6. BRIDGING THE GAPS

 6. BRIDGING THE GAPS

(To take the blame for the mistake of self or crew and bridge the gaps smoothly)

1. Accepting Others

Deleting the Discriminations:

Most of the evilness towards one person or a group by another person or a group occurs because of intolerance, due to discrimination in the heart. We must be very clear that the discriminations made by human beings based on any regard are arbitrary and not valid if we look at the life of man from the beginning. A good leader not only avoids discrimination but also wipes out discrimination completely from the core of the heart to make his conscience clear that everyone should be accepted and treated with the same respect and that the opportunities they need are given equally.

Decoding the Dependence:

Though certain people are extremely proud of their possessions, position, or power, it is inevitably true that there is a strong dependence between human beings and no one would be able to live alone in this world. At least everyone needs support at the beginning of their life and during the last part of their life. Life is easier just because of fellow human beings who make things, modify things, and maintain things, though it may even involve some of the gains for themselves. A good leader decodes the dependency accepts everyone and helps everyone to utilize the best of their potential.

Standing with the least:

Accepting everyone doesn’t mean that a person should acknowledge and bear everything that another person does when it is a wrong thing. Accepting a person is always essential though he does wrong, it is more essential that a person should realize the wrong and should not pursue it and the person should realize that the wrong affects the self or others. There are certain times when the wrong is appreciated when it is against the least and by the dominant one. But a good leader should always be straightforward and should stand for what is right and hold his hand to the least to build them up.

Oppose the opposition, not opposers:

There will be surely times of trouble even within the group because they want to stand alone or want to be recognized. Because of their pride, they will neither be constructive nor allow the deeds of others to be constructive. There will be strong criticism and opposition that hinders the progress of something. A good leader will always welcome criticism and analyze the self whether there is any scope for correction and neglect the same when there is nothing in it. A good leader doesn’t take the opposition and the criticisms personally and never be carried by it and even wants those who oppose to set their attitude and actions aright.

Activity

Fixing a puzzle as a group

There will be different pictures in two or more sheets of paper depending upon the no of members. Each picture will be cut into 3-5 pieces depending on the no of participants to be present in the groups. Every participant will receive a piece of a picture and they have to find the other members who have the pieces of the picture to complete it, without talking to one another. All the participants may form a group of 3-5 members, after finding their associates.

2. Being accountable and Responsible

Things that were taken:

Everyone always wants to be engaged and we voluntarily involve ourselves in the things we are interested in or things that benefit us and fulfill some of our needs. Though there might be different reasons for taking up certain duties or responsibilities, it is an absolute necessity to be accountable and responsible towards certain things that we have taken upon ourselves, as we are obliged to take care of them. A good leader will think a lot before taking up some responsibility but never turns back without fulfilling it, because of the accountability he holds.

Things that were given:

We live in a very integrated world and if we try to be so focused on just chasing what we had planned without considering others, we will surely mess up in some relationships or the trust the other person has over us. We would not be able to take up everything that others want us to do, because of our limitations but we should consider certain things that we can do and have the responsibility as it is ours and be accountable for accomplishing it.

Things that we get benefit:

There are certain things that we may not have taken or something that is not given by others, but generally, we would benefit from it. Instances of the things that we get benefitted are the air we breathe from the trees, the water we take out from the land, and the public places that we utilize. We have a responsibility towards those things that we take benefit though we may not have an interest in or though no one enforces or wishes us to take care of it. A good leader is always careful to be responsible for the things that benefit mankind and be accountable to them.

Things that we come across:

It’s impossible to help everyone or take care of everything in need by being everywhere, though we may hear so many things about the world we live in and want to help the victims or act against the atrocities. We should at least act against the atrocities towards someone or something that we come across or support someone or something in real need.

Things that were hidden:

Responsibility and accountability are not just heeding some superior or a famous person, without analyzing the intentions behind, just because we get benefitted in some way. We should always be sure about what we are doing and how it is contributing to something. We cannot just say that it was done as per the instruction of someone and we had just done our part. Everyone is responsible individually for acting upon something though they had contributed to something negative as a whole and should take responsibility.

3. Taking Blame for mistakes

Be firm to attempt good:

Good is not something that most people follow but it is something that doesn’t exploit anyone or anything for selfish gain and considers the well-being of someone or something and even many at times. Sometimes there will be someone or some group of people who would resist the good that is attempted for the common good because of selfish gain, but a good leader should always be firm in attempting good that is for the common gain, though there may be disapproval from some and there may be difficulties and challenges.

Cover the wrong with good:

In the process of attempting to do something good, there might be some serious threats and suffering that could be initiated by the opposers. It’s necessary to have some safety measures though a good leader might not fight back by harming intentionally. There should be a clear plan of action and support from genuine people to fight back the opposition while doing something good. A good leader is transparent, calculates the cost of everything, and is a shield to the dependent people.

Create pathways for protection:

In the process of attempting to do something good, there might be some serious threats and suffering that could be initiated by the opposers. It’s necessary to have some safety measures though a good leader might not fight back by harming intentionally. There should be a clear plan of action and support from genuine people to fight back the opposition while doing something good. A good leader is transparent and calculates the cost of everything and is a shield to the dependent people.

