A LETTER TO NIGERIANS: THE PROOF OF TRUE LEADERSHIP – MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE
Why
are some nations doing better than others even with fewer resources?
Why are some organizations on the high while others struggle? The
answer is not far-fetched; “everything rises and falls on
leadership.”
The
truth is that leaders inevitably make things better or worse for the
people who follow them. When a leader is good, everyone and
everything around him gets better. But when a leader is bad, everyone
and everything around him suffers and gets worse. Leadership makes
every experience and endeavour either bitter or better. Every
organization or nation is a reflection of the kind of leadership it
has. Their current condition is as a result of who their leader is.
I’ve always been of the opinion that to see how a leader is doing,
all you have to do is to look at condition of the people. To buttress
my point, Leadership Expert, Max Depree once said: “The
signs of outstanding leadership appear primarily among the
followers.”
The best leaders are very intentional about developing their people
and nation.
Prior
to the 1980 America Presidential election, the Presidential debate
between Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reegan was an eye-opener to the
Americans on the proof of true leadership. The turning point of the
debate was when Ronald Reegan asked the American people some hearty
questions. He said:
“Next
Tuesday is Election Day. Next Tuesday all of you will go to the polls
and stand there in the polling place and make a decision. I think
when you make that decision it might be well if you would ask
yourself, “Are you better off than you were four years ago? Is it
easier for you to go buy things in the store than it was four years
ago? Is there any more or less employment in the country than there
was four years ago?” If you answer all those questions yes, why,
then I think your choice is obvious as to who you’ll vote for. If
you don’t agree, if you don’t think that this course that we’ve
been on for the last four years is what you would like to see us
follow for the next four years, then I could suggest another choice
that you have.”
Certainly,
the Americans didn’t like their condition, so they changed their
leaders, and that was how Ronald Reegan became the 40th
President of the United States of America. So why did the Americans
choose Reegan over Carter? Here are the reasons:
The
reign of Jimmy Carter was a hobble for the Americans. His
administration struggled to respond to formidable challenges such as
violation of values as his much-vaunted reputation for honesty was
shattered by financial impropriety by one of his trusted allies.
Also, a major energy crisis as well as high inflation and
unemployment led to his undoing. These issues marred Carter’s
public relationship and popularity.
This
is food for thought. One of the things we must do as Nigerians is for
us to answer the same questions being asked to the Americans by
Ronald Reegan, and even more. Author, Dale Galloway opines, “The
growth and development of people is the highest calling of a leader.”
On
a scale of 1 is to 10, what score can you to the current leadership
of the country without being bias? How can we describe our experience
in the last four years? Has it been bitter or better? Can we beat our
chests and boast that things have been better for us in the last four
years that should make us want to continue for the next four years
with the current administration? Has the current leadership been able
to manage and resolve conflicts amicably? Have they been able to
initiate significant changes that have transformed the nation? Have
they been able to deliver on the promises they made four years ago?
The
success of any nation is dependent on the strength of its leadership,
and factually no nation can rise above this. As we transit into the
New Year with new hopes and aspirations for the betterment of
ourselves, let’s make up our minds to make the right decision as
the election period gradually comes up. Don’t forget that whatever
decision you make – be it good or bad, is what you will live with
for the next four years. Realistically, four years is a lot of time
to endure a bad decision and choice. Think right, act right. Happy
New Year. Cheers!
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