All BARK & BLUSTER Disguises Weak Leadership
Conventional wisdom dictates that those dogs who keep barking are dyed in the wool strong-willed dogs because they eyes don’t seem to blink at all. But over time, that has been proven to be a half-truth. A quick lookup at our most recent history is a line-up of dictators and autocratic leaders who have fallen by the wayside. Saddam Hussein. Moammar Qhadaffi. Jean-Claude Duvalier. Ferdinand Marcos. They all have fallen off from the cliff not because of treachery but its because of their sheer undoing.
During their tenure in their respective countries, they lorded it over the landscape with unquestioned authority. In fact and in truth, the reign of Ferdinand Marcos was not a single-handed power of a leader. His partner [in crime] Imelda Marcos was the other half of the much touted conjugal dictatorship. Yet, they [miserably] failed to cling to the corridors of power where they got intoxicated over time.
Besides those incessant barks akin to the wolves and dogs, what primarily characterized their respective reign was their bluster which was so efficiently replicated by their subalterns, their blind cordon sanitaire. As Simon Sinek espoused: 'Leadership is NOT being in charge, it is about TAKING CARE of people in your charge'.
Challenge me then to cite a strong national leader! Without hesitation, I’ll showcase Malaysia’s nonagenarian Former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir. Months ago, when some treacherous partymates betrayed the values of their political party by coalescing with corrupt and discredited political parties, he immediately sought an audience with Agong, the King of Malaysia, and tendered his humble resignation. Such is the manifestation of a strong leader!
To add salt to those open wounds, to wit, 'Weak leaders isolate. Strong leaders connect'.
To cap off this breakfast entrée, I’d like to quote the late Jim Rohn, the American motivational speaker: ‘The challenge of leadership is to be strong, BUT NOT RUDE, be kind BUT NOT WEAK, be bold BUT NOT BULLY, be thoughtful BUT NOT LAZY, be humble BUT NOT TIMID, be proud BUT NOT ARROGANT, have humor, BUT WITHOUT FOLLY’.
Well said, I guess.
