I consider myself to be a pragmatic optimist. My Christian convictions and beliefs enable me to be always positive and affirming often against great odds, and even when I have to be critical. One of my greatest concerns is to see us achieve the greatest good for the highest number of persons. I am also a firm believer in the superiority of the “Win-Win” approach over the “Win-Lose” approach. This has enabled me to disagree with a point of view (strongly at times) but never to become an enemy or disagreeable. This has led to misunderstanding at times by those who do not appreciate a difference of opinion. Experts tell us that such an attitude is a sign of insecurity and weakness.
At present, Anguilla finds itself mired deeply in a major multidimensional crisis which is showing signs of abating now. Increasing numbers of people are becoming frustrated, disillusioned and hopeless, and some are sinking into despair and depression. Despite that, I hold the view and affirm that every crisis is also an opportunity. Somewhere I read, or heard, it put like this: “Every setback is a setup for a comeback.” St. Paul, in writing to the Philippians Christians from prison long ago, encouraged them by affirming, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And American President, Mr. Barack Obama, popularized the same idea when he had Americans chant over and over: “Yes We Can!”
I wish to encourage my hurting fellow Anguillians by asking you to think positively and affirm: “Yes We Can,” “better must come,” and then act smartly and with intention. The fact is, we will definitely find our way out of the crisis and away from the crossroads, but we have to act in a specific way at the polls, bearing in mind that “Those who create the crisis cannot cure it.” Step one is to make sure that you put Anguilla in the hands of competent and Principle-centered leaders. Step two is to ensure that those leaders provide Principle-centered leadership, not the self-centered leadership of the past. Step three is for you, the people, to demand more accountability from these leaders. They are elected by you, the people, to be good stewards of the nation’s resources, and to be your faithful servants. Please understand that our politicians are neither owners nor bosses, but servants of the people to do the business of the people for the benefit of the people. They are supposed to be competent, committed and responsible stewards. Anguillians, please wake up to the fact that the days of self-centered manipulative and incompetent leadership are over. We have seen and tasted the sour fruit of such leadership, and we want it no more. Better will come when you change the old for the new.
In this article, and the next one, I wish to share with you two basic marks of the new type of leadership which is absolutely necessary to lead Anguilla forward. As I do so, I hope you will come to see and understand why I insist that the political leaders who brought us to the crisis, and at the crossroads, are not really capable of leading us out of it and into the new future.
This new future for Anguilla requires that the next set of political leaders operate with new paradigms, new thinking, new approaches, new styles, and new attitudes, because what is needed is a fundamental transformation, firstly, of the political culture, and then of the social habits, attitudes, and ethics in offices and other work places, in the homes and in our social interactions in general. So radical and pervasive is the change needed that it is best described as a “transformation.” Over the years, since 1976, the bad partisan politics of self-serving politicians has caused Anguilla to lose some good opportunities as well as its soul and its way. We now need a new breed of selfless altruistic, Principle-centered politicians who will provide transformational leadership to undo the damage of the past and put Anguilla back on course for true development, unity and prosperity. Transformational leadership focuses on the people, the organizations and the institutions to change them in mind and heart; to enlarge vision, insight and understanding; to clarify purposes; bring behavior in line with beliefs, principles and values; and to bring about changes that are permanent, self-perpetuating and momentum building. This, indeed, is a tall order but it must be done if Anguilla is to be rescued from further degeneration.
Again, I say, “Those self-serving politicians and mediocre functionaries, who have brought us to this level, cannot lift us out.” Fortunately, the new enlightened and competent leadership is on the horizon and it has the necessary vision, initiative, patience, respect, persistence, courage and faith, which are the qualities of transforming leaders. Some of you may think I am too harsh, but look objectively and seriously at where we are as an island and people, and you will likely conclude that I am somewhat tame. Selfishness, greed and ineptitude have been our downfall.
The nature of Anguilla’s crisis is far deeper, and much more complex, than the ailing economy, worsening unemployment and underemployment, the high cost of living, low wages, crumbling health and social services, the disrepair of the schools and infrastructure, etc., etc. These aspects of the problem are very important and need to be fixed as quickly as possible. However, there are other aspects of the problem which are not as visible but equally important, and in some ways more insidious. Special attention must be given to these as well. Very unfortunately, though, they have been largely neglected over the years, but these are the things which constitute and define a nation – and nurture the spirit and soul of a people, giving them a sense of pride and patriotism and a vision and purpose for living. These include, but are not limited to, the following: The intrinsic sanctity and worth of human life; the value of relationships and family; the importance of honesty, truth, justice, ethics and morality etc. In general, much greater attention must be given now, than was given before, to inspiring Anguillians of all walks to experience a deep sense of worth and fulfillment. With these will come love and commitment to Anguilla.
To help us understand how important this new leadership is in order to move Anguilla forward, I shall utilize insights from Stephen Covey’s book, “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People,” and his Principle-centered leadership concept. Writing especially for corporate America, at the close of the last century, he persuasively argued and demonstrated that only a Principle-centered approach, governed by the “Win-Win” paradigm, will foster and promote the change needed to make America the World leader it once was. Applying the same idea to the Anguillian context, I will continue to insist that Anguilla’s greatest need going forward is for political leaders who are Principle-centered and competent, and who have a full grasp of the meaning of “Win-win”. The old competitive “Win-Lose” approach has not worked, and will never work, for the greater good of Anguilla. It is time to abandon that approach.
