Politicians or Leaders

We will have to decide for ourself who we want in office come next election. Do you want a politician or do you want a leader?

The difference is really easy to spot, a politician is consumed with looking good while a leader is focused on doing good. Granted both will mess up as is the nature of human. However one will attempt to serve the people and the other serve their ego.

I work for DC Talk Radio station on 90.9FM in Lusaka Zambia, you can visit our website and stream us live @ dctalkradio.co.zm. After almost a week of planning and setting things in place for a prominent politician in Zambia to come for an interview. Suddenly things changed and instead of coming to our station he went to a bigger station same day time and everything. I understand the game is the game and this is how politics works and its because of that, that I am livid.

Granted a lot of people would equally do the same, I mean you want more people to see you. More people to been seen by and that makes sense from a business point of view but it lacks integrity. Because people made efforts to ensure we could have that conversation live on our air ways and if you were not interested you could have said that from the jump instead of waiting for the last moment to refuse. In the midst of my anger however, I realised why I was livid.

Its because what happened to us today is an example of what poor leadership looks like. It is a popularity contest based more on where the visibility is available and not where you promised to be. Yes, I’m still seething by how that could happen but in honesty its deeper than a radio discussion.

This showed me why we have people living below the poverty line, why hospitals struggle, money doesn’t get to the right places and why generally we have poor standards which we have resigned our fates to. If it’s not sexy or doesn’t look good to a politician then it probably won’t be done until it will have a big impact.

That’s why issues happening in compounds don’t get solved because not as many people care enough to speak out about it. That’s why minority groups rarely have the necessary help from governments because it doesn’t affect the majority of people or majority of paying people and so until the spotlight is on them then nothing will be talked about or done.

That’s why mental health in Zambia is talked about but not a lot of real world application because at the moment it’s not their issue to deal with. Looking past today’s slightly unsettling issue a real question will have to be asked by each person before we give our vote away.

Do we want someone who looks good or someone who is good?

Do you want a politician or a leader?

I can’t simply make an entire judgement about someone based off of one incident but I can say that every action creates an impression and when you decide you want to stand on ceremony and lead a people every encounter will leave an impression.

Impressions will tell people who you are or rather who you post to be and this shows a glimpse of what to expect.
I see very few leaders who want to selflessly lead their nation into greatness. I see more leaders who want to serve their own image and pockets.

To be a leader isn’t about doing the most popular thing it’s about doing the right thing and if as a leader you don’t know what the right thing is, then you need to have advisors to direct you and if you can’t decide who the right advisors are then maybe you shouldn’t be trying to lead a whole nation.

As a leader understand that you don’t work for the elite few, you work for everyone including those who didn’t vote for you and if that isn’t something you can do, then maybe you should consider doing something else.

People put their lives in your hands and if you are not suitable enough to handle that situation then leave it for those willing to help the nation, not a particular group of people but everyone in your domain. Lead whether you are seen or not but lead with integrity and show that you want the power to bring about positive change for us all and not just for you alone.

I’m really still pissed off but life must go on even as I ask for politicians and leaders to have integrity I also ask that leadership may begin with us all so that we can take the lead, stop making excuses for our leaders and start holding them accountable to their words and actions.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed day and may you be the example of the change you want to see, be blessed.