Of Leaders and Power
Just some quotes, to give a perspective on leaders, both young and old and why they do what they do.
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"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions.
There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
- Senator Daniel Webster, June 17, 1825 from a speech commemorating the soldiers of the American Revolution
"What are the sources of this desire to be at the center stage, to be admired and adored, to have influence and power?
This desire, this need, is so overpowering in certain people that it seems to be the only thing that gives meaning to their life.
It seems as if the position of leadership offers the only salvation and without it, death, which is forever knocking on the door, is the only alternative."
- Micha Popper from the book, "Hypnotic Leadership: Leaders, Followers and the Loss of Self"
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"Good intentions will always be pleaded for every assumption of authority. It is hardly too strong to say that the Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions.
There are men in all ages who mean to govern well, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters."
- Senator Daniel Webster, June 17, 1825 from a speech commemorating the soldiers of the American Revolution
"What are the sources of this desire to be at the center stage, to be admired and adored, to have influence and power?
This desire, this need, is so overpowering in certain people that it seems to be the only thing that gives meaning to their life.
It seems as if the position of leadership offers the only salvation and without it, death, which is forever knocking on the door, is the only alternative."
- Micha Popper from the book, "Hypnotic Leadership: Leaders, Followers and the Loss of Self"
posted by Stingrayz | 1:02 AM
4 Comments:
You don't have to answer, of course, but here's 3 straight questions: do you believe that the PM is, on balance, influenced by KJ in a negative way?
KJ's been given a headstart in UMNO, partly because of his FIL. In your opinion, can he survive (politically) the end of Pak Lah's Administration?
If his time comes, do you think he will be a great PM?
Anon 2
Anon 2:
Here's 3 not very straighforward answers to your 3 straight questions:
1) On the PM being influenced by KJ (in a positive/negative way)
Yes - I think that KJ has influence on Pak Lah in both positive and negative ways.
On the positive side - KJ can be credited for the savvy election campaign machinery which promoted Pak Lah in a "presidential" style, in the last general election.
He can be credited with the formal setting up of a Policy Unit within the PM's Office and recruiting capable youngsters within it.
The only problem is: I suspect they are understaffed to do an effective job.
Britain, for example has over 60 people in their policy unit advising Tony Blair, to govern over 60 million people.
I think Pak Lah has about 8-9 people in the PM's Office, governing 24 million citizens and 2 million immigrants.
Considering that we have about 30 ministries, the numbers in the Policy Unit, should be double that, right now.
(Most developed countries have formal policy units advising Prime Ministers or Presidents on policy decisions. It's about time Malaysia had one. Not any Prime Minister, past or future, will be like Tun Mahathir - a one-man policy institution)
On the negative side, I think KJ's transparent and high-profile way of doing things, is gradually becoming a liability to the Prime Minister.
In Malaysia, people have no problems with children or family members of Ministers, who are doing business. It's a norm, you could say.
But most get the patronage, contracts and privileges on the quiet and they shy away from the limelight.
And most of them are not involved in politics, in a big way. And they don't seem to be in a rush or wielding too much influence within the party, in too short a time.
My personal hypothesis is that KJ's taken the other path and decided to build up credibility in a public and transparent way.
He's flaunted his "investment banker" status - because he probably does not want to be seen as making money from hidden political or non-professional means.
And I think that even though it's a bit flashy, it could have gone okay, if not for the ECM Libra/Avenue merger deal - a deal which was rumoured to have had the heavy backing of Ministry of Finance and was done without prior consultation with the senior management of Avenue.
(And unfortunately, a deal which had Pak Lah going on record saying "I was not aware of it". It would be less comforting if that was a lie, than the truth)
MyTeam is another example.
I think it's a good initiative at proving a point to FAM and Malaysians generally - but the question on everyone's mind is: would it have happened if KJ was not involved?
And was KJ doing it for his own political publicity and mileage?
But honestly, I think Pak Lah is still his own man on most issues, especially the ones that have to go through Cabinet.
He is advised by the Policy Unit on issues, but to say that this is all KJ's influence is to over-estimate the man. KJ's good - but he's not THAT good.
Perhaps, the only point that one can pin on KJ (without requiring documented proof) is that he's young and ambitious - and unlike the leadership tradition practised in UMNO - he's way too visible.
And that seems to be a source of discomfort in UMNO.
2) KJ's political survival
My short answer to this is - it depends on whether Tun Mahathir is still around, at the end of Pak Lah's administration.
The way it's currently going, Tun Mahathir may actually be responsible for the end (or shortening) of Pak Lah's administration - and possibly with it, KJ's political retirement.
3) Would KJ be a great PM?
It depends on how you define what a great PM is.
Opinions are even divided on whether Tun Mahathir was a great PM.
Some see the great good that he has done for Malaysia and others can also see the irreparable damage done to the system, via UMNO patronage and an "ends justify the means" approach.
Opinions do not diverge on whether Tun is a strong leader. Love him or hate him, he was a strong leader, undeniably. But great? The jury's still out on that one.
As for KJ - I think he has the potential to make it to the Prime Minister's seat, one day.
Whether he will be a great PM or not, depends on whether he learns from his mistakes, along the way.
Even bright people like Tun Mahathir has problems recognizing and admitting his own mistakes.
And if KJ is not careful, potentially, he could walk down and repeat the same path - much earlier.
History has shown that strong and intelligent leaders usually falter at the same qualities - the lack of patience, humility, integrity, self-introspection and a sense of fair play.
But yes, if he picks up more of the right qualities - I think he's got what it takes to be Malaysia's version of Bill Clinton.
Whether you think Clinton was a great leader, is another matter altogether, of course.
Off topic (yet maybe not so off): Italy - France finale. Yummy !!!The pundits are having difficulties over who should be leading the world's football for the next four years. Personally, I am vouching for the Azzuri. But Les Bleus have played convincingly enough to get back the Cup.
Forza Italia!! ;-)
Voice:
You were right! Forza Italia! :)
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