St. Lucian media, rum shops, schools, homes, and communities are replete with discussions on political leadership. It is apparent that we are on the verge of changing the political leadership of this country - clearly a significant historical moment after what many people have referred to as 30 years of dictatorial rule. The discussion on new leadership is urgent, as many St. Lucians are rightfully quite apprehensive about the kind of leadership they will be subjected to over the next political epoch.While all breathing St. Lucians have some notion of what they want in a leader, I am befuddled by some of the discussion on what some people consider the mark of a potentially good political leader. For the most part, there are two fundamental problems: one problem is that the suppositions are often blinded by partisanship, and in the other case, the criteria used are often too narrow.
Before suggesting a framework for assessing political leadership in St. Lucia, context for the assessment is absolutely necessary. Good leadership is never without context. There are good crisis leaders who would fail in a period of "calm". There are excellent leaders for issues involving strong social phenomena, while these same leaders may fail in attempting to lead in an environment where economic phenomena dictates the agenda - albeit, that economic and social phenomena are inextricably linked in the context of managing a country. What is clear, is that leadership is a multi-dimensional and multi-contextual concept.
We must ask the question, therefore, what is the current context in which our potential leadership must be assessed? A partial exposition would include: a floundering agricultural sector, a risk-prone tourism sector, a population with nearly 50% of it under the age of 20, little natural resources, high unemployment, a sluggish elitist educational system replete with out-dated Eurocentric curricula, a foreign-dominated banking sector whose agenda is solely profit and not the development of St. Lucia, a society with an appetite for foreign product, little indigenous production, a highly male-centered chauvinistic society, an apathetic population, poor quality service in the business sector, highly inefficient and uninnovative governmental bureaucracy, contemptuous government workers, a lack of transactions free from political influence, increasing foreign ownership St. Lucian property, reverence for European "expertise", increasing brain drain, intolerance for divergent views, petty name-calling politics, cultural degradation, increasing violence, increasing mental illness, and the list goes on. Which party will provide the nation with progressive leadership into the next century?
If we really believe in "government for the people and by the people", then we should be willing to accept a concept widely used in modern business practice, that of a customer-focused approach to management. Each and every St. Lucian, then, must be viewed as a customer of the government, and it is the customers’ needs that should drive the government. While this is by no means a new concept, taking it to heart has several implications for the style and quality of national leadership necessary to achieve successful governance.
I would like to present what I believe are 20 requisite skills for effective governance using a customer-focused philosophy that is cognizant of the complex range of inter-locking issues facing St. Lucia. A leader must be or possess the following attributes:
1: A visionary - "a nation without a vision is bound to perish".This is obviously a tall order, and generally, no one person or party possesses all of these qualities. Hence the reason why collective government is so important. As we can see, there is no obvious correlation between these qualities and formal education, or between these qualities and good oratory, or between them and the "school of hard knocks". These skills cannot be acquired through the formal pages of a book. They are nurtured, and ultimately defines the character ethic of the leader(ship). At this juncture, I would like to emphasize the need for St. Lucians to focus on the CHARACTER ETHIC and not the PERSONALITY ETHIC of those vying for power. We have several flamboyant politicians with strong personalities, but dispicable character ethics! Let us not be blind to the truth.2: Innovative - we need new approaches to old problems. Insanity is doing the same things the same way while expecting different results.
3: A facilitator. The role of the leader is not to dictate change, but rather mobilize resources to facilitate it. The locus and direction of change must be defined by the people. The attitude that "we know what’s best for them" is a no-no!
4: Spiritual. I am not talking religion. Spirituality allows one to transcend human indignities and weaknesses and focus on people for who they are. It also allows for humility, respect for others, the ability to forgive and forget, and the development of a sense of collective purpose for one’s mortal existence.
5: The ability to inspire trust in the people through integrity.
6: An excellent listener of what is said in all quadrants of the society.
7: A charismatic "preacher" and motivator. Must be able to sell a vision and motivate people to buy into and participate in it.
8: A willingness to challenge the status quo.
9: A willingness to consult the potential "enemy".
10: A team player - the governing body of any country body is a management team and must behave that way - not as a collection of agenda-bearing individuals.
11: A willingness to foster governance through strategic partnerships with all sectors of the society in an attempt to solve problems.
12: The ability to think globally. A country is an integrated complex system with all sectors tightly inter-linked. Myopic, ministerial thinking is doomed to fail! Hence the reason why team-based and partnership-based governance are so critical.
13: Consistent in their actions, endeavors, and principles.
14: Unafraid to seek help. The leader must believe in collective leadership. This requires excellent delegation skills.
15: A profound knowledge and understanding or access to profound knowledge and understanding of the critical issues facing the country.
16: Open to ideas and open to critique of their own ideas.
17: Willing to lead by example.
18: Willing to communicate will all sectors of the society.
19: Willing to acknowledge mistakes.
20: A strong belief in justice, fairness, and equality.
Each politician has to be evaluated on their record vis a vis the criteria listed above. I know it is hard to put aside party affiliations in making a leadership assessment, but for the sake of the country, do not tell us to vote your candidate, and then ask us to hope that they will develop these skills afterwards. If I may be allowed to twist an old cliché, "you may not be able to teach an old dog new tricks".
