Random Thoughts

Leadership

Leadership is a critical management skill which is the ability to motivate a group of people toward a common goal or objective. Last week in class, we were asked to read excerpts on two great historical leaders, Shao Xinchen and Emperor Claudius, and then pick the leader whom we thought was better. While reading chapter 12 on pastoral peoples and the Mongol Movement, there was a segment that described Chinggis Khan, the supreme leader of the Great Mongol Nation. He exhibits that great leadership qualities that were discussed in class the previous week. Chinggis Khan had come from nothing and there was little to show in his life that he was destined to become the leader of the Mongol people. Strayer describes Khan as a “remarkable character” and one that possessed “personal magnetism and courage.” Khan was fiercely loyal to friends (another important leadership quality) and his enemies were beaten down by his strength and determination. Strayer goes on to tell us that after Khan had assembled his powerful army of tribesmen through conquer and assimilation, he needed to keep them together without fighting. Unifying them to a common goal was paramount to his success, and he did so by moving towards expansion of the nomadic peoples into China, which would bring his people wealth. Wealth, as stated before brings power, and the Mongols became a powerful force in the development of Asia’s history.

Not only was Khan courageous, intelligent, and determined, but one thing did stick out to me about his style of leadership that I find important. He was a hands-on leader. Khan’s army was organized, disciplined and fiercely loyal to him because he was willing to also fight alongside his men towards the common goal. Lao-Tsu, the father of Daoism, said “To lead people, walk beside them…” On page 346, Khan is quoted from texts “I eat the same food and am dressed in the same rags as my humble herdsmen… I am always in the forefront, and in battle I am never at the rear.” Leaders inspire those around them by their deeds and actions. Khan was a great leader of men because he knew that everyone was important in battle and he was no better than the soldier standing beside him. This characteristic is no different today in our great leaders of the 21^st century. People must be inspired to want to follow.

Culture or Religion or Both?

Islam is not only a religion but a culture as well. Reading about the growth and spread of Islam reminded me of a paper I wrote in my World Religions class. Strayer tells us that Islam is not a religion looking to convert people but rather a way of life. On page 310 of our textbook, the social element of the Islamic religion is explained. The Islamic people have found that their cultural identity is caught up in the belief of their own one God, Allah. Through this, they came to associate themselves with a community of people called Muslims. This is the “culture” of Islam; a way of life.

According to the textbook, Religions of the World by Lewis Hopfe, the Islamic religion has been able to spread and expand in the Middle East as well as across the world in part because it is a universal faith that recognizes no national borders and makes no distinction among races. Islam is also a religion that can appeal to large groups of people because it is considered “easy” to practice and understand. There are no special ceremonies, rites of passage, meditation or great sacrifices one needs to make. The last reason for the expansion of the Islam religion is that Islam has “delivered” the masses from persecution instead of being the religion that has persecuted. Given the history and rulers of Christianity in Arab countries, Islam is considered to be the savior of people in this part of the world.

Thoughts and Questions

Where would we be today if instead of Europe embarking on exploration of western lands, that the eastern civilizations did it instead? Why were eastern civilizations not concerned with exploration beyond the Middle East and Indian Ocean?

China was a highly progressive society with a flourishing cultural, economic and innovative center of civilization. What caused it to become stagnant? Is Communism the reason? My historical knowledge is lacking so I am looking forward to continuing the search for answers as we continue to learn about World History.