When I first found out about people calling upon Dr Yumkella to stand for the next presidential election, I thought it was all about giving Dr Yumkella the honour for his hard work in the entire Globe. But as I learnt more, I understood that these people, like parents, simply would like to give something in return to their beloved child, in the best way they know how if the son had done, they knew he will do all his best to bring progress to the family. Likewise for Dr Yumkella, the people themselves had taken the initiatives to call upon Dr Yumkella to the job. They had made their decisions out of their own convictions and faiths, in many cases with people like myself who didn’t know Dr Yumkella until I started reading on the media arena, I came to be passionate about the call to stand for presidency. However, I was struck by the ideas that what set us apart wasn’t anything more than how we had been influenced by the culture we grew up in and the values it had instilled in us as Sierra Leonean as we all cares about our beloved country. Meanwhile, I hold personal views about the political trend in our beloved country which I have to discuss in this debate in our political leaders in our country. This is my personal opinion to the trend of our political leaders in our country, Sierra Leone. The political leadership trend in our country today, it is the most definitely a complex phenomenon, but I want to be very clear that I’m not trying to present any answers through this debate or whatever you call it. To me, politics is like a project, people trying to understand something that is very different from the points as they used to understand it. Going back to the first point about our leaders and what contribution they have made towards the country, I will start by explain what leadership is all about in my perspectives. In retrospect, my intension is to raise questions, and leave the interpretation up to the viewers/readers, allowing them to make up their own minds about the political system and it phenomenon in our country. Leadership is like beauty it is hard to define but when you see the persons actions you know straight away this person is leader. My leadership philosophy is a set of beliefs and principles, that strongly influence how we interpret reality and guide how we understand the way the world works. It is this philosophy, our understanding and interpretation of leadership, that affects how we react to people, events and situations around us. How we think, determines how we behave! Steven Covey described this as the power of the space between stimulus and response: As Clifford, another contributor to the debate why Dr Yumkelle for Presidency?, and cited, Dr Yumkella is leader with core values and sense of purpose beyond just making money – this guides and inspired us throughout the diasporas with these convictions to call upon Dr Yumkella to stand for presidential election. Going back to the point of leadership, as I continue to read articles and stories about who should lead our country, I noticed two trends, the one advocate the proposes that leaders are a select few people who are born with a unique set of skills and possess a rare leadership abilities, they are naturally gifted and talented. The other second trend of thought proposes that leaders are made, that is they learn, grow and develop into great leaders through the books they read, the people they associate with and from their experiences. My take on this discussion is that leaders are not made or born, and I strongly believe that I am not the only person with this perspective. If this is case, so be it Dr Yumkella, you are already a leader. Our country have had many leaders for the past decade but most of them made little or no fundamental changes to the progress of the country. Our country today, Leadership is fundamental to change the status quo – creating a vision of the future to aligning and inspiring the people of the nation to take actions to make it happen. It’s about creating something positive or changing what is already there but do not fit for purpose. Everyone have to take ownership and leadership at all level and be empowered, and by doing so with this positive change of mind set culture, we can make things happen. How many changes Dr Yumkella has done all over the world? numerous and he continues to make great changes, giving people second changes in their lives all over the globe. Dr Yumkellas work inclusively whatever colour, race, culture, nationality etc. This is the type of leader we need who can break the gaps and build bridges. You can see how easy it can be for Dr Yumkellas standing position. Dr Yumkella was native born in the Northern part of Sierra Leone, and undertook his secondary education in South East part of the country, Bo. This is already a good mix for change. I thanked Clifford once again for sharing his perspectives on the day-to-day politics of our country. I just don’t know, however, how your perspectives will serve to clarify or confound the issue further. however, I will render help to make it easier for the readers. There is no doubt exists that leadership deals with change, social processes, and results and that it exists as distributed, personal, and developmental in human nature; at least, as you have described them succulently. As Greenleaf (1977) cited in a dictionary definition of leadership as something like: going out ahead and showing the way. If that holds true, then (notwithstanding John Maxwell’s stated position) influence