SINGAPORE, 19 NOVEMBER 2008 — What better candidate to speak about organizational leadership than a private banker turned mega church pastor. Jeffrey Rachmat of Jakarta Praise Community Church spoke to a roomful of senior pastors, ministry leaders and businessmen on the pivotal topic.
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| PHOTOS: Edmund Ong |
“Leadership,” Rachmat explained, “is about adding value to people’s lives. It is leading an organization to a better place and a higher level.”
He delivered a no-holds-barred look into the life cycle of an organization. The five stages are as such: An organization is born; it grows, reaches its prime, ages, and then dies.
“The good news is, unlike human life, the death in an organization can be avoided,” assured Rachmat.
Tapping into his personal experiences, Rachmat advised leaders to look out for signs of their organizations reaching stages of decline and death, and dished out tips on how one can keep an organization in its prime state.
Having worked in Indonesia’s largest private bank in the 90’s prior to leading megachurch Jakarta Praise Community Church for the past 10 years, Rachmat is well-versed in leadership and organizational issues concerning large enterprises.
Keeping the vision fresh and alive, having a willingness to start anew, and engaging young leaders are all part and parcel of constantly re-energizing an organization and its people, he shared.
Rachmat’s parting shot to his audience was: “The wisdom of the older generation, coupled with the creativity and energy of the young, makes a very powerful combination. Always invest in the next generation!”
