OBASANJO: GREATEST
LEADERS ARE TRANSFORMATIONAL
by D. Akinsanya Juliuson HonDBA, IOM
Legendry King Solomon didn’t
have perfect wisdom. He was pretty shrewd but he still made a few
mistakes. Even saints don’t have infinite patience. They all lose
their temper at some point in their lives. We are all human. We all go
wrong from time to time. We all need to make allowances….for ourselves
and the people around us. Whatever we’re cross about - whoever we’re
annoyed with, we must learn to reach out to someone who isn’t any more
or less perfect than we are….but who can surely help us. When we work
as part of a team, we can accomplish much more than we might ever
manage to achieve on our own. Unless, that is, our team is shambolic
and disorganised or made up of incompetent people, full of talented
individuals who are busy competing that, they can’t cooperate or
narrow-mindedly selfish individuals who will sell both their birth
rights or their children’s future in order to fulfil their never to be
accomplished dreams. Of late we have in this country been inclined to
feel that it’s easier to work on our own than to rely on the support
of specialists or experts or the support of others. Now, we really
don’t need to struggle on single-handedly. At least one special Leader
is now willing and more than able to assist us in our delicate but
important endeavour. An offer is forthcoming from the creator of
Nigeria and everything that exists in our beloved country. The supreme
God who gives lives and who has power over human kingdoms; and who can
give them to anyone he chooses, even to those who are the least
important. Let’s accept it or if we can’t see it, let’s request for
it.
All too often, we
underestimate the extent of our influence and importance. We suspect
we are not going to be able to get whatsoever on earth we want, and we
begin to wonder whether we are actually entitled to want it in the
first place. Our confidence comes and goes in waves. Right now, in our
country Nigeria, several deep pools remain scattered around the
shore-line. The tide appears to be out. It can only be a short while,
before it starts rolling back in again, along with all the proof we
need that we are doing the right thing and that it is beginning to
work. Trees are pretty good at being trees. Over many millennia they
have evolved to reach the peak of their potential. They are a good
example of a life impulse at its most magnificent. Human beings, by
contrast, are not always quite so good at being human. Most manage the
“being” part well enough. But if the definition of human involves a
particular level of sensitivity or intelligence, it is arguable how
many of us fully live up to it. And even the wisest and most tolerant
amongst us have our bad days. Let’s ask God for leaders who are
blessed with the ability to keep people working with them and not
against them. Let’s pray for a president who is blessed with the
ability to sell his ideas, handle complaints and develop a “be the
best” attitude. A president who can establish trust, handle and
pre-handle objections, build solid relationship with the grassroots
and the entire nation.
Why would any two ethereal
beings entwine eternally when they can mix and mingle freely with the
whole of the universe? It is surely only here on Earth that we
experience such a strong urge to form mutually exclusive alliances.
Yet the truth is that no matter how deep the affinity between two
people, much sooner rather than later they will exasperate each other.
Tension in our country between the Hausas, Yorubas and Ibos is not a
proof of incompatibility – merely of human fallibility. I mentioned
something before about the ties that bind us to one another – and the
commitments that can sometimes keep us all from exploring our full
potential. Here, today, are some further thoughts about freedom – or
the lack of it. It is when we try to pin things down that we are in
greatest danger of coming unstuck. And it is when we try to tie things
up that we tend to lose the thread.
The best connections are
always voluntary. If matters have to be forced, the likelihood is that
they will always give rise to more tension than satisfaction. Why do
we need to be afraid now in this great country? Albert Einstein once
famously insisted that, God does not play dice with the universe.
Maybe so, but it often seems as if the cosmos might be indulging in
the occasional game of hide and seek. So often things seem hopelessly
out of reach or, indeed, even out of sight. Then, just as we’ve given
up all hope of ever finding them, they appear right before our eyes.
After all we have recently been wrestling with in this country of
ours. We are starting to suspect that we live in an unfair world. Not
so. We merely exist on a planet full of surprises. Some of these, as
we will soon see, are to me very pleasant. Much sooner though, the
Sodom and Gomorrah in our country will cease to exist and the
righteous, the patriots and the hopefuls will inherit the land.
The greatest leaders are transformational —
the ones that are truly creative, rather than simply transactional or
merely managerial. Right now,
President Obasanjo must
understand why this generation of patriotic Nigerians, demands a
humble and natural leader, with the right thinking mind and natural
skills of leadership management. Our President must understand why we
demand a leader who knows how to use strategic thinking and planning
techniques. Someone who appreciates the importance of vision, values,
and culture. We require a humble, sensible, selfless, cultured,
sympathetic and understanding leader by nature. President Obasanjo
must feel our need and pray on this generation’s behalf for a
President who knows how to inspire and energise his people, and how to
keep every goal orientated.