and the resulting commitment serve as antecedents to, rather than factors of “leadership.” For example, before I engage in the actual act of following, someone will have had to sell (influence) to me the point where I buy in (commit), either to a person, a vision or a process. Additionally, with all other things equal, that influence and subsequent commitment might or might not result from the efforts of the same persons. In many daily instances, the people who influence me to commit, differ from the people who actually go before me to show the way — even on the same projects. I agreed with your opinion, Clifford, you have really identified a combination of skill sets, generally necessary for people who will lead others to succeed in life, rather than just to lead. I further suggest that the skill set that supports influencing differs from the skills set used by people to go before and show the way. If you really desire to isolate the skills unique to leadership (and not life), I recommend that you take a more minimalist approach. Now think about the basic managerial or leadership skills to function effectively and efficiently as a leader. Basic functions: Management operates through five basic functions: planning, organizing, coordinating, commanding, and controlling. Dr Yumkella will not learn any of these skills mentioned below anymore to manage and lead his team of personnel in their respective posts if he become the president. Planning: Deciding what needs to happen in the future and generating plans for action. Organizing: Making sure the human and nonhuman resources are put into place Coordinating: Creating a structure through which an organizations goals can be accomplished. Commanding: Determining what must be done in a situation and getting people to do it. Controlling: Checking progress against plans. Basic roles: Interpersonal: roles that involve coordination and interaction with employees Informational: roles that involve handling, sharing, and analyzing information Decisional: roles that require decision-making. Skills: Political: used to build a power base and establish connections Conceptual: used to analyze complex situations. Interpersonal: used to communicate, motivate, mentor and delegate Diagnostic: ability to visualize most appropriate response to a situation Technical: Expertise in ones particular functional area. These skill mix is good strategy for any leader in a formation of public department to help with it personnel to function effectively and efficiently to run the nation. Formation of the of the government strategy and policy The mission of any government in it out most obvious purpose, it is, to continue to develop the country, and ensuring that the basic needs (adequate housing, healthcare services, good education, water systems, electricity, road and security) of its citizens are met in a collective fashion. The vision of the government reflects its aspirations and specifies its intended direction or future destination. The objectives of the government refers to the ends or activity that is the goal of a certain tasks. The governments policy is a guide that stipulates rules, regulations and objectives, and may be used in the executives, legislation and judiciary decision-making process. It must be flexible and easily interpreted and understood by all civil servants or employees. The government strategy refers to the coordinated plan of action it takes and resources it uses to realize its vision and long-term objectives. It is a guideline to executives, stipulating how they ought to allocate and use the factors of government day-to-day activities to take advantage. Initially, it could help the executives decide on what type of government departmental they want to create or improved. Implementation of policies and strategies: All policies and strategies must be discussed with all executives, legislators and managerial personnel and staff. Executives and Legislators must understand where and how they can implement their policies and strategies. A plan of action must be devised for each department. Policies and strategies must be reviewed regularly. Contingency plans must be devised in case the environment changes. Top-level Leaders should able to carry out regular progress assessments. Each government department requires good leaders with ethical and moral values with a team spirit and a good environment. The strengths and weaknesses of each department must be analysed to determine their roles in achieving the governments mission. The approach helps the country progress, a reliable picture of each department and it environment. A planning unit must be created to ensure that all plans are consistent and that policies and strategies are aimed at achieving the same goals and objectives. All policies must be discussed with all executives, legislators, judiciary and civil servants managerial that are required in the execution of any departmental policy. Change can be strategically achieved through the implementation of such plan of actions. Increase urgency, get the vision right, communicate the buy-in, empower action, create short-term wins, dont let up, and make change stick. Government Policies and strategies in the planning process. They give top and subordinate-civil servants a good idea of the future plans for each department in the entire country. A framework is created whereby plans and decisions are made. Top and low civil servant may add their own plans to the departments strategies. These are some of the skills