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BambaLaye
USA
100 Posts |
 Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 19:15:42
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Gambia Deserves an Alpha
Barely eight weeks from now, we shall once again make a decision on who will lead the nation for another five years. One is inclined to conclude the choice for leadership is as clear as the difference between day and night given the events and experiences of the last decade or more.
September elections abound, puffery abundant as I scribe; what we need now is to reflect on what we expect in a leader and who among the contenders will deliver. I am talking about those qualities not only subconsciously absorbed but taken for granted in the milieu of the act of disintegration of the only hope for salvation. I am trying to avoid delving into the circumstances and resultant effects of “sharing unbaked cakes”, “biggest mistakes made” or the democracy of numbers etc.; reflect on this for a minute:
In primary school arithmetic we were taught that when you add one and one together, the result is 2. Later on we learn that the result is two only if you are using the base of ten (decimals). In binary or base two, the answer is 11. Comparably, in biology class we learned of a special type of relationship between two organisms that is called synergism. Synergism happens when the total effect of two organisms acting together is greater than the total effect of the two organisms acting independently. Now, one plus one is greater than two. The real answer may be three, four or more. So it is with expectations and qualities of leadership.
Yaya Jammeh, Ousainou Darboe, Halifa Sallah and perhaps one more, have expressed their intention in becoming our leader for the next five years. The time is ripe for us to reflect on what each has for leadership qualities.
What is important is whether Yaya, Ousainou or Halifa is sensitive and responsive to the needs of the public, has the management skills for the job and understands the politics of governing. The givens for an elected leader are honesty and integrity. Our minds will tend to make poor decisions, but our hearts should act as a cushion against the effects of such decision by mitigation. A leader with a strong heart manifestation of honesty and integrity is what we deserve.
Leadership, especially that of a nation, can be fun and rewarding, however, one should not expect to become rich as a public servant. On the other hand, you should enrich the welfare and provide for justice in the lives of others. President Abraham Lincoln once said, "As for being president, I feel like the man who was tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a rail." He also said, "I have never professed an indifference to the honors of official station; and were I to do so now, I should only make myself ridiculous. Yet I have never failed-do not now fail-to remember that in the cause there is a higher aim than mere office."
I like to think at this juncture in Gambia’s history, we deserve an Alpha. We deserve a leader among leaders. Being a leader among leaders is like being a chimp among chimps. The leader of the pack is the Alpha chimp. Within a well defined and structured social order, the Alpha chimp is responsible for the pack's welfare and protection. This responsibility may cost the Alpha his life though he must always stand up to the bullies.
In 2001 elections, one of the lessons learnt is that weakness invites aggression. A leader that is prepared, organized and independent, will become less of a target. Let me throw in these three Fs: flight, freeze or fight. As a leader, you can run away, ignore the threat or defend the territory. Whatever course of action you select as the Alpha leader, your decision must have some base in wisdom so the pack backs you up to the hilt.
Margaret Thatcher had it for me when she said "Being powerful is like being a lady, if you have to tell people you are-you aren't." That's the way it is with being a skillful leader.
So the question arises: Can either Ousainou or Halifa lead and serve simultaneously? How? (Yaya is not an option for me). When a leader becomes servile he ceases to be a leader in my book. A leader can be strong in personality and character, but the good leader must understand that to be a great leader, he must always keep the welfare of the pack foremost in his heart. Who is our Alpha?
Some would wish that political life is much simpler just after they poll a majority in the upcoming election. Yeah, black is black and white is white. We all have a distinct awareness of what is right and what is wrong. I know I do, do you? Here’s what I, and I believe every Gambian should want and expect from our next leader:
I want my next leader to be accessible. Don't just say hello, listen with interest to what people say. It has to be clear to my Alpha leader that in politics, the best public opinion is a one-on-one conversation with a constituent. However, for such to be meaningful, people must be aware that the leader will not be offended by what they have to say.
I want my Alpha leader to persuade rather than coerce or intimidate me. I expect my leader to fan the sparks of curiosity; nurture the seeds of creativity; communicate the excitement of the business of nation building; promote imaginative and courageous behavior for a better society. I do not wish my leader to be dictatorial. Leaders delegate responsibility and authority by empowering people to act on their own. Both Napoleon and Hitler were absolute masters of their political systems. Each left the same lasting legacy-zero! Absolutely zero! No one picked up their political banner and carried it forward.
My Alpha must understand the job of politics is a challenge to one's honesty and integrity. Honesty and integrity are fundamental personality traits of a good leader. I do not expect my leader to be cake baker or server nor a receiver of slices of baked or unbaked cakes. I expect my leader to be vigilant of challenges to his integrity at all times. An effective leader speaks with actions as well as words.
I want my leader to lead by being led. I want an Alpha that will not hesitate to sacrifice his ego and pride. It has been said that a person is leading effectively when people scarcely realize that he leads. A good leader is one who talks little and when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, people will say, "We did this ourselves."
I want my leader be able to communicate in a clear and concise manner. I expect him to provide a clear, concise statement of where he wants the nation to head to under his leadership. He should not expect people to be able to read his mind.
