Dr. Benson Katulwa has written this important book; Developing your Leadership Competence at a time when leadership turbulence is being witnessed in many organizations not only in Kenya and Africa in particular but also in other parts across the world.  It is becoming inexorably common for people to ascend to leadership positions through acclaim, often by people who are rather motivated by vested interest  ( read subjectively) in the “leader we want” than consideration of whether or not the leader possesses positive leadership qualities.

Whether a leader is elected by a majority or selected by a minority group with a special interest in such a leader.  It remains crucial for people elevated to any high position of leadership to consider positive qualities. these are qualities that will ensure the leader will lead with comfort as the subjects enjoy fairness,  equity and probity in such leadership.

Dr. Katulwa puts it very clear that leadership is for everyone.  He makes a deliberate effort to shatter the traditional assumption that leadership belongs to the same people.  People can be trained to become better leaders, and leaders can learn and acquire skills to make them better.  Accelerated changes in technology and globalization present a constant challenge to leaders and their organization.  These organizations range from family, church, corporate and others – including political positions of leadership and management.

In this regard, leaders must continually learn a new way of getting things done through people.  A leader who lacks skills for effective leadership will opt to bribe his way to higher positions.

Going through this book, Developing your leadership Competence, you will find that it is a one-stop shop for useful information that will put you on a pedestal of an exemplary leader.  Since we have noted that everyone can be a leader, Dr. Katulwa’s ideas revolve around the notion of trying to make leaders more efficient and effective in their work.

Dr. Katulwa’s book is a unique offer of our time.  In my view, he has imprinted his name in the annals of history to the likes of Tim LaHaye, Maxwell, Munroe, Goleman and others in this cadre.  What these great men may not have mentioned, Dr. Katulwa has filled in, the gaps, perhaps so because he has from his African perspective, seen leadership more through the prison of the leadership challenges faced by African leaders.  That notwithstanding, this is a unique piece of work in a number of ways.

First, Dr. Katulwa has explored the area of temperament, and the need for leaders to know their temperaments,  and to be able to analyze other peoples temperament.  This is important because you need to know that temperament influences everything that one does from sleep habits to eating style to the way you perform your duty whether a leader or subject. Leaders need to this for their own advantage and that of their subjects not to condemn them, but so they can maximize their character.

Secondly, Dr. Katulwa has aptly blended his presentation with a pinch of Scripture content. The theological perspective reflected in this book provides a panacea to the economic socio-political challenges that leaders face, thus making the book a reliable source of authenticity that great leaders ought to cling to.

Thirdly, this book has given an in-depth analysis of the truth about improving leadership through learning which, is exemplified by James J Gill’s(1983) who asserts that:

“The essential qualities and Skills involved in Leadership can be learned and developed through education and experience. People can learn to communicate clearly to make effective decision to motivate and inspire to maintain and show respect and trust insubordinate to be just in making judgements, to instruct clearly and to be patient with mistakes, to be loyal to follower and tough on their behalf, to be humble and open to new ideas and different opinions, to keep a sense of humour, and to know how to relax.”

Arguably, there is no other book that has captured the essence of authentic leadership like this one.  I promise you will be a better person for absorbing the nuggets of wisdom contained therein.

I personally register my genuine appreciation of great work, an accomplishment of a great teacher who has beforehand demonstrated his skills and proves in class and on the pulpit.

What Dr. Katulwa has been doing verbally is now crystallized in a book.  By writing this preface, I’m only setting the stage for a timeless celebration of the efforts that the authors make and Dr. Katulwa is one of them) to edify humanity with their writing.

While we know for sure we have nothing to pay for this priceless endeavor, it is equally priceless to academic and savors the trivets of wisdom on offer

About the Author

This Book Review was done by Benson Kithuka,  a graduate student at Scott Christian University and a long serving Deputy Principal of several Kenyan High Schools,  At the time of writing this Review the writer was pursuing Master of Arts in Leadership & Management.