The time for choosing our political leaders is drawing near, my friends. A tremendous opportunity is provided for us to select our leaders to help forge our destiny, hence the urgency for us to ask ourselves these questions before Election Day: – “What do we want for our country?” “What qualities do we want in our leaders and elected officials?”
You see, an election is serious business. It is the tool that gives the electorate the chance to decide who governs the country. This right to vote is known as franchise. Hence, it should never be taken lightly. We should be very cautious about exercising that franchise. We must exercise our vote in favour of the most suitable person/persons to manage our affairs.
This is our time to let our voices be heard. Elections provide an opportunity for us to express our pleasure and displeasure. The elective system has this advantage that every eligible voter gets the opportunity of expressing his or her like or dislike for a particular candidate. The candidate who secures the largest number of votes is elected.
The choice is left for us to choose who we want to lead us. We have the power of choice. The power is in our hands as a people. We have the option of deciding which candidate to choose. It can bring us closer, to or further from, our dreams. Each decision we make points us to the road of success or the path of mediocrity. God instilled within us the ability to gather knowledge, assimilate it and then make the best decision we can based on our understanding. This means that we are the architects of our destiny.
Our choices are more important than we realize. What distinguishes us from animals is free will. God gives us the power to choose for a reason. He expects us to use it wisely. And choice is just that, POWER. It is a catalyst for change. God does not lay our destiny out before us. He looks for us to interact with Him in our process of working it out. Therefore we need to choose leaders who demonstrate the following:
? Leaders who have clear compelling visions and communicate those visions repeatedly. They see problems that need to be fixed, or goals that need to be achieved, and get the job done.
? Leaders who are “people persons”. They understand the differences that make people unique and are able to use those individuals’ skills to achieve their goals.
? Leaders who are positive, who encourage and reward people and make them want to do things and do them right.
? Leaders who have the ability to motivate everyone to contribute to nation building, who know how to encourage everyone to make them really want to do their best to achieve the country’s goals.
? Leaders who have learnt the mastery of anticipating business patterns, finding opportunities in pressure situations, serving the people they lead and overcoming hardships.
? Leaders who make the people feel safe to speak up confidently, share their perspectives and points of view on issues of national interest.
? Leaders who are expert decision-makers and who facilitate dialogue to empower their colleagues in order to reach a strategic conclusion or those who would do it themselves. Leaders who will focus on “making things happen” at all times, and sustain progress.
? Leaders who are great communicators, who constantly remind their colleagues of their core values and mission statement – ensuring that their vision is properly translated, and actionable objectives are properly executed.
? Leaders who not only understand the people’s needs, and endeavour to meet them, but who also understand their colleagues’ mindsets, capabilities and areas for improvement.
? Leaders who would use their knowledge and insight of the people they are serving, and challenge their team members to think and stretch themselves to reach or achieve their objectives in fulfilling their mandate. These types of leaders will excel in keeping their colleagues on their toes, and not allowing them to get comfortable or delinquent.
? Leaders who are accountable to the people at all times. Being accountable is a sign that our leaders are focused more on our success than just on their own.
? Leaders who lead by example, practice what they preach and are mindful of their actions. They know everyone is watching them and therefore will be models for the youths.
? Leaders who dream “BIG”! Who will refuse to let anyone or anything get in the way of achieving those dreams. Leaders who are realistic but unrelenting, polite but insistent, hardworking and industrious, constantly and consistently driving forward toward attaining their goals!
? Leaders with character, having sound judgement and are trustworthy to produce sustainable results!
? Leaders who care about the people they serve and not just only a few.
? Finally, leaders who are confident with themselves and their abilities, who know where they are going and demonstrate by their words and actions that there is no doubt that they will arrive, and who make the people feel that they want to go with them. Above all, we want leaders who can restore Anguilla’s belief in itself.
Remember: The quality of a leader is reflected in the standards they set for themselves. (Ray Kroc).
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com.
