The world is a complex place which is why decision-making on global issues is, at best, a difficult task. Trinidad and Tobago epitomises complexity and hence governing it is easier said than done. Leadership and governance in this day and age is no stroll in the park. Well, actually, if one insists that it is so then it is in a park full of muggers, robbers, tricksters, conmen, traitors, opportunists, liars and clobbers. You have to continuously be on your guard and carefully scrutinise and analyse information presented to you and examine the horns of those who have scrambled aboard the wagon; that is if you do not want to be set up or tripped up.
The danger with too much scrutiny and examination is, of course, that it may result in the famous "paralysis and analysis" syndrome. So successful decision-making requires some simplification of the complexity; striking the right balance. Analysts would tell you that the most prolific batsmen are those who employ a simple approach to batting. Get behind the line of the ball and treat each ball on its merit. Put another way, they employ the same process to deal with a wide variety of situations. The standard terminology for this is "going back to basics."
Right intent lies at the heart of good governance. In this age of sophisticated spin doctorism, the definition of "right intent" might be subjected to enormous forces of deformation and distortion. It is simply genuine unselfish love and compassion for fellow humans. Many might be tempted to quip that such naivety has no place in the real world where criminals seem to have more rights than victims, where those who openly flout the rules go unscathed and where, after elections, the masses seem to have a lot less say than special interest lobbies: more the reason to go back to the basics of right intent; that of service to mankind.
Evidence would indicate that the vast majority of leaders start their careers with good intentions. It would appear that this is quickly subverted, when they arrive on the corridors of power, by the suffocating pressure exerted by the powerful lobbies representing the self-interests of powerful groupings and associations; many a time to the detriment of the average citizen. Leaders must never lose sight of the rationale for their being in that position and keep their feet planted on the ground from whence they have come and which provided the basis for their success. The first sign of impending downfall is that of not listening to the voice of the people.
Leaders are the pride of and embody the hopes, dreams and aspirations of their followers. They are not separate from or different to but rather the visible symbol of their people. Leaders do not exist without followers. They make you and can also reverse the process. In this world of political correctness and poll ratings, the tendency to waffle, to flip-flop, to unnecessarily backtrack and to be guided by ratings rather than right intent and firm conviction in core values is all too prevalent. It might be unusual if leaders hold their ground and explain, to the population, their position if they firmly believe that it is right and noble. But it would be refreshingly wholesome if they did so. Governing is difficult, more so if one is inexperienced or the circumstances are seemingly intractable, Mistakes and trip-ups are neither unexpected nor unusual and therefore should be cause for greater dedication, commitment and communication. Experience would inevitably be gained.
The same cannot be said for right intent as the tendency is to adjust policy and behaviour for short-term gains. The outcome of this is never good. Many issues facing T&T are probably beyond our control as they are driven by the winds of global change and forces. Expect the ship of state to be battered and tossed around. Under such circumstances it would be reassuring to committed hands on deck if they can count on the captain and navigators are grounded in values of right intent and committed to the principles of concern for the welfare of the passengers and unshakeable belief in the nobleness of service to mankind.
Prakash Persad is the
director of Swaha Inc