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Obasanjo: Greatest Leaders Are Transformational By D. Akinsanya Juliuson 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. Right 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, our heroes and heroines and make us all fruitful in the land.
D. Akinsanya Juliuson |