| Ipoh, Malaysia | 5 Nov 2016 | Asia Samachar |
In modern leadership parlance, the leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib (SGGS) would be considered as transformational.
“A transformational leader is one who will transform your life should you follow him. SGGS is one such leader,” said Dr Gurcharan Singh at a Sikh seminar in Ipoh, Perak, today (5 Nov 2016). “It’s also authentic.”
He was one of the three speakers at the Ipoh-leg of the Leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Conference.
Instead of taking it as a transformational leader, he said some Sikhs take it more as a ‘transactional’ leader.
“I do something in the hope to get back something else. We are doing deals with the Guru,” he said.
SEE ALSO: Major Sikh seminar in Ipoh on Nov 5
Dr Gurcharan, an educationist, also looked at the question whether SGGS, as a leader, provides a vision and a common goal.
“The common goal is to take us to the One Force, call it by whatever name you like. At the same time, the Guru is also liberating and inspiring,” he said in his talk entitled ‘Leadership and Communication: Towards Unity’.
On another front, he said the teaching of the SGGS is also inclusive, rather than being exclusive.
“Everyone and anyone can become a follower of the SGGS, no one is excluded,” he said.
Dr Gurcharan also raised the question if it matters whether Sikhs are led by the SGGS.
“If not the SGGS, then someone else will lead the Sikhs. We mehta thek (bow) at the gurdwara, and then head off to elsewhere to solve our problems.
“Sikhs have to make a stand that they follow only the SGGS, and no one else,” he said.
He said that SGGS is also an authentic leader.
“Today, it’s difficult to find authentic leaders. Most people have something up their sleeve – either fame, position, etc,” he said.
Dr Gurcharan also emphasised the importance of having ‘servant leaders’.
He paraphrased a thought from another writer as such: “Servant leaders are those who put the needs, interest and aspirations of other above their own, involve others in decision making, is strongly based in ethical and caring behaviour and enhances the personal growth of followers/sanggat.”
The Ipoh seminar is part of the Leadership of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji conference which took place in Petaling Jaya last month. One of its sideline programme was ‘Women In Sikhi: Beyond Gender’ conference.
The programme is organised by the Coalition of Malaysian Sikh Organisations (CMSO) with the active participation of SNSM, KDM, MGC, SWAN, SSSJMMSM, GNGGSF, SWSM, InSPiRE, GKDM, PPM, SSA, GSPJ, WGS Ipoh. Its media partners are Asia Samachar, Sikhi Lehar Malaysia and Sikhi Vichaar Forum.
[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE! Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com]
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gurfateh jios.
A very well presented Talk on the Leadership role of the AAD SRI GURU GRANTH SAHIB JI.
Although hearing Dr Gurcharan Singh Ji for the very first time, at this golden opportunity provided by the Organisers of this Seminar, I was pleasantly surprised that the subject at hand came across so well presented that the time passed by like a fleeting instant. Dr Gurcharan came across as a good Gursikh, attempting to connect us to the Leader who is leading us into the 21st century. Thats the job of academicians, trainers, lecturers, role models who the Youth look up to, and when one comes across a gursikh like Dr Ji, it gladdens the heart and warms the soul. At the end of the day, I would say, it was time well spent, in the company of such Soul brides…real “sants” that defy the image we are so conditioned to “see” when the word “sant” is mentioned..ha ha These Modern Gurmukhs are ready to provide able pathway to the Sikhs hwo need to be connceted to the True Leader..the Guru Granth….the One and Only GRANTH worthy of the title.
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