?Nothing lasts forever. It is the essence of nature. Beautiful roses wilt, plants die, rivers dry up and eventually we all transit this world as we must leave the positions we hold in the cricket team, at the office and even in the organisation we may have founded and or built. The only constant is change, whether we like it or want it and therefore one would think that if there is one skill that we all must possess, it is that of leaving. The paradox, when considered in the context of leadership, is that leaders, usually from the worlds other than the first, are generally the ones who have the greatest difficulty in practising this art. Two notable exceptions are President Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi-ji. President Mandela is an icon, not only in South Africa but worldwide. His stature was not diminished by his voluntarily giving way for new leadership to emerge. Rather it was further enhanced. Here was a man who was and still is worshipped by his people. He clearly understood that any leader worthy of that title would be judged by his commitment, not to himself but to the cause upon which his leadership was built and which he has come to symbolise.
The realisation of the aspirations of people span several generations and hence one sure way to frustrate or deny them is to selfishly insist that no one else can take on the mantle of leadership. The country to the north of South Africa is an example of the tragic consequences that follow and we have a front row seat to the unfolding of similar events to our east. In the struggle for lifting off and casting out the oppressive colonial yoke stifling the aspirations of the Indian population, there was no one who could really pose a leadership challenge to Mahatma Gandhi-ji. Yet he refused to hold political office. He supported the new and younger leadership. A clearer example of commitment to the ideals of swaraj does not exist. Leadership, as Gandhi-ji so amply demonstrated, is exemplified by self-sacrifice for the good of the country. As a result he commanded more respect that all the political leaders and is revered as a saint and one of the greatest men, if not the greatest man, of the last century.
Many leaders invoke the sayings, examples and images of President Mandela and the Mahatma-ji. Very few, however, emulate their example. The dualistic nature of the world is what constitutes the forces that drive change. So even the most devoted and loyal followers, after a while, would agitate for leadership change. This is not a sign that they no longer respect or love their leader; similar to the situation of children seeking independence from their parents not being an indication of any diminishing of the intensity of their filial relationship. Failure to facilitate or allow this natural growth process inevitably results in a lashing out at the leader. Love turns into hate, confidence into distrust and welcome into abuse. Good leadership is knowing when to leave. Public service is a noble and necessary calling. It requires great personal sacrifice and those who have really contributed to society, in a leadership capacity, ought to be cherished and treated with dignity and respect.
They have a critical role to play in forming the next generation of leaders. This is their most important, critical and highest role in any nation. Say what you may about the Americans, there are two outstanding features of their national life. They respect their former leaders and they limit the term of the highest political office. The founding fathers had more than a deep insight into human nature. As yet we have no civilisation of which to boast. We are still a young nation. It is thus absolutely important that we set these civilised traditions of respect in place. Respect is a two-way street.
Prakash Persad is the director of Swaha Inc
