Stop Voting for the “Man of The People”

I will begin with a very crucial disclaimer: That I am a Certified Executive Coach, Leadership Consultant, Speaker and Author. I founded an international leadership development firm that I currently lead. I have trained tens of thousands of leaders for more than a decade around the world. I have even written a lot about leadership including books on amazon.com. And if there is one thing that I have always emphasized is the fact that leadership is about relationships. I know that many leaders have failed in their leadership roles due to inability to handle people the right way.

That said, however, just being relational without being result-producing turns the fraternity you lead into a mere social club and not a holistic community of wholesome people whose needs are being met and whose lives are flourishing day by day. It is for this reason that I write to encourage you to stop just voting for “a man of the people” and start passionately supporting “a man of the people who diligently executes his duties well and is principled enough to fulfil his campaign promises.”

I am aware that for the longest time imaginable, politics has unfortunately been largely about who among the contestants passes The 3-Way Voter’s Test:

1. Our Son: That is, who can sway the majority into thinking that he is not only one of them but also with them as “a man of the people”.
2. Our Sponsor: That is, who has the capacity to splash the highest number of bribes all over the place during the few weeks of the campaign and leave thousands too drunk to reason soberly.
3. Our Saviour: That is, who can speak out a million pledges to entice the people even if the things he promises don’t fall within the mandate of that position.

Under such circumstances, as long as you can sway people as “a man of the people”, splash cash as a donor, and promise a lot as a saviour, the vote is yours! Amidst these challenges of most “democratic” societies:

• The much-needed voice of reason is ignored.
• The place of honesty is thrown away.
• Long-term thinking is replaced with the here-and-now mentality.
• The power of good values is relegated to the corner of the earth.
• The big picture is slaughtered at the altar of little non-essentials.

For this one time, join me in reconsidering this situation. It does not help me for you to be merely branded as “a man of the people” or “our man” when by the end of your term of office:

• Many people still experience “starvation amidst plenty”
• The economic disparity between the rich and the poor keeps widening
• The deadly corruption becomes more corrosive under your watch
• The crime rate keeps soaring as you focus on what you can devour
• All key service delivery institutions are shuttered
• We still have perpetually “unfunded priorities” every year
• The remorseless arrogance keeps rising
• Poverty keeps increasing amidst increasing per capita reports
• The societal moral fabric has collapsed the more
• Our image is tarnished amidst unfulfilled promises

Here is the bitter truth:

1. No one eats “a man of the people” but everyone appreciates empowerment opportunities to ensure food security.
2. No one swallows “a man of the people” when sick; we swallow medicine from hospitals.
3. No one flies in the air with “a man of the people”; we travel on roads every day.
4. No one pays school fees of his children with “a man of the people”; real economic empowerment is what solves the problem.
5. No one even directly gets daily essential services from “a man of the people”; it is the strong institutions put in place that guarantee access to those services.
6. No one can rely on “a man of the people” for the promises dished out; only a man of character and competence can be depended on for a better future.

So, dear politician, thank you for being a man of the people. But can you also be a man of character and a competent man of results? Dear voter, for this one time, as you prepare to cast your vote at any level, going forward, have a spinal cord that is strong enough to refuse being swayed by empty platitudes of “I am a man of the people”, “I am your son” or “I am always with you.” This is because such slogans do not pay fees for your children, put food on your table, or reduce the burden of exorbitant taxes that suffocate your little (or big) business.

Be sure that whoever you put stakes on is one that has semblances of having the capacity to create an environment within which you can do whatever you do — not only you alone but every other citizen. Focus on who can go beyond bringing mere change to facilitate real transformation of individuals, institutions, and communities. Stop voting for just the “man of the people”.

For God and my Country.