| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Haile Selassie I |
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| Selected Speeches |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| The Church of Haile Selassie I, Inc. |
| Ba Beta Kristiyan Haile Selassie I |
| Chapter I - Part 1 |
| University College of Addis Ababa - 6th Graduation Jul. 17, 1959 |
| Higher Education |
| ... He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline and moral restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control of one's bodily needs and drives... |
| Selected Speeches |
This graduation ceremony is an occasion, not merely for recapitulating and
recounting the fruits of past efforts in terms of examination results and of
degrees and diplomas awarded, but also for fixing one's sights upon future
accomplishments, obiligations and possibilities.
For the sixth time in the history of this College, We see an imposing group
of young men and women graduate from this institution. Most of you, as
in previous years, will continue your studies and prepare yourselves for
higher degrees and varying careers. But whether pursing further studies
or going directly into the world, all of you will soon be embarking upon a
new stage of your lives.
We, therefore, deem it necessary and appropriate, on this occasion when
you of this year's graduating calss look back upon your student years with
a mearsure of nostalgia and look forward, perhaps with a measure of
understandable apprehension towards your future careers, to speak to you
about leaders and leadership.
As you know, leadership is required in all fields and no field is without its
usefulness. During Our visits, however, to the educational institutions of
Our country, We have noticed in answers to Our enquiries, that the
percentage of students pursuing courses of study useful for the
development of technology and industry, has been extremely low. We
have, therefore, counselled you to take up technological and instrial
courses in preparing for an over-all programme. The reason for Our
introducing this topic at present is that We have found the number of
those receiving degrees in technological subjects today to be very small
indeed, and wish to impress upon you all that it is Our desire to see a
much larger number of Our young people benefiting from the resources
We have on Our own and have received as aid from abroad, and
graduating in the fields of technology and industrial education.
recounting the fruits of past efforts in terms of examination results and of
degrees and diplomas awarded, but also for fixing one's sights upon future
accomplishments, obiligations and possibilities.
For the sixth time in the history of this College, We see an imposing group
of young men and women graduate from this institution. Most of you, as
in previous years, will continue your studies and prepare yourselves for
higher degrees and varying careers. But whether pursing further studies
or going directly into the world, all of you will soon be embarking upon a
new stage of your lives.
We, therefore, deem it necessary and appropriate, on this occasion when
you of this year's graduating calss look back upon your student years with
a mearsure of nostalgia and look forward, perhaps with a measure of
understandable apprehension towards your future careers, to speak to you
about leaders and leadership.
As you know, leadership is required in all fields and no field is without its
usefulness. During Our visits, however, to the educational institutions of
Our country, We have noticed in answers to Our enquiries, that the
percentage of students pursuing courses of study useful for the
development of technology and industry, has been extremely low. We
have, therefore, counselled you to take up technological and instrial
courses in preparing for an over-all programme. The reason for Our
introducing this topic at present is that We have found the number of
those receiving degrees in technological subjects today to be very small
indeed, and wish to impress upon you all that it is Our desire to see a
much larger number of Our young people benefiting from the resources
We have on Our own and have received as aid from abroad, and
graduating in the fields of technology and industrial education.
| The Need for Leadership |
We all know that the need for good leadership in every walk of life is
much greater today than ever before. Every aspect of living demands
guiding hands: business, the prefessions, the fine arts, the mechanical arts,
all. And all of you young people, who hae been given the enriching
opportunity of an advanced education will in the future be called upon to
shoulder in varying degrees the responsibilities to leading and serving the
nation.
It is important, however, to remember that leadership does not mean
domination. The world is always well supplied with people who wish to
rule and dominate others. The true leader is of a different sort: he seeks
effective activity which has a truly beneficient purpose. He inspires others
to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of wisdom, leads the
way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations.
You have learnt from your study of history that the story of nations is
often told in terms of the accomplishments of individuals. In every
significant event in history, you will find a courageous and determined
leader, an inspiring goal or objective, and an adversary who sought to foil
his efforts.
In any normal society, every one has some opportunity to show himself as
a leader. Even the mechanic or clerk who has an assistant assigned to him
not to speak of the doctor with all his helpers, or the officer who
commands his troops, is a leader. Withn his own sphere, each has the
same opportunities for showing ability, and the same potential satisfactions
as has the leader of government. The leader is marked out by his
individual craftsmanship, his sensibility and insight, his initiative and
energy.
much greater today than ever before. Every aspect of living demands
guiding hands: business, the prefessions, the fine arts, the mechanical arts,
all. And all of you young people, who hae been given the enriching
opportunity of an advanced education will in the future be called upon to
shoulder in varying degrees the responsibilities to leading and serving the
nation.
It is important, however, to remember that leadership does not mean
domination. The world is always well supplied with people who wish to
rule and dominate others. The true leader is of a different sort: he seeks
effective activity which has a truly beneficient purpose. He inspires others
to follow in his wake, and holding aloft the torch of wisdom, leads the
way for society to realize its genuinely great aspirations.
