You are the SALT of the Earth... (Take 2)

We looked at the biblical foundation of SALT Academy from Matthew 5:13 in the previous article. Today we expound on this further by looking at the salt properties in relation to leadership.

What does SALT in leadership represent?

Salt is a biological necessity of human life. It has been used from ancient times as food seasoning, preservative, currency, healing agent and even in religious rituals as a purifying agent. We learn a lot about the role and qualities of a leader from salt properties and uses. We look at some of the properties here:

Salt as a preservative

Salt was (and still is) used to preserve meat. Today we have refrigeration technology, but in ancient times, meat would be preserved by spreading salt on it. Salt has therefore been known as a food preservative.

 Leaders preserve a generation. Good leadership considers the strength of the opponent to decide whether to advance in attack or send messengers seeking terms for peace. They do not put their foot soldiers in harm’s way. They are not keen on going through a destruction spree. They have a productivity mentality and their actions are geared towards preserving life. Their decisions, plans and actions are focused on leaving what has been entrusted to them better than they found it. They understand that they are stewards.

Communication Links

The chemical components of salt are sodium and chloride (NaCl2). The Sodium part, when in our bodies, helps in sending messages to and from the brain. It also regulates the body fluids and helps our muscles to contract. It is hence a vital element in communication between the body organs.

Leaders carry the vision of the organisation or the course they are fighting for. They do not work alone and so they have to understand how every organ of their institution operates, the roles of each lieutenant and how they contribute to the objectives of the group. They have a critical role of ensuring everyone is reading from the same script, that they understand the vision. He therefore stands as a communication link. The Leader must know how to convey the vision and mission of those he leads to synchronise their actions. He is the most important communication link.

Leaders epitomise Integrity

Salt symbolises immutable, incorruptible purity. In the Old Testament, salt was required in every offering. Salt is also used as a disinfectant, put on wounds to kill germs allowing them to heal. In essence, salt purifies and hence a symbol of purity and preserves integrity.

It gets confusing to those being led when they get mixed signals from their leader. At times this is as a result of political games in the organisation mostly higher up in the hierarchy. A good leader says what he means, means what he says and his actions do not contradict his words. A high performing organisation needs a leader of integrity that is not swayed by every wind of doctrine. They are steadfast and do not leave those they lead second guessing what they actually meant

Everyone is a leader. Leadership is not in a title, it's in the influence you have on others around you. Consider those you lead today and check whether you are acting are a preservative. Are you able to communicate your vision with clarity? Are you a symbol of integrity?

In the next article we consider other properties of salt as they relate to the leader.