CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

CSD Convened Leadership Development Program for Chief Executives

CSD organized a two day "Mindful Leadership Development" Program for the Chairperson, CEOs and DCEOs of Microfinance Institutions and Cooperatives operating microfinance program from December 24-25, 2021 (Poush 13-14, 2078). The objective of the program was to making the microfinance sector more dynamic with new insights and creativity through mindful leadership.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of the Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha said that the leadership of microfinance needs to be mindful if the condition of the target group and the country is to be improved. He said "First and second tier leaders from their respective microfinance institutions are present here. You all have enough skill, education and capacity. We also need to be Mindful in the current situation. The leadership of microfinance needs to be dutiful, patient and free from greed. Greed weakens the leadership and begins the downward journey of oneself and the organization too. We are in a campaign of "Clean Microfinance". In order to create clean microfinance, first the leadership has to be clean and mindful which leads to the achievements and success. If the image of the leadership is not good then the image of the employee also cannot be good and eventually the image of the organization will be bad."

He further said "We are facing many challenges. Right now the main challenge for Nepal is poverty and unemployment. We can overcome these two problems with smooth and proper delivery of microfinance service. Therefore, the leadership of microfinance should be mindful and services determined. Earlier, the microfinance of Nepal was best in the world and microfinance staffs were disciplined and respectable. One of the team of Bangladesh MFIs experts after their visit to Nepal said that Nepal's microfinance institutions and members are more disciplined than the Bangladesh. Microfinance staffs also have to work as hard as a gardeners to raise the living standards of their members. The main problem is that CEOs who are in the lead now do not visit the field and do not have the right view of ground reality. They need to be responsible to the members and work for their wellbeing. I do not mean to say that you have not done anything. You have done a lot of work. But there are some mistakes that need to be corrected. That is why we have to move forward with right discretion and determination. Let's be mindful first. Employee will follow us. Thus, let's move forward to achieve the goal of the zero poverty by 2025, five year earlier than the UN Deadline 2030. It can change the face of the country. "Shrestha said.

On the occasion, Shrestha stressed on the need for the participants to put into practice the knowledge learned in the training. "What we have learned is necessary to put it into practice. Otherwise what learned is of no value. ” Shrestha said.

Mr. Bikal Prasad Sherchan, the Main Facilitator of the training, said that the leadership needs to be Mindful for success. In his deliberation in the program, he covered the aspects such as what constitutes mindful leadership, the concept of mindful leadership, how to practice mindful leadership, the principles of emotional leadership, its positive impact on personal and professional life and the practice of mindful leadership in the global arena. Mr. Sherchan also delivered on the theoretical as well as practical aspects for mindful leadership. Another trainer of the training, Ms. Usha Malla Singh, insighted on the art of mindful communication which should be followed by good leadership. Under this topics she convened on the importance of conscious communication and the three main elements of conscious communication, conscious observation, conscious listening and conscious behavior.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the training, Executive Chief of the Centre for Self- help Development (CSD) Mr. Bechan Giri stressed on the need of the mindful leadership to solve the problems seen in microfinance. "Our main aim is 'Clean Microfinance'. In order to make it effective, it is necessary for leadership to be mindful. If we follow our motive, we will be able to solve the problems of microfinance with ease. Many of the problems have been created by ourselves and so we have to solve them by ourselves. For this, the leadership needs to be prudent. ” Giri said.

The participants opined that the training provided them sufficient knowledge and mantras to become a mindful leader and it has made us easier to work. On behalf of the participants, Mr. Sudip Kumar Mandal of the Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Mr. Raj Kumar Shrestha of the Sreejansil Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Mr. Uday Raj Khatiwada of the Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Mr. Lokmani Regmi of the Jalpa Samudayik Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited, Ms. Sharada Pokhrel of the Upkar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Limited and Mr. Deepak Raj Dhungana of the Kisan Bahuuddesiya Sahakari Sanstha Limited shared their experiences of learning. In the program there were 34 participants comprising Chairmen, Board Members, Chief Executive Officers, Deputy Chief Executive Officers and high level officials of 21 microfinance and cooperatives organizations.

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