You have learnt from your study of history that the story of nations is
often told in terms of the accomplishments of individuals. In every
significant event in history, you will find a courageous and determined
leader, an inspiring goal or objective, and an adversary who sought to foil
his efforts.
In any normal society, every one has some opportunity to show himself as
a leader. Even the mechanic or clerk who has an assistant assigned to him
not to speak of the doctor with all his helpers, or the officer who
commands his troops, is a leader. Withn his own sphere, each has the
same opportunities for showing ability, and the same potential satisfactions
as has the leader of government. The leader is marked out by his
individual craftsmanship, his sensibility and insight, his initiative and
energy.
| Haile Selassie the First - July 17, 1959 |
| The Sense of Responsibility |
Leaders are people who raise the standards by which they judge
themselves -- and by which they are willing to be judged. The goal
chosen, the objective selected, the requirements imposed, are not merely
for their followers alone. They develop with consummate energy and
devotion their own skill and knowledge in order to reach the standards
they themselves have set. This whole-hearted acceptance of the demands
imposed by ever higher standards is the basis of all human progress. A
love of high quality, we must remember, is essential in a leader.
Dependability is another requirement in a leader. To be dependable is to be
willing to accept responsibility, and to carry it out faithfully. A leader will
always be willing to take counsel from his people, but will often have to
act on what his own mind tells him is right. This demands that the leader
has trained himself out of any inordinate fear of making mistakes.
To embark successfully on a career involving leadership demands a
courageous and determined spirit. Once a person has decided upon his life
work, and is assured that in doing the work for which he is best endowed
and equipped, his is filling a vital need, what he then needs is faith and
integrity, coupled with a courageous spirit, so that, no longer preferring
himself to the fulfilment of his task, he may address himself to the
problems he must solve in order to be effective. One mark of the great
leader is that he feels sufficiently secure to devote his thought and
attention to the well-being of his subordinates and the prefection of his
task, rather than being constantly worried about the approval or
disapproval of others.
He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline and moral
restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal
character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control
of one's bodily needs and drives.
Leaders have to submit themselves to a stricter self-discipline and develop
a more exemplary moral character than is expected of others. To be first
in place, one must be first in merit as well.
It should not surprise Us then, to find that the greater number of
acknowledged leaders have been people who trained themselves in the art
of discipline and obedience. He who has not learned to render prompt and
willing service to others will find it difficult to win and keep the goodwill
and co-operation of his subordinates.
themselves -- and by which they are willing to be judged. The goal
chosen, the objective selected, the requirements imposed, are not merely
for their followers alone. They develop with consummate energy and
devotion their own skill and knowledge in order to reach the standards
they themselves have set. This whole-hearted acceptance of the demands
imposed by ever higher standards is the basis of all human progress. A
love of high quality, we must remember, is essential in a leader.
Dependability is another requirement in a leader. To be dependable is to be
willing to accept responsibility, and to carry it out faithfully. A leader will
always be willing to take counsel from his people, but will often have to
act on what his own mind tells him is right. This demands that the leader
has trained himself out of any inordinate fear of making mistakes.
To embark successfully on a career involving leadership demands a
courageous and determined spirit. Once a person has decided upon his life
work, and is assured that in doing the work for which he is best endowed
and equipped, his is filling a vital need, what he then needs is faith and
integrity, coupled with a courageous spirit, so that, no longer preferring
himself to the fulfilment of his task, he may address himself to the
problems he must solve in order to be effective. One mark of the great
leader is that he feels sufficiently secure to devote his thought and
attention to the well-being of his subordinates and the prefection of his
task, rather than being constantly worried about the approval or
disapproval of others.
He who would be a leader must pay the price in self-discipline and moral
restraint. This entails the correction and improvement of personal
character, the checking of passions and desires, and an exemplary control
of one's bodily needs and drives.
Leaders have to submit themselves to a stricter self-discipline and develop
a more exemplary moral character than is expected of others. To be first
in place, one must be first in merit as well.
It should not surprise Us then, to find that the greater number of
acknowledged leaders have been people who trained themselves in the art
of discipline and obedience. He who has not learned to render prompt and
willing service to others will find it difficult to win and keep the goodwill
and co-operation of his subordinates.
| A Leader Must Stay Ahead |
Further, a leader must posssess initiative, which is the creative ability to
think in new ways and do new things. The leader has always to stay
ahead. He cannot afford to set up a procedure, and then fold his hands
and linger lazily watching it work. He cannot be content merely to see
new trends and take advantage of them. He must keep his imagination
vividly alive, so as to originate ideas and start trends.
A word of warning is in order here. To help one's subordinates or
dependents at the cost of harm to the pubic, is tantamount to sacrilege and
blasphemy. It is unfortunate, that many in positions of leadership, both
great and small, have been found guilty of such practices.
