Leadership! A desire to make an impact

05/04/07 , by Posted by: Admin

Last year an old friend sent me an email. I hadn't heard from him in quite sometime and the last thing I knew he was teaching in Tonga-tapu after graduating from Tonga Teaching College. I knew that he was involved in student ministry with Campus Crusade for Christ but was surprised to learn that he is now again furthering his studies – motivated by a passion to return to Tonga and work with Tongan Youth and specifically on "leadership training".

Senituli Penitani is currently a student at The King's College, New York, pursuing a degree in economics, philosophy and politics. I asked him a few questions about his interest in leadership. Here is what he has to say;

On Leadership in Tonga …

We all know leadership is a hot and contested topic at the moment. With the traditional model of leadership being lambasted for its hypocrisy, corruption and exclusiveness people are pushing for accountability, effectiveness and inclusiveness whilst trying to maintain some sense of their cultural identities.

Seni agrees that Tonga is in a transitional period politically and perhaps theologically, and emphasized a "need for trained and Christ-centered Christians to engage intellectually" and to exercise discernment regarding philosophical and cultural trends. He explained that God had captured his heart "with the conviction that leadership is the determining factor of the success or the failure of all segments of society, whether it is family or church, business or government. Everything stands or falls in leadership".

Seni said he thinks Emotional Intelligence – or a lack there of – has a lot to do with Tonga's current leadership vacuum. "Tonga is already intellectually sophisticated, but not emotionally intelligent". Emotional intelligence? Seni went on to explain; "tafulu (condescendingly raising ones' voice and telling others off), is very common not just in churches but other areas of Tongan life". There is sometimes a lack of inclusion, civility and gentleness in the way leaders conduct themselves.

He said that we often equate leadership with malanga malie (good preachers and preaching) and wrongly assume that a good orator is a good leader. Seni believes that leadership is something that has to be taught intentionally.

Good leadership …

So what is good leadership, I asked? The qualities of good leadership are more complicated than one might initially assume and Seni believes the principles of leadership need to be taught systematically and practiced intentionally, He shared a little acronym with me that he finds helpful: (CDEF)

• C - contrite heart. Maintain a humble heart before God and man (develop consistent time alone with God)


• D – discipline. Before I can lead others I have to make sure I lead myself (have a mentor to whom I am accountable to who check my weekly schedule and pray for me etc.)


• E – excellence. Pursue excellence. I guess one of the differences between Pacific Islanders and Americans are that Islanders tend to be satisfied with mediocrity.


• F – focus. On one thing at a time and on what God called me to do. (tell myself I have to do this at this time -this is the will of God at this moment of my life - I may die the next hour but I have to do this only one thing right now, right here.

A life committed …

He left teaching in Tonga to work as a missionary under the Campus Crusade Ministry, for 13 years in Fiji, based at the University of the South Pacific(USP) campus. An experience that he says convinced him that a Ph D in Management or Theology does not necessary makes one a good leader. During his time at USP, he came across and engage in discussions with astute academics and intellectuals and realized that a complicated degree doesn't necessarily correlate to good leadership and at times, a passion for God.

"So now I am studying philosophy, politics, and economics in New York (conveniently located in the Empire State Building), with a Christian approach - with leadership and apologetic emphasis since these are the three classical academic disciplines that shape the nations of the world". Very interesting combinations! But Seni hopes to equip himself as best as he can because he wants to build leaders. "I mean build disciples, servant-leaders of Christ. I use servant because we have abused both leadership and servant-ship. Many servants of Christ forget that courage and initiative is part of servant-hood. Many of Christ's leaders forget humility and servant-hood".

Hope for the future …

Leadership in Tonga is a massive challenge but this guy makes it clear he is up for it –"with all my soul", he answered when asked if it is something he wants to be involved with in Tonga. How does one knows that this is what he wants to do! Seni enthusiastically re-iterates (with a laugh), that he thinks he is forced to this ministry by God, "I am not a natural leader ... fear is my default character! But somehow God put me in situations where I am forced to be tough ... to learn to lead by influence and not by authority". Wise words that show a strong degree of commitment. And this commitment stems from a life committed to Christ.

What are your hopes for the future? "I hope to see a new generation of leaders who fear God and are willing to learn and to be changed - men/women who are tough and tender, fear and love God. Leaders who love people, who never stop growing (once we stop growing we start decaying). Leaders who help people they lead to reach their highest potential. Leaders who get out of 'me-ism' and build people – people/souls last for eternity!"

Senituli A Penitani is from Nomuka, Ha'apai. He is studying philosophy, politics and economics at The King's College, New York City, New York.

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• March 14, 2008, 11:23 am - Naki Misa

  Malo mu'a Seini mo hoku toko2 ko Pulotu 'a e vahevahe fkmafana mo'oni felave'i mo'etau fononga 'oku fai ni.

  Pulotu 'oku mo'oni 'aupito ho'o vahevahe, pea 'oku kau atu mo e motu'a ni he mafana noa'ia aipe he kelesi mo e tataki 'a e 'eiki 'oku fai kiate kitautolu.

  blessings heaps mo e 'ofa lahi atu mo e lotu

  Naki and family

• March 9, 2008, 2:08 pm - Seini

  Thanks for sharing sharing Seni/T.

  But like Pulotu, its always great, encouraging and fakalata 'aupito 'aupito to see people na'ate fellowship moia in in the younger days (yes younger days) ka 'oku nau kei tu'u ma'u ma'a Sisu these days.., like you Seni/T etc.... but its also fakaloloma to see those who have tasted God's goodness and have decided to turn the other way.... If only they know that to live without LIFE (He is Life) is no life at all. Prayers, love and blessing to you all.

  sis in Christ.... Aussie-land

• March 5, 2008, 4:40 am - Tuipulotu Tuaimeiapi

  Malo 'aupito 'a e ako Seni pea mahu'inga 'aupito 'a e fekau kuo tuku atu kiate koe 'e he 'Otua pea pe he ki he visone mo e taumu'a kuo fokotu'u ke fai ki ai 'a e tukuhua pea hange ai pe 'oku to e fkmanatu mai kiate au 'a e taimi na'atau feohi ai mafana noa ai pe hoto loto 'a'eku 'ilo'i 'oku 'ikai ke 'i ai ha me'a 'e taha tene hanga 'o veteki ai ho va mo e 'Otua pea mo'oni ai e ngaahi hiva malie 'o e mala'e 'o e va'inga (Go Seni, Go Seni, Go Nomuka) ha ha. Na'a ma talanoa mo e taha hota toko2 na'e fu'u fire 'aupito pe ki 'eiki b4 ka kuo ki'i slide pea 'ikai ke to e tu'u ka ne talamai 'e ia kuo ne pole'i 'e ia 'a Heli he ko e mu'a tuufakaholo pe ia 'a Nomuka (Nomuka Guy) kuo u tui pe kuo ke 'osi 'ilo'i na'aku lotomamahi 'aupito he'eku 'ilo'i kuo ne 'osi 'a e lelei mo e kovi. Kai kehe kei fai pe lotu ki ai ke to e liliu 'ene fili lolotonga 'oku kei 'i ai hono faingamalie. Kai ke he ko 'ete muimui ki he 'Eiki 'oku 'ikai ko kita na'ate fili ka ko e 'Eiki na'a ne fili kita.

  Anyway good luck Bro and I will pray for you.