some of our political leaders lacks today, inevitably, it has led our country to endemic and systematic failures and the inability to completely eradicate these problems in our country. Sierra Leone needs a leader who understands how the system works, you will argue that a leader who is a systemic thinker like Dr Yumkella. Metaphorically, let view the practice of system thinking in the case of our country to helps us see the underlying inter-relationships and connections which create these events ( such as, lack of leadership and political skills, inexperienced, bribery, corruptions, poverty, war, poor roads, poor education, chronic unemployment and lack of healthcare services, water systems etc) occurring in the systems in our country. There is saying that, The whole is always greater than the sum of the parts…why we need more system dynamic thinking and acting in a world overcome by reductionist thinking. Lets me answer this point again for the readers. The core assumption that underlies a systems approach in my discussion, in that our country consists of bad interconnected systems, relationships and interactions. This implies that everything interacts with everything else everywhere in the whole country. These complex relationships mean introducing change is difficult and risky. For change to be effective in Sierra Leone we have to change our mind set culture and focus on the underlying systems, structures, and process structure that are responsible for creating the events (e.g. corrupt leaders and their civil servants) and trends we see and in so doing create different results. Merely reacting to events and trends results in failed change. This is evident to the attempts made by our past leaders trying to implement changes with no understand of the complex relations to these problems. A leader who fail to recognise these problems and how they interconnected with each other will eventually fail. Unfortunately, we would ever remain to blame ourselves for electing selfish leaders who are self-centred. My question is how do our leaders go about to implement positive changes which can be effective and sustainable? Now let me help to answer this question but again I will have to compare and contrast to justify my perspective on this topic. These questions brought me back old memories. When I read a book about “Aristotles” a Spanish book translated in English. This book form part of students Theatre History classes at the (Universidad Popular de Guatemala). Aristotles Egos, Logos, and Pathos is an important part in theatre because it teaches the way of talking with eloquence, emphasis and determination. You have to convince the public of the character you are trying to project to the public. I think this should be included as part of the criteria for anyone who wants to take either ministerial or presidential position in our beloved country, Sierra Leone. I am sure most people will support me on this suggestion. But first, give me some time to explain the meaning of these words, Egos, Logos, and Pathos and why it is important to include in our political system criteria in our country. And I will not give no apologise to anyone whom might be offended for specific issues raise in this discussion. Ethos: Persuade with Character: Ethos (Greek for “character”) is related to the English word ethics. Ethos is an ethical appeal and means convincing by character. It refers to the trustworthiness and credibility of the speaker or author. Pathos works to persuade when we believe that the speaker is credible – they know what they’re talking about – and ethical – they do not intend to harm us. We are persuaded by others who are competent, have expertise, authority, integrity and character. For example we trust the advice of doctors because we believe they know what they’re talking about and that they are good people. Logos: Persuade with Logic: Logos (Greek for “an opinion” or “a ground”) is the foundation for the English word logic. The appeal works because of the structure of the message, the logic of its reasons, the supporting facts and evidence. Logic appeals using reasoning, supporting information, data, facts and evidence as it’s tools. Pathos: Persuade with Emotion: Pathos (Greek for “suffering” or “experience”) and is related to the English words sympathy or empathy. Pathos works by appealing to the audience’s emotions. It triggers the audience to respond emotionally to the speakers argument. When we accept an appeal because of the way it makes us feel, we’re being persuaded by pathos. Whist appeals to reason changes our thinking, emotional appeals trigger action. Emotional appeals are best used for moving people to decision and action. The Power of Three: Effective leaders employ all three appeals together in an integrated way. Effective persuasion happens when you take time to the ensure you’re credible, to using logic to change thinking and when you use emotion to move people to action. When you watch Dr Yumkellas presentation on the world affairs, you really seen how he uses all these aspects into his communication to people, this captured the imagination of the wider audience. I suggests to those people forcing their ways into politics, the next time you have message and you need persuade others explore the use of the three rhetorical appeals. I came across three names of people already in the position to stand for the next presidential election, namely Mada Bio, Mohamed Kabba. We knew that Dr Yumkella has not declare himself as a candidate for the next