We will now discuss one of the most important distinguishing marks of Principle-centered leadership. Principle-centered leadership is collaborative leadership. “Collaborative” means “working together.” This type of leadership is driven by the team spirit which is motivated by a common vision, and the ‘abundance mentality’, that is, the sense that there is enough for all. Where a ‘scarcity mentality’ prevails, people tend to think “I must get my share before someone else gets it”, or “I stand to lose if someone gets a good portion.” The result is that they begin to think of the other as an adversary, to allow the “Win-Lose” paradigm to dominate and to see the other as a competitor or an enemy. The result is that collaboration is no longer possible. People who think this way fail to realize that, generally, much more is achieved through collaboration and cooperation than through competition – and that when the team spirit drives a people, Together Everybody Achieves More. Collaboration and cooperation are therefore the way for Anguilla to go.
The greatest damage that partisan politics has done to Anguilla has been to contribute significantly to the destruction of the island’s spirit of cohesiveness and unity. While there has always been a strong spirit of “individualism” among the people, there had also been an equally strong spirit of “community” and sense of family. This was demonstrated so clearly in the culture of the “jollification” where members of the community frequently came together to assist another member to accomplish a major project like pouring the roof of a house, or preparing his land to be planted, or launching a boat. Because there was the strong spirit of caring, mixed with the strong sense of family and community and neighbourliness, Anguillians were fond of making themselves available to help each other and to share with each other, for the good of one another.
Unfortunately, this aspect of our national life has disappeared. “No thanks” to a brand of party politics which has replaced it with polarization, suspicion and the spirit of partyism. So strong and pervasive is this political polarization that it is now threatening the wellbeing of Anguilla. Growing up in Anguilla, I knew nothing of the “East-West” divide which is choking the life out of this small nation. I knew nothing of “turfism.” Our practice of party politics has blinded some of us (especially among the young) to the fact that it is one Anguilla and that we are one people with one life to live here as best we can. The manifest tribalism and polarization among the politicians are now becoming entrenched tribalism among some communities. As this can make no positive impact or contribution going forward, the new politicians must intentionally practice and promote the politics of collaboration and cooperation in order to rebuild the spirit of national unity, cohesion and pride. I challenge our present politicians to move to this level. It is not about us as AUM or AUF or DOVE, but about Anguilla: the young, the elderly, the middle aged, the lowly and not so lowly. Yes, people, Anguillians – not about you but the people.
Another important point note is this: Our traditional political and other leaders have had, and still have, great difficulty in separating national political issues from party political interests. Consequently, collaboration has been very difficult, but for those times when individuals perceived that there is some personal and party gain. One cannot avoid the conclusion that, for the majority, the party takes precedence over the island. I recall raising a national issue with a senior party official, but was dismissed with these words: “Look, I am a party politician.” That attitude is regrettable but it is present in this individual and in others because, for many or most politicians and party elites on both sides, the “party comes first”. This is definitely a dangerous and wrong attitude and it has contributed largely to the sad state we are now in. It ought to be “Anguilla first every time and everyday,” and if this can be the case, cooperation and collaboration will easily become the primary “modus operandi,” replacing competition and confrontation.
Why is it that in the past the leading minds in the AUM and AUF, along with others, could not be brought together to negotiate MOUs and other major projects, and so ensure the best deal for Anguilla? If that had been done we would not have all the bickering and bitterness as to whether we get the best deal. Why can’t there be collaboration in visioning and preparing a comprehensive long term plan for the development of the island and our youth, inclusive of seed funding for young entrepreneurs, and then making a “united” approach to UK, or an international agency, for assistance? If this can be done we will have continuity and consistency which will ensure effectiveness and enhance progress. The real reason lies in the fact that our political leaders are operating from the negative confrontational and competitive “Win-Lose” paradigm which places party over nation. Going forward, that must change. Collaboration and cooperation are the way to go.
Imagine the positive gains we could have had, and how much better off Anguilla would have been, if years ago our politicians and party loyalists had made a paradigm shift and embraced the more positive, collaborative cooperative complementary and supportive “Win-Win” paradigm. I plead for this paradigm shift in each politician, and among the two parties and party loyalists, if we are to move Anguilla beyond the present crisis to a sustainable future. Being a realist, however, I know it is a big challenge for some and an impossibility for many of you, but you owe it to Anguilla to become more collaborative by embracing the “Win-Win” approach. Only so will we see a truly new Anguilla.
I conclude this part by repeating what I said earlier: “Anguilla’s greatest need going forward is for Principle-Centered politicians and leaders who are driven by the spirit of cooperation and collaboration and the ‘Win-Win’ paradigm.” It is this new and enlightened leadership which will stimulate, encourage and promote real and lasting solutions to our crisis, and position Anguilla for true development. (More to come.)
