missing and we hold commissions of enquiries that take years, and very few – if any – are prosecuted.
Honesty is the best policy
In India, most local folk will tell you that it is impossible to do business without offering or receiving a bribe. They call this ‘normal life’! Raja Singh, a strong Christian and CEO of a prominent chartered accounting company, made a personal decision years ago that he and his company would never offer or receive a bribe in order to conduct business. This he has stayed true to for the past four decades, and his company is thriving because everyone knows they are honest!
Take the first step of integrity
Raja will tell you that it hasn’t always been easy, but to fight corruption takes leaders living with integrity in their sphere of influence. Once you have a reputation of integrity, the pressure on you to do corrupt things, declines dramatically! Take the first step, and see how each step thereafter becomes easier!
The choice is yours!
Friends, this corruption epidemic is on our watch! Let’s all ensure that we build reputations of integrity! Let’s teach our children to live with integrity, so that this can be passed from generation to generation. A life of integrity leads to divine favour. Let’s all raise our voices, and regenerate our society. The poor and the voiceless are depending on us!
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Date published: 17/09/2019
GERRY & JANINE Couchman are the Regional Director & Co Leader of the Global Leadership Network SA, an NPO that hosts the Global Leadership Summit each year. Contact Gerry & Janine: janine@globalleadership.org.za
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