Leaders are being accused of irresponsible and that they need to behave like mature people according to some. Even leaders themselves are being called for MPs to act responsibly and maturely. Most leaders have lost the confidence of their constituents. MPs themselves often accused each other of corruptive practices.
Government often is a fragmented government with a huge gap between the national government, Provincial government and the traditional leadership. Government verse Opposition is often out of proportion as they personalise national issues and attacked each other publicly. Pointing fingers at each other as result of corruptive practices is a continuous battle.
Government’s failure to effectively combat crime and violence in the country is an issue that needs to look at.
Both Health care and educational services are not quality enough.
Women to participate more in the decision making front of this country and that leads on to the women’s representation in Parliament a process that is undemocratic. This poses a huge challenge for the government of the day for it reflects a country that has less regard for the needs of its women population.
2011 is almost gone from our midst and very soon, 2012 will be on our home front. Each year gives us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes of the past. What are the unfinished businesses in 2011 that needs to be completed in 2012? The reflection on why certain important businesses are not been completed and accomplished in 2011 is an area for our leaders to consider.
Reflection is an important aspect for the government of the day to take into account. Unless, our leaders take time to look at the successes and failures of 2011, nothing much will happen in terms of positive change in 2012. Leaders are required to take the time out and see how far they have come, the issues of challenges that confronted them in 2011, strategies to work on these challenges, their areas of success and where they have failed. Leaders will need to change their course of approach in the way they do their business in 2011 in order to avoid being attacked and criticised for the same weaknesses and failures they experienced.
If leaders can take time to reflect, there are three absolutes that they will consider in their work, Development, work and relationship. Leaders also need to reflect on their attitudes because attitude reflects one’s leadership. Leadership also reflects professionalism and perfection.
Leaders will have to focus their leadership on their people. Quality leadership is not about the leader him or she, but it is about others and how such leadership can make fundamental changes for people. Quality leadership is about maintaining the balance of power to work with people and not over people. It is about recognising the worthiness of the people such leader is governed. It is about sharing of responsibility and recognising the talents and skills of those he or she governs so that such skills can be utilised for the betterment of the people and their communities. It is about appreciating what the people can do to assist their leader in making a difference to the issues that are important for them.
Quality leadership is not about fulfilling the expectations of the community all the time. It is not about saying yes to your people whenever time they request for assistance. It is about maintaining community expectations that involve a process of dialogue. It is about you as a leader reaching a common ground in understanding the issues that are critical for your people and the process in which you will take to tackle these issues with the community. It is about competency and firmness. It is a demonstration of personality and attitude that your people can relate to. There will be a lot of dislikes between the leader and the community; however it is fundamental to always maintain RESPECT.
Political leadership alone is not good enough to lead a country and people unless there is quality leadership. This type of leadership is often lacking in maintaining moral values that often leads to quality leadership. Leaders who depend on their political power and knowledge alone will not go anywhere for there are a lot of challenges that will be encountered.
For
leaders of 2012, focus your attention on the ways in which you will serve your people
and make them happy. Work towards being a
leader that is competent and firm. A
leader that will work together with the people and be challenged by the people,
but in the end loved and respected by the people.
By Ella Kauhue
Honiara
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