I read an interesting article in the Punch newspaper (January 2nd, 2012; pg 12) about how some members of the House of Representatives disagree on President Goodluck Jonathan’s leadership style.
According to the report, while members of Reps posit that Jonathan’s style of leadership is defect, thus worsening the situation in the country, Jonathan defended himself saying he does not subscribe to the idea of hasty decisions.
If you were in Nigeria on Christmas day or you keep abreast on different issues affecting Nigeria, then you’ll recall how long it took the 1st citizen of Nigeria to respond to the suicide bombing/Boko Haram attack of St Theresa Church in Madalla, Niger State.
But Jonathan says the reason why it took him so long to respond to the crisis and other national crisis was because he consults widely before taking action. Not a bad idea, huh?
In his words, “When I am challenged, I think more, I don’t rush to take decisions, I listen more to people. That is why sometimes it looks as if I’m slow…”
I'm not impressed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Not that he is out to impress me anyway. But instead of sitting and sulking over how things are growing from bad to worse at the moment, I have decided to list some things this government leader is teaching me about leadership. I hope others are taking note and learning from him too.
The Goodluck Jonathan administration has taught me that:1. As a leader, don't be afraid to learn from history. Learn from the mistakes of your predecessors and walk the talk.
2. As a leader, keep in mind that the wrath of the poor is like grease in the stomach. Don't incite it upon yourself.
3. As a leader, when you get to the position of power, never ever forget where you are coming from. If as a child you walked to school barefooted, don’t try to make a tech savvy generation go naked from lack.
4. As a leader, don't ever rob the resilient spirit of Nigerians on their faces by implementing cruel policies.
5. As a leader, don't surround yourself with too many "wise" or special advisers and sub-advisers. It will lead you to distraction and confusion.
6. When there is a crisis in the country, even if you must go dancing, don’t go. Pause the music and speak to the Nation. Nigerians as gullible as they appear are not so gullible.
7. Fire your speechwriters if upon reflection your speeches don’t correspond with your actions. The inconsistency will make you appear schizophrenic.
8. Nigerians know serving or ruling in Nigeria is not as easy as its spelling. It is okay to resign. Leadership is not by force.
Let’s keep learning. But don’t spend your energy romancing with pink politics; it might be our turn to serve tomorrow. God help us if we forget to learn from history.
I'm not impressed by the Goodluck Jonathan administration. Not that he is out to impress me anyway. But instead of sitting and sulking over how things are growing from bad to worse at the moment, I have decided to list some things this government leader is teaching me about leadership. I hope others are taking note and learning from him too.
The Goodluck Jonathan administration has taught me that:1. As a leader, don't be afraid to learn from history. Learn from the mistakes of your predecessors and walk the talk.
2. As a leader, keep in mind that the wrath of the poor is like grease in the stomach. Don't incite it upon yourself.
3. As a leader, when you get to the position of power, never ever forget where you are coming from. If as a child you walked to school barefooted, don’t try to make a tech savvy generation go naked from lack.
4. As a leader, don't ever rob the resilient spirit of Nigerians on their faces by implementing cruel policies.
5. As a leader, don't surround yourself with too many "wise" or special advisers and sub-advisers. It will lead you to distraction and confusion.
6. When there is a crisis in the country, even if you must go dancing, don’t go. Pause the music and speak to the Nation. Nigerians as gullible as they appear are not so gullible.
7. Fire your speechwriters if upon reflection your speeches don’t correspond with your actions. The inconsistency will make you appear schizophrenic.
8. Nigerians know serving or ruling in Nigeria is not as easy as its spelling. It is okay to resign. Leadership is not by force.
Let’s keep learning. But don’t spend your energy romancing with pink politics; it might be our turn to serve tomorrow. God help us if we forget to learn from history.
1 comment:
Thanks so much for this article. I'd always had this problem of our President sending his aides to speak to Nigerians about pressing National issues like terrorism when He's meant to roll up his sleeves and get on the podium. Nigeria is more divided than before. No thanks to the black gold we collectively depend on from the Richest to the Mallam in the North to the hustler on the streets of Lagos.
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