Pursuing forward without holding back:

It is necessary to make progress by pursuing forward at all times, though there might be obstacles in front. A good leader never turns back after looking at some obstacle or difficulty but tries his best to overcome the difficulties and consider it as a challenge to face. At times we may need to recheck, reflect, and relearn things to make a better move, but we should never hold back without doing anything. A good leader never stops moving forward though there may be some stopping points which will be just resting points to continue further.

4. Finding the Solutions

Get along with others:

It is not possible to provide an appropriate solution for the problem of the people around, without getting along with them and trying to find out what exactly they think and go through. If a person tries to provide a solution by just knowing the problem superficially, then it would not be much appealing and the root cause of the problem would not be really solved. A good leader will always be with the people and really knows inner needs and resolves things in a much more efficient way, avoiding maximum error.

Move closely by partaking:

There need not be always someone who is leading in the front and guiding the people to do something for their own good. There should be also times in which we should be partaking in certain things to support the people in their practices and welfare, which doesn’t contradict the basic standards or values. Partaking in the right things along with the people will help to make better connections and build the closeness to contribute or get benefits.

Counsels and the Guidance:

When there are people who can do things, it is always necessary to give it in their hands, for them to take the responsibility and carry forward without any hindrance. A good leader is always cautious to consider the ability and capability of the people around and helps them to utilize their gifts and talents and allows when someone wants to try something, without interrupting, and by just giving valuable counsel and guidance.

Choosing the right alternatives:

Everything might not be smooth and well going, as it was planned and thought of in the beginning. Also, there might be different ways of doing the same things. A good leader shares suggestions and welcomes the suggestions from others too, and carefully analyses what is best from all the alternatives irrespective of who had shared it. A good leader always calculates the pros and cons and helps the crew choose the option that has more pros and fewer cons.

Utilizing the right opportunity:

We need to be little flexible to change certain things when there are appropriate opportunities around. Certain things are not very sure and there will be things falling in line only after a particular point in time. Also, we might have some other plans and proceedings already going on. But we should be able to balance things and utilize the best opportunities to gain certain things and we might have to lose certain things too.

Be guided by higher standards:

Nothing should carry us forward and we should not be just doing something just because there is a gain out of it. Always we should ask why, before initiating or doing things by ourselves or because of the lead of others. Also, we should never forget about the values we need to have which should never be compromised. A good leader not only leads others according to their needs but also leads according to the higher standards and principles that are kept for the self, to recheck and realign the attitude to what is right.

5. Fixing things appropriately

Be available for those in need:

There are always people who may be lesser than others. It is always possible to manage though certain things are lesser if a person has some of the basic needs. But it is always appreciable to be available for those who don’t even get their basic needs, instead of waiting for them to approach us to tell them their need. A good leader is always approachable and always approaches those who are in real need.

Be a comfort by combining with the hurt:

It’s good to cherish with those who cherish but it is worthwhile to be with those who are hurt and need some sort of comfort. A good leader always chooses his presence amid the people who are in need and need encouragement and support, rather than those who are already in comfort and joy, when there is a situation to prioritize. It is the affected people and the mourning people who need someone to lift them up and the people, who are in joy, just share their joy to get more joyful.

Supporting the Weak to come up:

The feeble people are needy people who need someone’s hands to come up. Being weak doesn’t mean, a person has less potential or is incapable of something. A person who is able and has all potential but lacks the physical or mental health to pursue something could be because of drawing boundaries around the self or lack of exposure towards something. A little support and encouragement are sufficient for the weak person to build confidence and initiate certain things.

Keeping what is right at all costs:

Compromising on the values and what is right is always easier and expected in different circumstances and situations of life. Sometimes, the circumstances and situations don’t just involve the self but also involve others and the beneficiaries, which makes it very difficult to stand for what is right, as the work will not be complete. Still, it is necessary to fight against what is not right, in all situations or circumstances without acknowledging the other person’s wrong, whatever the cost is to pay. A good leader helps the other person to realize their mistake in a polite way when they are in the mess, though it may aggravate their anger or hatred.

Remembering the Good Deeds:

Everyone has something right on their part, though many things are not right. A good leader always remembers the good deeds that a person does and the good thoughts that a person has and helps the person to grow and realize the other deeds or thoughts that are not right. Also, a person should be accepted as he or she is, and should never be judged based on their actions, but just be cautious and convicting about their unacceptable deeds or thoughts. There are many times that we remember only the wrong a person does, but it will make the person feel rejected and continue in his deviated direction.

Fix the Root cause rightly:

Problems are part and parcel of our lives that help us be molded and find novel solutions for our lives. Problems should never break us, but always build us, then our lives will be joyful and successful. Self-realization and self-actualization help us find solutions for all the problems within us and outside us. Also, it helps us to set the root cause of the problems within us aright and also helps us to fight back with full strength and confidence to set the root cause of the problems outside us aright. 

Activity

Drawing the human being: 

All the participants may form a group of 5-8 members with some grouping activity. There will be paper and a pen for each group. The group members have to stand in line, behind one another at a distance of 10m in order. The instructor will give instructions to draw the parts of the body, one by one, and each member should come running, draw the part that was told to them, and go back to their group behind the last person. After the set of instructions is over, the instructor will show the picture of the human being they had done as a group and explain about properly considering others and bridging the gaps made by them.