I do not want a leader that straddles the fence at all times. When you straddle a fence, you end up in excruciating pain when your footing slips. I expect my leader to always bear the element of consistency. I expect to know where he stands on issues. I may not agree, but I will know where he stands.
My Alpha has to be decisive at all times. Often a leader is forced to make important decisions quickly; to operate under the gun, but still make wise and accurate decisions based on facts.
I remember many encounters with chameleons at our farms when I was a kid. I used to admire the way the chameleon could blend in so that you didn't even notice it was there. However, as I grow up, I understand that a leader cannot be a chameleon. Leadership is dependent upon action. A leader must be decisive.
I want my next leader to accept and have the courage to lead. If you want accept to and want to be the leader of a nation, then you must in no way complain about the inabilities, lack of trust in or of helpers, the ingratitude of humankind, nor the lack of appreciation of the public. My version of the serenity prayer goes like this, "God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can and the wisdom to know it's me!"
For the rest of the pack, I leave you with these words of advice: "If you don't want to run with the Alpha, then stay on the porch and beware of straddling!"
Gambia deserves an Alpha; Gambia deserves Halifa Sallah and NADD’s leadership.
July 23, 2006
Abdoulie Jallow (BambaLaye)
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Edited by - BambaLaye on 24 Jul 2006 19:23:22 |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 21:11:21
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Mr
This is powerful stuff. Man you did not use your school luch on attaya |
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jambo
3300 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 21:13:54
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| bambalaye, where have you been all this time, nice quote about margaret thatcher. |
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dbaldeh
USA
934 Posts |
Posted - 24 Jul 2006 : 22:55:05
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Well said Bambalaye. We deserve best of the best. One who will not hesitate to give up power due to disastisfaction of the electorates. One who will have the potential to live a lavish life, but decides to live to the service of the people. One who is not afraid to speak when all are silence, and ready to go to jail believing in what one stands for is righteousness. A leader that have a vision for humanity that can relate to all. This is our one chance to make it right in our history.
Peace!!! |
Baldeh,
"Be the change you want to see in the world" Ghandi
Visit http://www.gainako.com for your daily news and politics |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2006 : 12:36:11
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| Hm. You are looking for an archangel, aren't you? Your criteria are well defined (but what the hell does Thatcher have to do with that?), but as a German the call for an 'Alpha' always makes me shiver. Usually it means the call for the perfect 'father' by adult people who want to give up their own responsibilities. Humans are no dogs or wolves. |
Edited by - serenata on 25 Jul 2006 12:37:33 |
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OB1
84 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2006 : 15:34:50
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Brilliant food for thought. I hope that everyone, starting from the leadership of NADD, UDP/NRP and maybe even APRC supporters and the rest, see the wisdom in this and do the right thing. Sadly the right thing is not always the easiest thing.
Keep it up.
BN |
BN |
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BambaLaye
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 25 Jul 2006 : 16:16:53
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All:
Thanks for the comments. I'm hoping my commentary will generate a discourse in a better direction. We've all wasted so much time discussing tribalism, nepotism, sycophancy, etc. but we seem to forget about the fundamental point that those issues can all be mitigated if we endeavor to put the right person with the right leadership qualities at the helm.
I have shared with you what/who I want for a leader with specific criteria albeit not all encompassing. I have told you who I think that would be - Halifa Sallah. What would you like in your next leader? Who do you think that person should be?
Thank you. |
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Edited by - BambaLaye on 25 Jul 2006 16:18:05 |
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kayjatta
2978 Posts |
Posted - 26 Jul 2006 : 22:48:50
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GOOD JOB BAMBALAYE.THE QUALITIES YOU DEMAND IN OUR LEADRESHIP ARE EXCELLENT , BUT KIND OF CONTRADICT THE NOTION OF AN "ALPHA". I KIND OF SHARE SERENATA'S FEELING THAT AN "ALPHA" IS NOT THE RIGHT LEADER TO CALL FOR IN THE GAMBIA. TO ME AN "ALPHA" SYMBOLIZES ABSOLUTE POWER , A LEADER THAT BECOMES TOO POWERFUL FOR THE PEOPLE WHO PUT HIM IN PLACE , A LEADER THAT REDUCES HIS CONSTITUENTS TO MERE SYCOPHANTS.
WE NEED A LEADER THAT IS AN ORDINARY HUMAN BEING , OUR PARTNER THAT IS NO POWERFUL THAN THE ELECTORATE , THE LEGISLATURE , THE JUDICIARY, AND THE PRESS. WE NEED A LEADER THAT UNDER OUR LAWS HAS NO RIGHT TO PRIVACY. |
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BambaLaye
USA
100 Posts |
Posted - 27 Jul 2006 : 16:19:47
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KAYJATTA:
Metaphors are a bummer sometimes, not so? Well, I was hoping by specifically defining the "Alpha" (notice I used uppercase 'A')in my commentary, I could get my audience to understand. Apparently not in the case both you ans SERENATA. I do not want an "alpha and omega" for a leader obviously. Sometimes I think we should have kings and queens that way some things can get rotten on their heads (that's a joke).
Next time I will try quotation marks.
Thanks for the comments. |
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Edited by - BambaLaye on 27 Jul 2006 16:20:50 |
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