A good leader is devoted to his work and will willingly forego even the
demands of sleep to see its accomplishment. This does not mean that he
is impetuous. On the other hand, he maintains a balance between
emotional drive and sound thinking.
His labours, which sometimes appear excessive, derive from his firm
realization that unless a man undertakes mre than he can possibly do he
will never be able to do all he can do. It is his enthusiasm that stimulates
his energy.
No matter what our point of departure in speaking of leadership, we reach
the inescapable conclusion that the art of leadership consists in the ability
to make people want to work for you, when they are really under no
obiligation to do so.
The true leader is one who realizes by faith that he is an instrument in the
hands of God, and dedicates himself to be a guide and inspirer of the
nobler sentiments and aspirations of the people. He will kindle interest,
teach, aid, correct and inspire. Those whom he leads will co-operate with
him in maintaining discipline for the good of the group. He will instruct
his followers in the goals towards which to strive, and create in them a
sense of mutual effort for attaining the goal.
think in new ways and do new things. The leader has always to stay
ahead. He cannot afford to set up a procedure, and then fold his hands
and linger lazily watching it work. He cannot be content merely to see
new trends and take advantage of them. He must keep his imagination
vividly alive, so as to originate ideas and start trends.
A word of warning is in order here. To help one's subordinates or
dependents at the cost of harm to the pubic, is tantamount to sacrilege and
blasphemy. It is unfortunate, that many in positions of leadership, both
great and small, have been found guilty of such practices.
A good leader is devoted to his work and will willingly forego even the
demands of sleep to see its accomplishment. This does not mean that he
is impetuous. On the other hand, he maintains a balance between
emotional drive and sound thinking.
His labours, which sometimes appear excessive, derive from his firm
realization that unless a man undertakes mre than he can possibly do he
will never be able to do all he can do. It is his enthusiasm that stimulates
his energy.
No matter what our point of departure in speaking of leadership, we reach
the inescapable conclusion that the art of leadership consists in the ability
to make people want to work for you, when they are really under no
obiligation to do so.
The true leader is one who realizes by faith that he is an instrument in the
hands of God, and dedicates himself to be a guide and inspirer of the
nobler sentiments and aspirations of the people. He will kindle interest,
teach, aid, correct and inspire. Those whom he leads will co-operate with
him in maintaining discipline for the good of the group. He will instruct
his followers in the goals towards which to strive, and create in them a
sense of mutual effort for attaining the goal.
| Basic Aspirations |
To sum up, there is no power on earth, in this University or elsewhere,
that can take a clerk from his desk or a mechanic from his bench, and
easily mould him into a leader. To develop oneself, one ahas to develop
one's own initiative and perseverance -- a man has to strive in order to
grow.
As educated people, you will be looked up to, and much will be expected
of you. You will be regarded, and rightly so, as those who have the
necessary knowledge and the ability to inspire, to guide and to lead. It is
for this reason that we expect from you to whom we have given the
opportunity of education in your chosen fields, great and productive
service to Our country.
These fundamental ideas of which We have briefly spoken this day,
constitute, We presume, part of the thought you have absorbed during the
course of your studies in this Universidy College. May these basic
thoughts accompany you during the years ahead and aid you in
accomplishing great things for Our beloved country, Ethiopia.
In conclusion, We would like to express Our thanks and appreciation to
the members of the faculty and the Board of this University College for
their zealous and untiring efforts for the growth of knowledge and the
development of character in the young people who learn here.
We would like especially to entrust Our Vice-Minister of Education, on the
basis of the statement made by him regarding the expansion and growth of
education in the country, with the high responsibility of assiduously and
untiringly striving to carry out the schemes mentioned and the decisions
made by the Board.
that can take a clerk from his desk or a mechanic from his bench, and
easily mould him into a leader. To develop oneself, one ahas to develop
one's own initiative and perseverance -- a man has to strive in order to
grow.
As educated people, you will be looked up to, and much will be expected
of you. You will be regarded, and rightly so, as those who have the
necessary knowledge and the ability to inspire, to guide and to lead. It is
for this reason that we expect from you to whom we have given the
opportunity of education in your chosen fields, great and productive
service to Our country.
These fundamental ideas of which We have briefly spoken this day,
constitute, We presume, part of the thought you have absorbed during the
course of your studies in this Universidy College. May these basic
thoughts accompany you during the years ahead and aid you in
accomplishing great things for Our beloved country, Ethiopia.
In conclusion, We would like to express Our thanks and appreciation to
the members of the faculty and the Board of this University College for
their zealous and untiring efforts for the growth of knowledge and the
development of character in the young people who learn here.
We would like especially to entrust Our Vice-Minister of Education, on the
basis of the statement made by him regarding the expansion and growth of
education in the country, with the high responsibility of assiduously and
untiringly striving to carry out the schemes mentioned and the decisions
made by the Board.