WITHOUT taking political sides, the latest State of the Nation Address (SONA) of the incumbent president was one of the most, if not the most, harshly criticized presidential speeches. It was a report by the highest official of the land that did not escape being ridiculed. Filipinos are known for their exceptional talent in coining words to mock, with pun intended, saying things like, “SONA became SANA”, “SONA means State Of No Achievement”, “SONA means SOrry NA” and many more.
It was a SONA delivered in the midst of countless problems being experienced by the Filipino people. Finding a solution to corruption amidst an economic crisis is at the forefront. There is the rising cost of basic necessities and inflation caused by external factors, like war and geopolitics, as well as an internal lack of economic strategy.
It is baffling why those who are about to lead us cannot even pick up a book on leadership so that they can have at least the slightest hint of what it means to be a leader. How I wish they would read a book like the one by James Kouzes and Barry Posner, “The Truth About Leadership: The No-Fads, Heart-of-the-Matter Facts You Need to Know,” published in 2010. It became one of the best-selling books the duo published on leadership, alongside those published by another duo, Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal.
In this book, the first point Kouzes and Posner explain about leadership is that focusing on the future sets leaders apart: the need to always be forward-looking and visionary. In short, being visionary is the line that separates leaders from followers. Having a vision is a matter of knowing where and how you will bring the country to a desired state in the future. Vision is supposed to bring change — change for the better.
Visionary leaders have a clear grasp of when short-term programs should be differentiated from long-term ones based on an overall strategy for achieving progress. It is glaringly obvious that government dole-outs are not promising steps toward real progress, unlike a long-term plan to provide sustainable employment.
This is the fifth SONA, but it sounded just like the first — communicating plans and echoing promises. This is when it is supposed to be a stage for reporting achievements and solidifying sustainable steps toward progress.
Realistically speaking, not all public concerns may significantly improve in a single presidential term. However, at least some landmark accomplishments should be felt, especially those providing the basic necessities of citizens, such as health care, education and the affordability of basic commodities. Overall, the simple metric to gauge a vision that has turned into reality is what is usually asked by political analysts: “Have the lives of the people improved compared to the last few years?”
The next important truths about leadership mentioned by Kouzes and Posner are interrelated: “Credibility is the foundation: People must believe in the messenger before they believe the message”; “Values drive commitment: Leaders must know their own principles, and followers need clear standards”; and “Trust rules: Openness and caring create safe environments for high performance.” Although they are discussed separately, they all pertain to the preeminence of a leader’s integrity. Integrity is the foundation of trust, and it is reinforced by personal values.
The integrity of government leaders has eroded since what is considered the “mother of all corruption” involving flood control projects was uncovered. As common knowledge tells us, trillions of pesos are unaccounted for. Such a fiasco is happening under the watch of the current administration.
Any crack in integrity and trustworthiness proves fatal. It is “the elephant in the room” that needs to be squarely addressed. People cannot move on if the injustice of doing backbreaking work by the common citizens of the land is not justly compensated, especially because even the little they have is being taken away from them.
As the popular saying in leadership goes, “A fish rots from the head down.” The downfall of any institution, or even a government, starts with the person who occupies the highest position and cascades top-down. Just as when you want honesty and courage to transpire throughout the whole organization, it starts with the leader. In the same way, when unethical practices, indecisiveness and public uncertainty become evident, they cascade from the aura of the leader.
Another essential point Kouzes and Posner explain is that, as a leader, you have to acknowledge the fact that “you cannot do it alone.”
The need to be surrounded by the right people is of paramount importance. They must have the technical know-how while aligning their nationalism with the leader. Figuratively, they become the minds and hands of the person who holds the vision. As observed, too much investment in political capital, as seen in this present administration, does not solve problems. A massive investment should be focused on hiring and positioning technocrats rather than those who just secure their power under the mantle of bureaucracy.
It is always puzzling to realize that thousands of Filipinos become prominent abroad with remarkable profiles in almost all fields. They bring their ingenuity to other countries, so why can’t it be brought to our very own?
Assuming leadership roles without knowing and possessing the fundamental leadership skills is costly. Taking it on the scale of leading the government of a nation, there would surely be a steep price to pay by the succeeding generation in every detrimental effect of poor leadership.
Jesus Jay Miranda, OP, is an organization and leadership studies resource person. He teaches at the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School and the Department of Educational Leadership and Management of the Bro. Andrew Gonzalez, FSC-College of Education of De La Salle University-Manila. Contact him at jaymiranda.op@ust.edu.ph.
