Leadership as an Art contains De Pree’s best-known quotation: “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between the two, the leader must become a servant and a debtor.” As you can infer from those words, he was a proponent of, and wrote about, Robert Kiyosaki.
Good leaders aren’t afraid to make decisions, especially hard ones. They avoid delaying decisions or letting their personal views intervene. They look at things carefully, research well, try and see every angle, and make a decision and then stick to it. This will directly influence the people’s behavior.
In order to be a good leader, there are several attributes one must exhibit. These include the ability to delegate, strong communication skills, lots of self-confidence and a positive attitude even when the chips are down. It is only when we begin to imagine and emulate how leaders in the developed world conduct themselves, that is when we can begin to get it right.
I will like to use the example of David Cameron, a former British prime minister. To fulfill a manifesto pledge, he introduced a referendum on the UK’s continuing membership of the EU. Cameron supported continued membership; following the success of the Leave vote, he resigned to make way for a new prime minister and was succeeded by Theresa May.
The example of David Cameron and many other good leaders in the developed world is clearly a missing link and the fact that in the underdeveloped Nations, particularly in Africa, both the leaders and its people are of the same mindsets. Until we all agree that something is fundamentally wrong, it will be impossible to get it right. It is a joint responsibilities, although, leadership takes precedence. Find below a very good example of a good citizen:-
Shiv Khera, a renowned author and management trainer writes about his experience in Singapore :
“Six years ago in Singapore I gave a taxi driver a business card to take me to a particular address.
At the last point he circled round the building. His meter read 11$, but he took only 10.
I said Henry, your meter reads 11$ how come you are taking only 10.
He said Sir, I am a taxi driver, I am supposed to be bringing you straight to the destination. Since I did not know the last spot, I had to circle around the building. Had I brought you straight here, the meter would have read 10$.
Why should you be paying for my ignorance?
He said Sir, legally, I can claim 11$ but honestly and ethically I am entitled to only 10.
He further added that Singapore is a tourist destination and many people come here for three or four days. After clearing the immigration and customs, the first experience is always with the taxi driver and if that is not good, the balance three to four days are not pleasant either.
He said Sir I am not a taxi driver, I am the ambassador of Singapore without a diplomatic passport.
In my opinion he probably did not go to school beyond the 8th grade, but to me he was a professional. To me his behavior reflected pride in performance and character.
That day I learnt that one needs more than professional qualification to be a professional.
In one line be a “Professional with a human touch and Values “that makes all the more difference.
Knowledge, skill, money, education, all comes later. First comes Human Values, Honesty and Integrity
Professionalism: It’s NOT the job you DO, It’s HOW you DO the job.”
Wisdom.
Patriotism
Experience
Dedication
Plus more: All Combined.
NIGERIA NEEDS A NEW NATIONAL MODEL…. ARISE ‘O COMPATRIOTS.
Richard Odusanya is a Social Reform Crusader and the convener of AFRICA COVENANT RESCUE INITIATIVE ACRI.