presidential election. Now, I am appealing to my brother, sisters, fathers and mothers of the land of Sierra Leone, amongst these three people whom do you believe possess the characteristics highlighted above?. The answer is obvious, but as I mentioned previously that I am not here to tell you whom you should elect, I leave it with you to decide as we have a democratic process of electing our leaders. Frankly, successful leaders are those who have demonstrated their ability to move their society tangibly in the direction that seemed clearly supportive of their suggested ‘grand design’. Unsuccessful leaders are those whose efforts to move their society in the direction of their choosing have backfired or brought about results clearly destructive of their propagated strategic vision. Historical evidence suggests that a good number of political leaders evade academic attempts at neat classification, as they switched from the one to the other side of the ‘successful/ unsuccessful’ divide at various times in their political careers and especially in time of crisis or when other seem to take the country to progress. Why the then President Valentine Strasser was overthrown in a meaningless coup? What purpose does this served the nation?. This raise again the question why people who hold public offices should and must possess both political and leadership skills at their Jobs. In offices, the word politics makes many of us think of favouritism, back-stabbing and self-promotion at its worst. Politics is present in all organizations and probably always will be. Avoiding or ignoring it limits you and your organization to progress. To be an effective leader you must acknowledge political reality in your organization and develop your political skills. As Clifford succinctly analyses it, Dr Yumkella do not need to learn these skills, already in possess, a politician and a leader with great political skills. Dr Yumkella do not have to play nasty politics, but a true and honest politics. Politics, at its core, is neutral. There are good political skills, which most people appreciate, and there are also bad political skills, which causes a lot of dissension. People who think badly of politics often associate it with negative personal experiences. Someone got a raise that didn’t seem justified or a promotion for which better candidates were bypassed. When politics works to a person’s advantage, however, they are more likely to see it as a justified result of skills and hard work. This led our country to the dark ages, tribalism, nepotisms and other forms of discriminatory behaviour amongst ourselves. What political skills are? I define it, based my perspectives, Politics, it is about the ability to understand and effectively influence others for personal organizational/ nation progress. Politics does not have to be a zero-sum game, so good political skills can bring positive results for all parties, allowing people to tailor their behaviour to particular contexts and helping organizations unlock their potential. Leaders continually need to adopt to different people and situations, particularly at the next ten to fifteen years our country needs good leadership most. Politically skilled people like Dr Yumkella knows how to do that. He can diagnose a situation and adjust his behaviour accordingly. He can also rally support for his views because others typically perceive him as more competent than leaders who lack these political skills. Lack of political skills, on the other hand, can have serious consequences both for leaders and their entire country as a whole. Evidence shows that leaders who are not politically astute run the risk of being demoted, fired or otherwise slipping off their intended career tracks, inevitably leading to real disruptions to the country progress. This was a result of our 11 years civil war, coups and counter coups, led to the destructions of our country. We’ve found that the less politically skilled leaders are, the more likely they are to have problems with interpersonal relationships and with building and leading an organisation, a party or a country. That means they’re more likely to damage their careers, since evidence has also shown that poor interpersonal skills are the biggest reason promising leaders’ careers go off course. Here’s an important paradox: If you have political skills, you appear not to have it. That’s because skilful political behaviour usually comes across as genuine, like Dr Yumkella, authentic, straightforward and effective. Leaders who aren’t politically skilled, on the other hand, end up looking manipulative or self-serving. We all know both kinds of people. Politically skilled leaders are masters in four crucial areas: social astuteness, interpersonal influence, networking ability and apparent sincerity. Evidence has identified two additional dimensions of political skill: thinking before speaking and managing up. As a leader it’s wise to work steadily on each of them. Here’s a rundown of all six for advice. –Think before you speak. Politically skilled leaders are careful about expressing feelings. They think about the timing and presentation of what they have to say. –Manage up–and down. Leaders need to skilfully manage up by communicating with their followers and keeping higher-ups informed. But this can become a double-edged sword; research shows that the people who are most skilled at managing up tend not to invest enough energy in building and leading their teams. True political skills involves relationships