You are the SALT of the Earth... (Final)

In the first article of this series, we introduced the foundational scripture of SALT Academy, Matthew 5:13. It speaks of the salt of the earth and loss of one's saltiness. In the second article we looked at the properties of salt as a preservative, a communication link, and in epitomising integrity and how they relate to leadership. In this final foundational article we discuss a further four uses of salt and their significance in leadership.

The spice of life

In the first article of this series, I spoke about the piece of chicken that had no salt - it was tasteless! A little addition of salt makes food palatable and you enjoy the meal. It has to be just enough salt. Excessive salt in the food makes it inedible. A little salt makes bland food tasty.

A leader has the ability to make a seemingly boring task interesting and fun. They articulate the purpose for the task at hand and why it is important to the one assigned the task. A great leader can articulate the importance of the task because they have the big picture view. Better still they are able to communicate the vision, get the buy-in from his followers and make it easy to carry out the tasks.

We do encounter from time to time leaders that make it their business to complicate every task. They will do all they can to suck the fun out of your work. They see the mistakes you make but never once do they applaud you for your achievements. They make work boring and everyone working under them feels like they are always walking on eggshells.

Purifying a Generation's Character

Salt in ancient and biblical times had symbolic relevance in religion. It symbolised immutable and incorruptible purity. It also signified wisdom and was ritualistically used t wade off evil spirit.

Good leaders are an inspiration to those they lead. They set a good example in the way they communicate, treat those they lead, how they think and even their general outlook. The subordinates in the organisation who admire their boss are more likely to come early to work if they know their leader consistently gets to the office early. They will mind their dressing if they see their leader dressing in a particular style. They will take up his/her speaking style too. They will ditch their culture and adopt the leader's culture because they admire it and possibly want to be a great leader like him/her.

Reconciler of Nations

Salt was used in war to heal wounds. It is still used for cleaning wounds to date. It has properties to kill harmful germs allowing wounds to heal fast.

Great leaders are negotiators for peace and harmony. They are persistently juggling factors to negotiate a win/win position as far as they can. They understand the need to keep the bridges intact even as they seek a position of advantage. A good leader has good judgement and is the voice of reason between conflicting parties. They provide a pillar of trust to the disputing parties negotiating them into an agreement.

Moving the Agenda

You may recall in your science class drilling a hollow out of a halved potato, putting salt on the hollow and setting the two over a bowl of water. After some time, there would be water drawn into the hollow through the osmosis process. Salt is essential for life and through the osmosis process, it adjusts the amounts of fluid within and outside body cells. This is a fundamental purpose to ensuring the right balance in body cells.

A leader is one who has the ability to influence others into action. Have you been in situations where the circumstances surrounding you were chaotic until the leader spoke? A few words of inspiration and suddenly everyone got to motion getting things in order. Leaders are the voice that draws others towards a common agenda and motivates them to pursue it diligently. As a leader, it is an uphill task to lead people that you cannot influence or motivate into action.       

At one point in history, salt was also used as currency in ancient Greece. The Greek would trade their salt for slaves and hence giving rise to the expression, "not worth his salt". This communicated that they were not getting a good deal. In other instances, soldiers would be paid wages in form of salt (hence the origin of the word 'salary'). In the same way, I challenge you to examine yourself as a leader based on the seven properties discussed. Are you are a leader worth your salt?

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.

You are the SALT of the Earth...

Life's experiences are savoured through our sensory organs. Imagine roasted rosemary chicken… you SMELL the aroma from a distance and you can tell we are having chicken for dinner! You draw closer to the oven and you can HEAR the simmering as the juices ooze off the chicken flesh. When its finally ready, you pull the pieces out of the oven and you can SEE the inviting golden brown coating. You help yourself to a piece and the tenderness of the meat is FELT on your hands. The real test of greatness is when you TASTE it - this is the ultimate experience! Imagine biting the chicken piece and realising the chef did not add SALT! That's the point when you make a face similar to having lemon juice squeezed into your mouth!

“You are the salt of the earth.

But if the salt loses its saltiness,

how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything,

except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."

Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

These words were spoken by Jesus to the people reminding them what character they should depict - that of SALT. They are the foundation of SALT Academy. Leaders should demonstrate salt properties in their character. They should have the same effect that salt has to life in the lives they affect.

Many of us look like leaders, talk like leader but the ultimate experience under our leadership gives the people a lemon-in-mouth experience. We have lost our SALT (or never had it in the first place!) How do you get your leadership SALT back? This is what this blog is all about - we talk about what it takes to be THE LEADER. It's the Leaders' Bootcamp - we look at the values, habits, principles and all else that concerns being a Great Leader.

In our next article, we start looking at salt properties and their importance in becoming the Leader you ought to be. What is the significance of salt to life and how can we as leaders change to regain our saltiness and give salt to those around us?