What I learned about leadership from rural leaders.
Leadership is like a mystery wrapped in an enigma, sprinkled with a little bit of magic — or maybe just common sense. There’s a gazillion definitions out there, but at the core, leadership is about guiding and influencing others to achieve common goals. Or, if you’re really lucky, just getting everyone to agree on lunch. Either way, it’s about bringing people together, right? Well, maybe you disagree, and that’s okay. Leadership is one of those concepts that can start a debate faster than a toddler with a candy bar.
Now, let’s travel back in time. When humans were still figuring out how to form groups and not throw rocks at each other, leadership was the ultimate survival tool. Whoever led the clan was the key to civilization, survival, and having the best hunting grounds. And let’s be honest, no one wanted to be the leader of the tribe that ran out of berries.
Fast forward to today, and leadership is still a big deal. But, here’s the catch: no one really knows what makes someone a “great” leader. Sure, we’ve all had our fair share of leaders — the good, the bad, and the ones who thought they were in charge but were just really good at making coffee. But, even in the age of leadership experts, some leaders rise without fancy degrees. It’s almost like they skipped leadership school and went straight to leading like a pro.
That being said, there’s a school of thought that says leadership is something you’re born with, like an internal GPS for taking charge. Then, there’s the opposite camp that swears anyone can learn it, as long as they have the right mentorship, workbook, and maybe a few inspirational quotes. But, just when you think you’ve figured it out, there’s yet another theory that says leadership is just a state of mind — anyone can be a leader if they believe they are. Mind-blowing, right?
But, here’s what we can all agree on: there are certain qualities that stand out in great leaders. I’ve spent a fair amount of time working with rural community leaders, and let me tell you — it’s been an eye-opener. Leadership in these areas isn’t about formal training or fancy seminars. It’s all about character, relationships, and maybe a bit of storytelling.
Take the village of Boocley, for example. This little spot on the east side of Hargeisa has about 200 families, mostly agro-pastoralists who wake up early enough to outshine the roosters. My team and I made the journey there one Sunday morning — and let me tell you, nothing says peace like the sound of birds chirping and fresh air filling your lungs. It’s like nature was saying, “Relax, you’re about to meet some serious leaders.”
We were greeted by the village elders with the warmest “Salaam” you could imagine. They had prepared fresh milk and warm tea for us. You know you’re in good hands when tea is part of the welcome package! But what really struck me was how well the leaders of the village communicated and respected each other. When we asked, “Who’s the head of the village?” one of the leaders simply said, “He’s on his way.” And who do we meet when he arrives? A man with one arm, who doesn’t speak much but still commands respect. His name was Mohamed, or as he was known, “Gacan” (meaning “the one with the arm”). He had this calm charisma that made everyone around him listen and understand without a single word being wasted.
Mohamed’s leadership wasn’t about flashy speeches or grandstanding; it was about having solid relationships with his people, listening to their needs, and finding common ground. He had an uncanny ability to connect with individuals and get them on the same page. His leadership style could be summed up in three words: “Respect, attention, and trust.” And let me tell you, when you have that, you have loyalty. No degree required.
Now, speaking of communication, let’s talk about Mr. Ahmed, another village leader who is basically the Somali version of a TED Talk speaker. The man speaks in proverbs, poems, and stories that could make even a rock nod in agreement. We once had a disagreement about a project we were trying to implement in his village. Despite the fact that we were all sure we were right (as we always are), Mr. Ahmed flipped the whole script with one of his epic stories and suddenly — boom — the project objectives were changed. It was like watching a magic trick, only instead of pulling a rabbit out of a hat, he was pulling community support out of thin air.
The power of storytelling is something Mr. Ahmed mastered. He wasn’t just speaking to inform; he was speaking to move hearts and minds. And if you want to lead, you need to master the art of Aftahanimo (smooth talk) — because, let’s face it, sometimes people don’t remember what you said, but they remember how you made them feel.
But here’s the kicker: leadership isn’t always sunshine and tea. Sometimes, you come across a community where the leaders aren’t doing so well. In one village, we were trying to implement a food security project, but the leadership was… well, let’s just say, not everyone was a fan. The community was frustrated because they felt their leaders were selfish, disconnected, and maybe even a little corrupt. It wasn’t a pretty picture, and no amount of leadership theory could fix the mistrust that was festering. And trust me, trying to fix leadership when trust is gone is like trying to fill a bucket with a hole in the bottom.
So, what’s the conclusion here? Leadership isn’t something you learn in a textbook — but hey, those textbooks can still be helpful. It’s about having relationships with your community, communicating effectively, and really understanding the people you’re leading. If you’ve got that, then you’re already a leader. And if you’re thinking, “I could do a better job than the current leaders,” guess what? You’re already halfway there. So, take the lead and make a change. Today.
Thanks for reading. Now, go out there and be the leader your community didn’t know they needed — or at least bring the tea.