with teammates/colleagues and direct reports as well as higher-ups. –Influence effectively. Leaders who are effective influencers have good rapport with others and build strong interpersonal relationships. They also tend to have a better understanding of broader situations and better judgment about when to assert themselves. That, in turn, creates better relationships. Skilled influencers are not usually overtly political. They are seen as competent leaders who play the game fairly. Their graceful political style is taken as a positive, not negative, force within the organization. –Get your cues right. Socially astute leaders are well-versed in social interaction. In social settings they accurately assess their own behaviour as well as that of others. Their strong powers of discernment and high self-awareness contribute to their political effectiveness. –Network well. Skilled networkers build friendships and working relationships by gathering support, negotiating and managing conflict. They know when to call on others and are seen as willing to reciprocate. –Be sincere. Politically skilled individuals display high levels of integrity, authenticity, sincerity and genuineness. They really are–and also are viewed as–honest, open and forthright, inspiring trust and confidence. Whether we like it or not, politics is a mainstay of a political party or organizational life. As leaders we can pretend they don’t exist, or we can get in the game right now in a positive way. I read some articles with cynical ways some supporters described one of these leaders convictions. I was sceptic about such convictions because it has led our country into setbacks up to date. Sadly, not anyone willing to fairly examine the way this leader was presented as someone with great leadership skills, without citing any credible or compelling evidence for their views. I am interested in evidence and I have seen these evidence which has no credibility so far to the type of leadership skills this person possess. This person himself will not claim to posses leadership skills as his supporters suggested. When some of our brothers and sisters stated that he brought peace in our country, Sierra Leone. We heard some of them and see how they analyzed the evidence for what is perhaps the most important question in the history of our country, Sierra Leone: Did this person really brought peace? What was behind all these claims? This is something only a fool would dare say, if he expect this person to win in 2017 presidential election. Honestly, no one will ever dared say a thing like that, except a fool. In other words, since this person is now the flag bearer had clearly shown willingness to stand for presidency, and his supporter will continue to support him despite the facts that, he stand no chance to win. On the other hand, failure to keep his promises would exposes his whole project. The nation will start to ask about his convictions, like `So could this have been simply a story that grew over time, or is it based upon solid evidence? The answer to this question is foundational the cause of nepotism and tribalism. For if this person did stand for presidential election, it would validate everything they said about him even when most member of the party knew he will lose the election. I have now come to the conclusion that the coup plot against Valentine Strasser was one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless people ever foisted upon the minds of men and women in our country OR you will say, it is the most fantastic fact of history. These Evidence and facts are already clearly demonstrated in the style and approach of this persons, self-centred and opportunistic. Why anyone from the Northern part of the country should not lead this Party so call SLPP, is it because the person is not born from the East of South, you will also say, the person is not a Mende by tribe. Once again, I ask, so, is this person’ a peacemaker, bridge builder, a claimed fact or a vicious myth? To find out, we need to look at the evidence of history and draw our own conclusions. But I suggest once again, do not go deep into history, look how politically over ambitious to lead the country. Let’s see what His supporters have to say about the type of person and how democratic he is. What evidence do these provides analysts proffer to support their slanderous assertions about others? Absolutely none. Knowing sordid history of false flagship and dirty tricks, one would be foolhardy to dismiss the possibility that the “Backbiting” scandal that has unfolded over the past few days is yet another Julius Ceaser Shakespeare stage-play designed to derail the credibility of others who are well capable to lead the party to it progress. As Andrew Keilis views inadvertently, and demonstrated clearly on the behaviour of certain members of this party, others will argue that Andrew Keills appeals to the party members was another political stunt to boost his credibility. Under the present leadership, A united SLPP is bad for most of the party members, Why? because they do not want to see someone from the Northern part of the country to lead the party. Well, a number of events that have unfolded over the past few weeks, months and years have explained it all. Long lived Sierra Leone and may the month of this Holy and Blessed Ramadan be with you All and I also Pray for our people who are currently caught in the midst of this Ebola Disease receive everlasting treatments and cure.
Posted on: Thu, 03 Jul 2014 16:53:28 +0000