The Prophet in his capacity as a political and spiritual leader personified the quintessential spirit of a successful leader. The leaders of the Islamic Movement are those who strive to emulate the characteristics of their Master and Guide so that they can bring about social and spiritual change. Those who are in positions of leadership, or those who may acquire some form of leadership in the future may also want to consider seven principles of transformational leadership to create a synergy of energy within their organisation:

1. Principle of Simplification– Successful leadership begins with a vision, which reflects the direction of the common course. This means, the ability to articulate a clear, practical, transformational vision which answers the question, “Where are we going?” The stone cutter’s tale illustrates this idea: The first stone cutter says, “I’m cutting stone,” the second says, “I’m carving a cornerstone,” but the third says, “I’m building a conference hall.” The third has a vision. Where do community leaders, Imams, and activists (duat) see themselves – impacting their local mosque, their community, the nation, or the world? For any team, discussing goals (ahdaf), objectives (maqasid) and vision (gayat) unifies the members.

2. Principle of Motivation – The ability to gain the agreement and commitment of other people to the vision. Once the transformational leader is able to bring synergy to the organization he must then use various means to energise (motivate) the team. A common way to motivate others is to challenge them, provide ample opportunity to join the creative process, and give them the credit.

3. Principle of Facilitation – The ability to effectively facilitate the learning of individuals, and teams. Peter Senge in The Fifth Discipline says the primary job of leadership now is to facilitate the learning’s of others. The inborn quest of humans (members) to learn more and more becomes the leader’s greatest asset to address organisational challenges. Transformational leaders have been given a sacred trust of being stewards of their members intellectual capital.

4. Principle of Innovation: The ability to boldly initiate change when needed. An effective and efficient organisation requires members to anticipate change and not fear it. Leaders must initiate and respond quickly to change. Team members successfully influence one another to assimilate change because the transformational leaders have built trust and fostered teamwork.

5. Principle of Mobilization – The ability to enlist, equip and empower others to fulfil the vision. Transformational leaders look for willing participants who have already been given formal leadership responsibilities and also amongst people who have not. They find ways to invite (people) and ignite leadership at all levels. They introduce simple baby steps to enlist larger number of participants.

6. Principle of Preparation– The ability to never stop learning about themselves with and without the help of others. Rick Warren says, “Leaders are learners.” Transformational leaders realise that the transformation they pursue is a reflection of their own spiritual quest–that they must serve the world through their giftedness because that is the only way they truly fulfil their life mission. With this mindset, moments of being stuck become moments of total dependence on God. This is such a rigorous path of learning that transformational leaders must be in thriving relationships with others pursuing transformation. It is within these vital relationships, life opportunities and obstacles get saturated in love and support.

7. Principle of Determination – The ability to finish the race. A leader’s mission is sometimes difficult and their journey often lonely -  feeling that they are steering the ship in one direction and the rest of the team in the opposite direction is an occurring feature. Leaders depend on their stamina, endurance, courage and strength to finish each day.  Because their focus is not only on raising their own leadership but the development of others, the most rigorous and humbling of all human endeavours, transformational leaders experience times of self doubt, grief and fatigue. Transformational leaders have to develop spiritual, emotional, and physical disciplines to sustain their high level of commitment to their cause.

Transformational leaders are those who raise awareness, and who see strategic initiatives to be accomplished. In order to procure a holistic spiritual and social change, it is of paramount importance that transformational (Islamic Movement) leaders consider the aforementioned principles. No member should be deemed insignificant but every individual should be given the opportunity to excel in their own field of expertise and it is the duty of the transformational leaders to facilitate for their members this imperative.

Islamic Movement leaders must find ways of connecting the strengths of the team to the overall strategy of the organisation with a support system founded on encouragement (hath), accountability (muhasabat) and recognition (taqdeer). As the youth of the organisation transform over the next few decades, others will rise to a new level of leadership characterised by an unshakable faith to transform the lives of others by creating a synergy of energy within their circle of influence.

(Adapted from an article by Erik Ress)