LEADING WHEN YOU ARE A POLITICIAN
Two elderly women were trespassing the cemetery as it was the only path to where they were headed. While they were walking, they both saw a grave with printed words that read ‘John Sabika’: An honest man, and a great politician’. One of the elderly woman gasped and held her heart and with wonder she mattered, Ooh my gosh! How could they bury two people in the same tombstone!
I think we can all agree that politicians to some extent are viewed as not very honest, or should I say; manipulative, liars, frauds, deceivers, selfish… the list goes on and on.
But I have met some of these politicians, and some of them are very close to me. I have had the front row seat of witnessing how politics really looks like and how one can say something and end up doing something completely different. I have seen how difficult it is for politicians to stand their ground. I have learned how betrayal, pain, and deception hurts the nation and the leaders at large. As a citizen of the Republic of Tanzania I have also seen how politicians use voters for their own selfish gains, on the other hand I have seen those that are selfless and are willing to do all they can to make a difference in their point of influence. I have seen how easy it is for voters to be swayed from side to side because of the unrealistic promises that they choose to believe. Politics really is a dirty game. Politicians, beware!
It is very rare therefore , to see a true leader in a politician.
Lets take a quick tour to leadership land; Leadership is vision, leadership is communication, it is influence not manipulation, it is the genuine love and care for your people. Leadership is working with people to achieve a goal that everyone wants, not using people to get what you want. Leadership is working patiently to ensure that people buy into the vision, leadership is carefully hearing out what your people need. Leadership is not your magnificent car and chair at the parliament, it is not that honorable tittle that comes before your name. Wait… should we have a class about this?
I write this with great sadness. Deep down I know we have voted for a majority of politicians who don’t know what it really means to lead, we’ve placed people in power who have never learned what it is to serve. They don’t even understand that leaders are readers, they never learn, they don’t grow. They are not challenging the direction of the nation. Worse enough, they cannot lead themselves!
Today, this is my advice to the politicians in my country. I speak as a citizen with passion about leadership. May my voice make a difference today
- You need to fully know who you are, what you stand for and why you are doing what you are doing. Know who you are, search for yourself, reach out to your soul, get to know what you are made of. What are the most important things to you? what are your values? what do you want to be known for? When you know who you are, you are certain to know your stand. You become strong and firm enough to clearly state your dos and don’ts. This will be a constant reminder to why you are doing your job. In the world of politics there are so many noises everywhere, you will hear people speaking terrible things about you, I bet you probably have! You will deal with things that are irrational, you will get into arguments, probably fights. You will somehow find yourself involved in scandals, the media will just want some dirt on you. And seriously if you don’t know who you are, why you are doing what you do and what you stand for, you will be swayed with everything that is going on, and you will never be capable of displaying authentic leadership.
- If you are not careful, your people can create a monster out of you. I think by now you are fully aware that politics is dealing with people’s emotions. Your people are emotional creatures, just like you! The danger comes when you let the praises and the glory from your people define you. When these things come in low supply, you will thirst for more. And that is dangerous because you will find yourself preaching about promises you will never keep. You will find yourself giving money to people that really doesn't bring the lasting change. You will find yourself using corruption to aid your projects the way you want them to go. You can avoid this, just clearly define what you are aiming at achieving and focus on that. Remember as a leader, you steer the course.
- Always deliver! If you have promised to do something, DO IT! Through thick and thin. It doesn’t matter if you cry, sweat, or even bleed; you have got to deliver! bring that trophy home. This is not about you anymore. Lets get real, I know you are politician, you are gifted with words, you know how to get your way and still make people feel okay about it. But that’s not leadership. A leader always challenges his excuses. If you really want to be a leader, you have got to have the integrity that other million politicians in the world do not have. Here is a tip, before you promise to do something, make sure you’ve done the research and are certain that it can be done!
With power comes great responsibility. To fully and effectively tackle into this responsibility dedicate yourself to becoming the best political leader ever. Not just a politician, a political leader! This is a result that comes intentionally. Be willing to learn; this involves reading, listening, asking questions, more reading, learning from your heroes, traveling, observing and more reading.
We need you to Lead the way. Don’t let us down!
Thank you for reading. And thank you for your claps in advance. Please share this article on Twitter, Facebook and even to your contacts.
This article was originally published at https://leadingwhen.wordpress.com/
Until next time,
Lynne.
