Gambia Deserves an Alpha

Barely eight weeks from now, we shall once again make a decision on who
will lead the nation for another five years. One is inclined to conclude
the choice for leadership is as clear as the difference between day and
night given the events and experiences of the last decade or more.

September elections abound, puffery abundant as I scribe; what we need now
is to reflect on what we expect in a leader and who among the contenders
will deliver. I am talking about those qualities not only subconsciously
absorbed but taken for granted in the milieu of the act of disintegration
of the only hope for salvation. I am trying to avoid delving into the
circumstances and resultant effects of “sharing unbaked cakes”, “biggest
mistakes made” or the democracy of numbers etc.; reflect on this for a
minute:

In primary school arithmetic we were taught that when you add one and one
together, the result is 2. Later on we learn that the result is two only
if you are using the base of ten (decimals). In binary or base two, the
answer is 11. Comparably, in biology class we learned of a special type of
relationship between two organisms that is called synergism. Synergism
happens when the total effect of two organisms acting together is greater
than the total effect of the two organisms acting independently. Now, one
plus one is greater than two. The real answer may be three, four or more.
So it is with expectations and qualities of leadership.

Yaya Jammeh, Ousainou Darboe, Halifa Sallah and perhaps one more, have
expressed their intention in becoming our leader for the next five years.
The time is ripe for us to reflect on what each has for leadership
qualities.

What is important is whether Yaya, Ousainou or Halifa is sensitive and
responsive to the needs of the public, has the management skills for the
job and understands the politics of governing. The givens for an elected
leader are honesty and integrity. Our minds will tend to make poor
decisions, but our hearts should act as a cushion against the effects of
such decision by mitigation. A leader with a strong heart manifestation of
honesty and integrity is what we deserve.

Leadership, especially that of a nation, can be fun and rewarding,
however, one should not expect to become rich as a public servant. On the
other hand, you should enrich the welfare and provide for justice in the
lives of others. President Abraham Lincoln once said, "As for being
president, I feel like the man who was tarred and feathered and ridden out
of town on a rail." He also said, "I have never professed an indifference
to the honors of official station; and were I to do so now, I should only
make myself ridiculous. Yet I have never failed-do not now fail-to
remember that in the cause there is a higher aim than mere office."

I like to think at this juncture in Gambia’s history, we deserve an Alpha.
We deserve a leader among leaders. Being a leader among leaders is like
being a chimp among chimps. The leader of the pack is the Alpha chimp.
Within a well defined and structured social order, the Alpha chimp is
responsible for the pack's welfare and protection. This responsibility may
cost the Alpha his life though he must always stand up to the bullies.

In 2001 elections, one of the lessons learnt is that weakness invites
aggression. A leader that is prepared, organized and independent, will
become less of a target. Let me throw in these three Fs: flight, freeze or
fight. As a leader, you can run away, ignore the threat or defend the
territory. Whatever course of action you select as the Alpha leader, your
decision must have some base in wisdom so the pack backs you up to the
hilt.

Margaret Thatcher had it for me when she said "Being powerful is like
being a lady, if you have to tell people you are-you aren't." That's the
way it is with being a skillful leader.

So the question arises: Can either Ousainou or Halifa lead and serve
simultaneously? How? (Yaya is not an option for me). When a leader becomes
servile he ceases to be a leader in my book. A leader can be strong in
personality and character, but the good leader must understand that to be
a great leader, he must always keep the welfare of the pack foremost in
his heart. Who is our Alpha?

Some would wish that political life is much simpler just after they poll a
majority in the upcoming election. Yeah, black is black and white is
white. We all have a distinct awareness of what is right and what is
wrong. I know I do, do you? Here’s what I, and I believe every Gambian
should want and expect from our next leader:

I want my next leader to be accessible. Don't just say hello, listen with
interest to what people say. It has to be clear to my Alpha leader that in
politics, the best public opinion is a one-on-one conversation with a
constituent. However, for such to be meaningful, people must be aware that
the leader will not be offended by what they have to say.

I want my Alpha leader to persuade rather than coerce or intimidate me. I
expect my leader to fan the sparks of curiosity; nurture the seeds of
creativity; communicate the excitement of the business of nation building;
promote imaginative and courageous behavior for a better society. I do not
wish my leader to be dictatorial. Leaders delegate responsibility and
authority by empowering people to act on their own. Both Napoleon and
Hitler were absolute masters of their political systems. Each left the
same lasting legacy-zero! Absolutely zero! No one picked up their
political banner and carried it forward.

My Alpha must understand the job of politics is a challenge to one's
honesty and integrity. Honesty and integrity are fundamental personality
traits of a good leader. I do not expect my leader to be cake baker or
server nor a receiver of slices of baked or unbaked cakes. I expect my
leader to be vigilant of challenges to his integrity at all times. An
effective leader speaks with actions as well as words.

I want my leader to lead by being led. I want an Alpha that will not
hesitate to sacrifice his ego and pride. It has been said that a person is
leading effectively when people scarcely realize that he leads. A good
leader is one who talks little and when his work is done, his aim
fulfilled, people will say, "We did this ourselves."

I want my leader be able to communicate in a clear and concise manner. I
expect him to provide a clear, concise statement of where he wants the
nation to head to under his leadership. He should not expect people to be
able to read his mind.

I do not want a leader that straddles the fence at all times. When you
straddle a fence, you end up in excruciating pain when your footing slips.
I expect my leader to always bear the element of consistency. I expect to
know where he stands on issues. I may not agree, but I will know where he
stands.

My Alpha has to be decisive at all times. Often a leader is forced to make
important decisions quickly; to operate under the gun, but still make wise
and accurate decisions based on facts.

I remember many encounters with chameleons at our farms when I was a kid.
I used to admire the way the chameleon could blend in so that you didn't
even notice it was there. However, as I grow up, I understand that a
leader cannot be a chameleon. Leadership is dependent upon action. A
leader must be decisive.

I want my next leader to accept and have the courage to lead. If you want
accept to and want to be the leader of a nation,  then you must in no way
complain about the inabilities, lack of trust in or of helpers, the
ingratitude of humankind, nor the lack of appreciation of the public. My
version of the serenity prayer goes like this, "God, grant me the serenity
to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can
and the wisdom to know it's me!"

For the rest of the pack, I leave you with these words of advice: "If you
don't want to run with the Alpha, then stay on the porch and beware of
straddling!"

Gambia deserves an Alpha; Gambia deserves Halifa Sallah and NADD’s
leadership.

July 23, 2006
Abdoulie Jallow (BambaLaye)

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