Synthesised GP Blog

Leaders, not Saints

Commentary

I refer to the article published on The Straits Times entitled, "Let leaders come off the pedestal" 15 September 2004. Singapore's society can relate very much to the Western societies where old leaders are retired and replaced by young people. In fact, the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) system is a direct representation of our inclination towards the West. It is a system to generate new leaders for our nation.

Our country's corruption-free government shows how the practice of minimal compromises to mistakes aid in producing a successful government. The rank of 4th in the world for the cleanest is not achieved without some being harsh to our leaders in terms of being role models for all. For example, the immediate replacement of the National Kidney Foundation’s chief, TT Durai, as well as all top-ranking officials of the organisation when corruption was detected gives little room to afford such atrocities. Without a doubt, the withdrawal of the NMP Cynthia Han was all but expectable. Our system runs such that wrongdoers are never permitted to obtain authority so as to assure its integrity.

Looking at other parts of Asia such as South Korea, some form of pedestal is given to leaders or important figures. When the scientific scandal of Mr. Hwang unfolded slowly, the population is still very much supporting their national idol and refusing to accept that he had indeed made some mistakes. It was not until when international community demanded and probe which revealed the debacle that the people began to lose hope and accepted his failure. If not for the evidences that were produced, the allegations would have had no effect on his popularity. This faith in leaders, as the author suggests, really does tempt leaders to abuse their authority.

Singapore, like the United States, does apply pedestals on authority figures too but only on those who have shown humongous successes. One good example is our Senior Minister Lee who gains respect nationwide for his successes in building up our country. Even after his retirement, his remaining in the parliament to serve as an advisor was supported and not at all debated. His failures were not entirely absent, for example in the failure of the Su Zhou industrial park which apparently was an unwise investment. Yet, he was always well-respected.

I agree wholeheartedly Harvard professor Ronald Heifetz proposal of leadership as an activity instead of a rank. We have to face it, the world is not perfect and so are people. If we continue to confer impossible expectations to leaders who can exercise leadership, we will find ourselves to be losing more and more people with excellent leadership. The basic trait a leader must have is to take risks and accept challenges posted to them as stated by the professor. Our expectations forbid or discourage our leaders to do so. They are crudely put, handicapped.

By treating leadership as an activity, it gives leaders no room for serious mistakes still but offers them a second chance. They can continue their services as a leader with less glamour but still, contributing. The understanding of informal authority will encourage all citizens to give constructive feedback to the government and it could solve the problem of us being mere followers.

We have lived long enough with the stereotype of "listeners" branded on us. This paradigm change will certainly be a good break from pedestals for the leaders and give people or failed politicians more voice in the workings of the government. Our society will then walk towards success with more leadership contributons.

Vocabulary in context:

pedestal (n) - A position of high regard or adoration

scepticism (n) - A doubting or questioning attitude or state of mind; dubiety

acquiescence (n) - Passive assent or agreement without protest

resilient (adj) - Marked by the ability to recover readily, as from misfortune

advocate (v) - To speak, plead, or argue in favor of

posted by synthesis @ 7:45 PM