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Guide for Leaders www.fi jitimes.com NATIONALOPINION Guide for leaders Abdul Kalam. Picture: LIVE LAW By PRASHNEEL GOUNDAR FTEN we fi nd ourselves go- ing past biographies, mem- Ooirs or non-fi ction books when in a bookshop. Readers normally prefer to read novels, comics, stories or poetry. However, reading about some- one’s life experience entails a dif- ferent lesson each time one reads it. Interestingly two books that I came across, one by Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (Vice-President of Fiji from 2004-2006) A Personal Percep- tive (2008), another by Dr. A.P.J. Ab- dul Kalam (11th President of India from 2002-2007), Wings of Fire (1999) are full of teachings for a specifi c but it does need profound groom- lems God gives us the opportu- group of people we call our leaders. ing from the very beginning. nity to grow. So when your hopes Even though both these states- A.P.J. Kalam believed in empow- and dreams and goals are dashed, men are no longer with us, their ering the youths, this ought to be search among the wreckage, you writings should be considered an the goal of all leaders. Here he pro- may fi nd a golden opportunity hid- essential guide for leaders. vides a signifi cant example when den in the ruins” (Kalam, & Tiwari, The present generation of lead- he was working on the SLV project. 1999, p.140). ers has yet to embrace the way to “At the review meetings, Kalam lead not only a magnanimous num- insisted that the youngest scien- Final remarks ber of people but also individuals. tists present their team’s work. In summing up this article, The growth of individuals lie in “That would help them in visual- there are two quotes here — one the hands of a great captain and ising the whole system. Gradually, from each of the books that will these two books will equip one to an atmosphere of confi dence grew. consolidate why one needs to read be the greatest captain. Young scientists started ques- both the books. The fi rst one from tioning senior colleagues on solid Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi (2008, p.85), ‘A Personal Perspective’ Ratu Joni Madraiwiwi. technical issues. Nothing daunted “our country needs visionary and Ratu Joni defi nes leadership as Picture: RADIO NZ them, because they feared nothing. far-sighted leaders. “the capacity to persuade people “They soon became persons of “The vision must be one that is to follow in any circumstance. It power. A person with belief never inclusive and open to everyone. is broad enough to encompass any grovels before anyone, whining and Everyone, irrespective of ethnic- many of us have overly sensitive tobiographical account, Dr Kalam whimpering that it’s all too much. ity, has a contribution to make, type of leadership, including that natures. answers the fundamental question acquired by ascription and that Instead, such a person tackles no matter how humble. It is not a “We are all guilty of shooting on what makes a productive leader. problems head on and then affi rms, matter of who can give the most, achieved on merit.” the messenger when the dispatch “In my opinion, a productive Further, “there is a continuing As a child of God, I am greater than but rather the spirit in which one conveyed is unpalatable. A quality leader must be very competent in anything that can happen to me.” participates in nation building” debate about whether leadership of maturity is the ability to distin- staffi ng. He should continually in- is an inherited quality or whether (Kalam, & Tiwari, 1999, p.136). (Madraiwiwi, 2008, p.85). guish between the two” (Madrai- troduce new blood into the organ- Leadership does not imply a bed Lastly, another ingenious quote it is learned. He believed it is the wiwi, 2008, p.82). isation.” (Dr Kalam, and Tiwari, latter because all human behav- of roses as one discover from Wings from Dr Kalam “take this from me, In answering the question of who 1999, p.124). of Fire. When Dr Kalam began to the more decisions you can make iour, other than that related to bio- is responsible for bringing about The “Missile Man” of India ex- logical functions, is learned” (2008, achieve success, his colleagues’ avoiding external pressures, which justice and peace in the develop- plains the kind of people he would jealousy became evident. will constantly try to manipulate P.76). The former vice-president’s ment of a society, Ratu Joni claims, like as leaders. “Rules and policies defi nition echoes the character of “Some of my close associates and immobilise you, the better “creating just and peaceful societ- are to be followed with religious turned envious. Why do some your life will be, the better your a true leader. ies in the Pacifi c is our collective fervour. At the opposite end are He goes on to categorically sup- people fail to see the great values society will become. The entire na- responsibility. It requires the co- those who move with freedom and of life because of sadly twisted tion will benefi t by having strong, port the notion of equality. operation of the government, the fl exibility. They delegate easily “What is critical to the sustain- thought processes? Happiness, inner-directed people as their lead- private sector, the church, the and and give their subordinates wide satisfaction, and success in life de- ers” (Kalam, & Tiwari, 1999, p.175). ability of good governance is a cul- civil society. Justice and peace are latitude for movement. ture that enhances and reinforces pend on making the right choices, meaningless without each other.” Dr Kalam wanted men who had the winning choices. Reference it. Leadership by example is a good (Madraiwiwi, 2008, p.68). the capability to grow with pos- “There are forces in life working Kalam, A. P. J. A., & Tiwari, A. place to start. Rules and proce- He fi nally puts forward an im- sibilities, with the patience to ex- for you and against you. One must (1999). Wings of fi re: An autobiogra- dures have to be applied fairly and perative directive for all leaders, plore all possible alternatives, with distinguish the benefi cial forces phy. Universities press. consistently. Honest and objective “those of us in positions of author- the wisdom to apply old principles from the malevolent ones and Ratu Madraiwiwi, J. (2008). A dialogue should be encouraged at ity need to lead by example. How to new situations; people with skill choose correctly between them” personal perspective: The speeches all times. we conduct ourselves is critical, to negotiate their way forward. (Kalam, & Tiwari, 1999, p.106). of Joni Madraiwiwi. IPS Publica- “Those who break the rules must because others take their cue from “I wanted them to be accom- In providing motivation and tions, University of the South Pa- be punished,”. (Ratu JOni Madrai- our behaviour. When we are seen to modating, to be willing to share wiwi, 2008, P.64-65). strength during tough times, the cifi c. be lax, it encourages others to be their power with others and work former President of India assures, The late prominent lawyer did likewise. in team, delegating good jobs, as- not shy away from instructing “the trouble is that we often merely Prashneel R. Goundar is an Leadership comes with respon- similating fresh opinions, and lis- analyse life instead of dealing with leaders to accept criticism and sibility. It is not a blank cheque tening to wise counsel. academic and writer based in lend a listening ear in carrying out it. People dissect their failures for Lautoka, Fiji. His works have been for allowing us to do as we please.” “They would have to be able to causes and effects, but seldom deal their duties. (Madraiwiwi, 2008, p.79) sort out things amicably, and take published in London, Fiji, Austra- “The capacity to accept criti- with them and gain experience to responsibility for slip-ups.” (Ka- master them and thereby avoid lia, Tunisia, Croatia and India. The cism in good stead is one that re- Teachings of ‘Wings of Fire’ lam, & Tiwari, 1999, p.122). Kalam’s views expressed are the author’s quires further and greater effort, their recurrence. Similar to Ratu Joni, in his au- specifi cations are not rare to fi nd Through diffi culties and prob- and not of this newspaper. THE FIJI TIMES — MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2018 11.
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