Management impedes progress?

Zimbabwe is unable to reach the first world status, because of failure to distinguish between leadership and management. Leadership implies venturing into uncharted territories. Yet management seeks to maintain the status quo.

Basically, there is nothing wrong with checking new datum. Managers need to exercise due empirical verification. However, Managers should not, necessarily, use past achievements as the only guiding principle.

Common reasoning is that management is necessary to control a chaotic society. But God never created human beings in His own image so that they could be controlled by anyone. The idea of controlling people did not originate with God. While Jesus did not discard the law, he demonstrated the principles of leadership, associated with responsibility. Management is intended for a sinful humanity living under the curse of law. It is necessary to check all data against falsehood.

Because managers use historical achievements as guide, they globally oppose anything without historical record of success. New ideas are viewed as suspect, as long as not having historical evidence of success. Managers normally don’t have time to consider what comes from people without acceptable historical profile. This describes the formidable opposition that innovative leaders normally face in their quest to develop new ideas.

In the Pharisaic dispensation, Law-keepers were the Managers, while Jesus was a new leader. The Law-keepers caused Jesus’ crucifixion, so that they could maintain their traditions, based on Mosaic laws. Other nations also use past experiences to maintain their own traditions, as well.

Those in positions of authority imposed stiff challenges to the world’s progressive scientists. The Catholic Authoritarians incarcerated Galileo in house arrest. Yet Galileo, as a scientific leader, had discovered a telescope that provided novel understanding of our universe.

The United States of America currently leads in world’s promotion of human liberties. This is due to incorporation of human liberties in its constitution. But even USA is yet to achieve the principle of total freedom. Of course, there are those who feel that America’s stance on liberty promotes the undesirables, existing in that society. But, whether anyone likes it or not, Christianity developed faster in America, due to that country’s stance on human liberties.

Authoritarians oppose new developments, in the name of protecting ordinary citizens. History shows how foolish such behaviour is. It seems the educated cannot learn from past experiences. They value historical achievements ahead of new ideas. But fixation with the past actually impedes progress.

Authentic leaders are in present time; planning workable solutions for the future. Authoritarians seek to crush and invalidate innovative leaders without recognizable past achievements, according to the authoritarians’ viewpoints.

I suppose many Zimbabweans still have memories of a man who claimed that he could produce his own brand of a Helicopter. Authoritarian politicians could not take that. They considered a helicopter to be too advanced for an ordinary black Zimbabwean. However, they did not provide sufficient reasons for their disapproval. Except that the aviation laws did not permit any venture into air space.

The authorities would possibly have accepted such an initiative, had he been white, or having come from ZANU PF political system. This is typical of the Pharisees of Jesus time. I still do not know of what became of that Helicopter technician. But today, Zimbabwe is comfortable, importing helicopters from China, Russia or Western countries. The technicians from those countries are viewed as more intelligent than their counterparts in Zimbabwe?

Strive Masiyiwa had to muster tenacity to legally confront ZANU PF, before God intervened in his favour. Thanks to Joshua Nkomo’s assistance, Masiyiwa’s dream came true. But, have the authoritarian politicians forgiven Strive? This is regardless that Econet Wireless Company has sustained the Zimbabwean economy over the years. It seems the authoritarians still long to find fault with Strive Masiyiwa?

Zimbabwean politicians favor those pliable to manipulation, not those venturing into gigantic projects, without their approval. They place themselves as gate-keepers, desiring to leave behind this shameful legacy. They possibly assume that they are the most superior human species? If the authoritarians understood the value of a human being, the story would be different.

Human beings do not need to be controlled

Human beings do not necessarily have to be controlled like animals. All problems of humanity emanate from inability to accept this reality. The educational systems ought to use this information as basis for crafting syllabi. Only criminals ought to be dealt with in accordance with enacted laws. A person considered educated, yet not being a free moral agent, is still uneducated.

Those considered educated, valuing strings of letters after their names display educational deficiency with them. A truly educated person does not value graduate certification, but the knowledge that comes with graduation. If a person desires approval from other people, that person is not free and, therefore uneducated. He is controlled by those conferring certificates on him/her. That person does not have confidence in his/her own abilities.

It boggles the mind to see Christians also esteeming graduation certificates? Their Master, Jesus Christ, left a perfect example for them. But which level of educational degree do those Christian theologians suppose was appropriate for Jesus Christ?  What about human beings, created in God’s image?

The six day creation in Genesis is complete.

In six days God created everything, including the yet to be discovered knowledge about human potential. Created in God’s image, humans have all the attributes of Godly nature. The invalidation of other fellow humans is what causes failure to understand this incredible revelation.

People are taught to either invalidate or worship other humans according to class and race. But God created every human being in His own image. Those who invalidate other people actually invalidate God. They view other people as inferior, unless approved by those considered superior. God intends for each person to fulfill his/her respective purpose of existence on earth. There is no need to seek approval from other humans instead of God’s approval.

Humans ignore the most important commandment about having no other gods before their creator. Jesus is the only standard against which we should measure our dignity. Basically, Jesus came for that purpose.

Only true Christians reach their Godly potential on earth. Generally, ordinary humans aim at reaching the potential of being glorified by other fellow humans. Currently Zimbabwe struggles with economic decay, yet its outstanding human resource is degraded. The authoritarians place value on inanimate objects, more than on what was created in God’s image.

Andrew Masuku is the author of Dimensions of a New Civilization, laying down standards for uplifting Zimbabwe from current state of economic depression into a model for other nations worldwide. A decaying tree provides an opportunity for a blossoming sprout. Written from a Christian perspective, the book is a product of inspiration, bringing reliefs to those having witnessed strings of unworkable solutions––leading to the current economic and social instability. In a simple conversational tone, most Zimbabweans should find the book as a long awaited providential oasis of hope.

The Print copy is now available at Amazon.com for $13.99

Also available as an e-copy at Lulu.com  for $6.99