Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Positioned Leader Versus True Leader

Just before the Permatang Pauh by-election on the 26 August 2008, Malaysians witnessed two main opposing coalitions resorted to slinging mud and throwing rocks at each other. Each side bragged on their chances of winning the by-election. They deemed to have worked for a common cause. That's quite understandable. The by-election result literally do not change the distribution of seats. The ruling coalition still controls the majority.

I expected some signs of the dusts resulting from mud-slinging and stone-throwing to start settling down.

While much have been said and written on this issue, this observation will not add to the already lengthy list of political analyses. I choose to differ by looking at the issue from the leadership perspetive.

Yes, the dust has settled down, but in Pakatan Rakyat. They are already focusing on the next course of actions. The opposite is true in the ruling coalition. The dust has not settled down since the first election tsunami. In fact the dust is thickening after 26 August as they found a new ground for mud-slinging and stone-throwing. Now, within the coalition. Whether the dust will settled down soon is left much to be desired.

The above scenario provides us the relationships between positioned leader and true leader. It suggests the relationships between acquiring a position and the ability to control. There appears to be no guarantee that one will be able to lead and control even if he is positioned. Popularity positioned a leader, but true leadership steers and controls the entire team and its performance. True leadership is about influencing people/ followers. It is built around trust bound by personal attributes, competency and connection. Absence of true leadership can be chaotic and the result, fatal.

The current scenario is indeed annoying for everyone is hopeful for the dusts to settle down. But it takes a real leader ( and his power of buying-in) to settle the dusts (read resolve the problems)and clear the clouds (read set the vision).

When the dusts has settled and the clouds cleared only then could we see people lining up behind the leader.He is the real leader. And, everyone of us is waiting eagerly to see who he is...

1 comment:

asian-fellow said...

Of course, NO one is deemed or regarded, to be perfect or having all the required elements, qualities and characteristics, on this earth.

Malaysians have started expressing dissatisfaction and criticizing on the BN Government, whether it's at State or Federal levels, after 50 years or slightly earlier, of its ruling tenure.

But, it's very sad to have noticed Malaysians have commenced the same dissatisfaction on the PR government, after 6 months of its ruling opportunity???

Free parking issue, road signs, business or 1st class travel, regular overseas trips, poor promotion or management for the Asean Culture EXPO, offensively impolite by PR members/ leaders, mis-planning or management of funds etc are lack of satisfaction/ fulfillment for the time being (refer to the circumstances in Penang).

The PR government is being seen useless in ruling the state of Penang???

I believe many would agree they should buck up immediately, otherwise, we should change them in the next General Election.

A good opposition does NOT mean a good ruling party, if the opportunity is granted!!!