Dear Editor,
Recently on choosing a running mate and potential Vice President of the United States, Barrack Obama said impressively, “I need somebody who will challenge my thinking and not just be a `yes’ person especially on policy issues.”
Obama’s recognition of the need for considering opposed or different views is one of the more important hallmarks of an effective leader. And such an inclusive public pronouncement can only be a good sign. As President he will be told what he needs to know without fear or favour.
Far too many eager and ambitious politicians see loyalty to a leader as defined by a blind almost bestial devotion to all his or her ideas, intentions, statements and actions, however ill conceived, ill timed or potentially destructive they might be. In fact it often is the greatest disservice they could pay a leader as it discourages self analysis, critical review or the leader’s ability to think outside the box. This sheep instinct and its corresponding type of supine behaviour is often practised in political parties and the corporate world. It almost always guarantees a settled mediocrity especially at the level of the party or company’s overall performance.
Long, long ago around 450 ad Attila the Hun got it right when he said, “A king with chieftains who always agree with him reaps the counsel of mediocrity.”
If Barrack Obama is sincere in his encouragement of the dissenting view, and I have no reason to believe he is not, then the USA may be about to elect one of its greatest leaders and usher in an age of enlightenment. Of course there are no guarantees in politics as there are none in life. Sometimes with the intoxication of political office many a well-meaning leader has metamorphosed into a self-indulgent, opinionated autocrat. Often it begins with his being encircled by flatterers, sycophants and ciphers. Leadership thinking then takes on the form of studied inertia which gradually begins to show signs of cognitive deprivation.
Of course Obama is operating in a mature political environment which has taken the notions of stakeholder participation, active civic tradition and consensus building well beyond the narrow confines of a constitutional requirement.
And there is the larger question of values. Political authoritarianism, purposeful neglect of public opinion and the abhorrence of meaningful consultation have no place in American culture and political traditions. Sadly in some countries there still exists a political ‘T rex’ tradition and mentality which invokes a mystic reverence for the sovereignty of the leader, warts and all. Such societies are bound to stultify and be forced to endure endless cycles of political obscurantism.
The term ‘Machiavellian’ has a decidedly negative connotation, but some of what Machiavelli advised about the prudent use of power falls within the realm of good political and common sense. His treatise on Renais-sance statecraft counsels: “…there is no other way to guard yourself against flattery than by making men understand that telling you the truth will not offend you… He [a wise leader] should conduct himself is such a manner that all will realize that the more freely they speak the more they will be acceptable to him…”
I think that instinctively Barrack Obama understands this. He is off to a good start.
Yours faithfully,
F. Hamley Case
To illustrate how this leadership characteristic works just study President Bush and the coterie of yes men surrounding him (Cheney, secty of Defense Rumveldt, etc) – and they went headlong into the invasion of Iraq.
Obama will not surround himself with sycophants – but will engage in vigorous debate – and will absorb all sides of an issue before making a decision. This is indeed a mark of leadership.
Now Machiavelli is another matter. I think Hamley is quoting this Renaissance Prince out of context. I have to study this one
Mr. Case I like your comments , but won’t you say that the respect Mr Obama has shown for the PUMA (Party Unity My Ass) group is remarkable and wonderful ?
Also I’m sure you will agree that sort of respect is truly democratic!
…..having read this “glowing tribute” and the overabundance of prolific praise for the shrewd ability of obama ,, i am wondering if the author was ever able to impart this kind of advice to burnham ,, while he was on the path of destruction to a whole people and,,, country,,, or is this a way of trying to equate baracks empty rhetorical oration to that of de kabaka ???????????????????????????
He is trying to reinvent himself, a little too late for that.
Burnham is dead. He almost destroyed Guyana. Let it go. We have the PPP in Government. They condemned the PNC government, so they must set a better example if they are to be different. We have good people in Guyana, but like so many politicians, power goes to their heads. In a small country like Guyana it’s not hard to do. The Ministers in the Government and the people must remember that once the elections are over, the Government represents the entire country not just the people who voted for them, as the money they spends belong to everyone. This government has done a reasonable job for the economy, but a poor job with security. They still have some time let us see what they will do until the next election.
He is sending a message to the likes of you, bgsbny! It is clear that your views are unilateral and you need to be advised on what to say and when. Burnham is history. How about commenting on the present leadership in Guyana.
It is never too late to reinvent oneself, gtbeat. You can too.
Nevertheless, I am curious of Mr. Cases’ intent, and this soundbite of Obama, ” “I need somebody who will challenge my thinking and not just be a `yes’ person especially on policy issues.” Is he sending a message to Jagdeo or Corbin, or both!
One other thing that Mr Obama said is:- I will not talk with our friends only,
I will also seek peace with our enemys.
That is why the PPP can’t stand Mr Moses Nagamotto, he is not a
yes Sir, yes Comrade type of person.
bgsbny,
Can’t you let go of the past history of Guyana?
We are trying to engage in a productive and stimulating discussion of leadership qualities – and you are not contributing anything when you bring up burnham, dekabaca etc.
Obama does exhibit the mark of great leadership. Example: Hillary said let’s have a gas tax holiday. Obama said no, that would not solve the fundamental probems of dependency on foreign oil. Wouldn’t it have been easy for Obama to say yes and go along. McCain says “drill now, drill here”, Obama held his ground and opposes drilling. I call that the “mark of leadership.”
Assume for a moment oil prices go up to $8.00 a barrel as it is in Europe.
McCain says “drill now, drill here, drill there, drill everywhere” How is this a solution to the problem?
The real and true solution is to change our life style in America. Smaller cars. Take the train. Use bicycles. Do Solar. Do wind turbines. Conservation. Cut oil imports by 50%. It takes a tough, bold leader to opt for hard road but true and real solutions to difficult problems. Obama has the mettle.
Hallelujah! F. Hamley Case has seen the error of his past, being an advisor (yes man) to Forbes and wants the world to know it’s okay to have dissenting views, shame he didn’t share this with Forbes.
I am however a forgiving person, so Hamley, as an act of contrition say 3 Hail Marys and 2 Our Fathers.
Wait a minute Hamley Case actually worked for Burnham? Where are you living now Sir?
Well, Well, you got very enlightened now. Now you are open to truth and decency.
Let’s work for truth, peace and decency
…… welcome to the other side of the moon where those who r still alive,, “living large ” and breathing ” life is good “,, after they have destroyed a whole country ,,
still continue to coerce ,, others to continue the path of destruction thru destabilisation ,, now that u have been enlightened ,, i hope u can see how difficult it is for ,,, not only me ,, but for many thousands of us who endured ,, what
the pnc , and the “regal court of jesters” unleashed on us !,, to forget ……
much as i’d like to forget ,, it seems futile ,, not only for me ,, ut for a nation that is silently praying for the “reform” touted by the pnc ! good luck !,,,,,,
YES!… he’s sending the message to both all two!….
Guyana’s politics does not produce real leaders, in the scientific sense, because the assent to that leadership position is faithfully flawed, where any process for true acclamation is confused and hidden behind closed doors and rules.