Time to Let go!

Over the years I have been associated with several voluntary & professional organizations.  In some of them  the original founders refused to give up control or refused to `Let Go` which resulted in such organizations’ collapse after the exit of such founders due to natural causes.

I was a trustee in an NGO which was  being run by a dynamic but aging friend, I suggested institutionalizing the organization so that the NGO continues to flourish even after the exit of the founder. My idea was accepted and a retired professional from the corporate sector was appointed to run the NGO on a day-to-day basis. But the founder refused to let go of his control and encouraged staff to come to him with any problems they faced thereby undermining the position of the professional who quit after a couple of years. As expected, the NGO ceased to exist after the demise of the founder.

In a Rotary Club which celebrated its Silver jubilee last year, the original founders, all past presidents now, have dominated the running of the Club so much that they are not able to attract new members resulting in a Past President taking over as the Silver Jubilee President. Unless this club ropes in some new, young members and encourages potential leaders to take over the mantle of the club and empowers them, I will not be surprised if the club ceases to exist after a couple of years.

I also know of a company started by a friend, which grew by leaps and bounds, got into serious trouble when he was immobilized due to a major accident and could not run the company. In the absence of an identified successor to run the company, his family had to sell the company.

Whichever organization that I have founded or in which I  have occupied leadership positions, I have always ensured that there is a lineup of potential leaders to take over the mantle after me.  Wherever possible, I  also tried to institutionalize the running of the organization so that the day-to-day functions ran smoothly, irrespective of the caliber of its leaders.

I have always believed in the power of the youth and encouraged them to come up with new ideas so that the institution continues to grow and stays relevant to the times. There is no point in past presidents constantly harping on what happened during their times and interfering in the affairs of the institution concerned preventing the younger teams to function. Instead, they should provide advice and help only when sought and generally encourage the new teams.

I am proud to say that this is what is happening now  in the Rotary Club of Madras South of which I have been a member since 1977. A  62 years old club it has over 26 Past presidents out of a membership of 75. Thanks to the constant induction of young blood it has become such a vibrant club where the old and new members work hand in hand bonding like a big, happy family!

It is time leaders know when to let go so that not only the institutions survive them but also do better!