We are asking God for a
President who is not out of touch with reality and who will do good
without making noise; a leader who knows how to use accountabilities,
performance appraisals and how to build effective teams including
representatives, conflict managers, negotiators, mediators, ministers,
advisers, ambassadors etc. We need a
true leader who will be able to lead the group not with authority or
power, but with philosophy and character. I’m very glad that President
Obasanjo understands and appreciate the fact that, only a leader who
is selfless, who has a dedicated attitude toward serving the group,
who maintains a philosophy that resonates with every individual in the
group, and indicates a clear direction for the group to follow, will
successfully unite a group under his leadership.
Nigeria needs a president who
knows how to analyse his leadership style and empower others. A leader
who knows how to make decisions, and communicate effectively. Someone
who understands the needs of Nigerians both at home and abroad; and
how to introduce change where and when necessary. We need a leader
who knows what it’s like to be cheated, to be falsely blackmailed, to
be written off, to be falsely imprisoned. We need a president who
knows how to balance the equation, set clear goals for him and others
including his teams. A leader who knows how to resolve issues and
maintain effectiveness under pressure. Someone who is able to
delegate, support and motivate. We need a President who is blessed
with the ability to praise and provide constructive criticism.
God will surely bless us with
a leader who will establish roles and responsibilities, set realistic
and measurable objectives. We can’t attain perfection in Nigeria – but
in aiming for it, we can come quite close. Let’s give it a try. What
if it doesn’t work out? What if, despite our best efforts to move a
mountain, the darn thing refuses to budge? Won’t we end up looking
foolish? Perhaps – but not as silly as we will appear if, having
shrugged our shoulders and given up in a moment of pessimism, it
suddenly becomes clear that with just a little more effort we could
have worked a miracle. One way or another very soon, I believe we are
probably going to end up looking slightly silly in some people’s eyes
– but we are also going to make a great breakthrough. I strongly
believe from the bottom of my heart that, in the absence of the
enemies of both Nigeria and the future of this generation of
Nigerians, 2007 will be a year of restoration, quote me on this again.
We have one problem in Nigeria
we don’t always bring out the best in each other. Sometimes, indeed,
no matter how hard we try to be fair and reasonable in our dealings
with others, we end up having bad reactions. We say things we know are
unlikely to go down well. Sometimes we even deliberately stir up a
little conflict and controversy, just because something mischievous
within us cannot resist the urge. I’m seriously not suggesting we
personally do any of these things – no – but I suspect we know some
people who fit this description. We therefore must in addition to
being careful how we interact with people like these, pray for a
leader who will use leadership and communication skills. We must ask
the Most High for a president who understands how to succeed in the
high-responsibility but low-authority environment. Leaders don’t make
noise; they listen, communicate and dialogue.
Leadership is about respecting
other leaders and people in position of authority. A leader who lacks
respect and the wisdom to respect true heroes and heroines or those
higher than him is of no use to any nation. We must pray to God for
well mannered, cultured, sensible and respectful lawmakers who are
blessed with the right tools of parliamentary diplomacy, with dignity,
wisdom and understanding. It’s tough at the top. It’s tough at the
bottom, too, but at least the folk down there can have a dream. Those
poor people at the pinnacle have no such comforting illusions left.
Yet, that’s life for you – big on promise, small on delivery. When we
get something good, we need to hang on to it. When we get something
bad, we need to push it as far away as possible. And when we are not
sure whether what we’ve got is good or bad? Well, if toughness is no
clue as to whether we are at the top or the bottom, maybe we are
better than we think. Let we Nigerians have more faith today.
This generation is praying for
a President who knows how to get results through others, instil
enthusiasm, build team spirit and be a team player. A president who is
blessed with the ability to develop action plans and to handle
mistakes and below average results. Nigeria needs a president who
knows how to give and receive feedback, how to overcome
procrastination and how to rid his team and Nigeria of time wasters,
dream killers and enemies of progress. A president with excellent
questioning and listening skills. Someone who knows how to use
assertiveness skills, and appreciates the importance of credibility,
and professional image. We must pray to God for a leader who
understands what it’s like to be helpless, poor and homeless. A
president who knows how set priorities and handle interruptions; and
how to influence where he has no authority.
Nigerians must ask God for a
leader who will cease the existence of tribalism, nepotism and ungodly
crimes against the poor and needy. We need a President who knows how
to say “NO” constructively and how to negotiate a compromise.
President Obasanjo must handover to a God fearing leader who will
appreciate the contributions of every single past leader of Nigeria,
(either alive or has passed through transition), no matter how small
the contribution was. President Obasanjo must handover to a leader who
will put an end to voodoo politics, crime against children and elderly
persons; Someone, who knows how to manage his inner dialogue and how
to handle conflict without the use of coercive diplomacy all the time.
May the Most High bless our beloved nation.
