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My sixth sense tells me that today’s title could be misconstrued as being provocative by readers who just give it a superficial glance – without going into some depth. I am therefore taking a precautionary measure by quoting a world renowned crop scientist who once taught me, Professor Godfrey Sam-Aggrey (Doctor of Science, not Philosophy!). He once said (during a lecture), that in Africa, if you hear people saying that you are a good leader, then the chances are that something fundamental is being compromised and that the reverse is true! Needless to say that this was said after the majority of the students in the class had failed an exam and were now pleading for leniency!
We will unlock the title in the paragraphs that follow, including the implications thereof, in the working and social world.
This topic could do with some premising — I personally went through three or so tough and aligned leaders, growing up. The first one was none other than my late father (Mr AV Masiye) -he was not an easy customer, that I can tell you, dear reader. He was toughest, if that term is acceptable, but yet the most amicable man, if you followed his line of thought.
He taught me respect, hard work and belief in self-wonderful teachings indeed. Meet me and test me against any of these pillars, will you! The conclusion reached is that my father was indeed a good man, although at that stage I could have easily dismissed him as a not so good man.
The next leader I came across is the living legend, ubaba u OM Mnyama — master at the following; teaching, dedication to his job and an ardent follower of the Christian teaching of “spare the rod and spoil the child” — yeyi wena! Was he a bad man? Certainly not — a whole range of graduates have come through his able hands.
Then came the renowned Doctor of Science, who makes no amends for his rich academic and research exploits — world travelled and much published. He is indeed a wonderful Professor, whose competitive advantage (at the time he taught me) was in producing a thinking graduate- able to apply principles learnt in class to solve practical problems.
He would not hesitate to fail you if you were premised on regurgitating from a textbook — tough Professor indeed. Looking back in retrospect, was the Professor bad? Not in the least, I say — I am now the better at analysing situations because of him!
What constitutes tough and aligned leadership?
A working definition of a tough and aligned leader (as used in this article), is someone who is focused on achieving well defined and progressive goals. He does not compromise standards to suit individuals but rather tries to bring others to his standards.
There are a number of key attributes that these leaders possess, and some of these are described below:-
Knowledgeable and goal oriented: — This combination becomes one of the key attributes. They are masters at what they want to progress, have objectives/goals clearly set out, at start. The subordinates are then taken through the paces, in accordance with their levels of understanding.
Focused: — Tough and aligned leaders are always focused. The existence of goals and built- in evaluations, makes it possible for this to happen
Pay attention to sources of competitive advantage: — Tough and aligned leaders are aware that things do not just happen on their own, and therefore pay attention to those issues that bring about competitive advantage.
They invest in coaching/training
They have a keen desire to teach/coach those under them, in an effort to inculcate knowledge, skill and the right behaviour.
Expectations by tough and aligned leaders
This is always the departure point. Because of all the investments made above, tough and aligned leaders of necessity expect deliverables. They are not happy if those expected to deliver, deliver substandard outputs or do not deliver at all. This is where you then get comments to the effect that a leader is tough/ difficult, etc. Are these comments/observations justified, dear reader?
Tough leaders socially
The contentious area socially, is always around the bringing up of children. What used to obtain yesteryear, and what obtains nowadays, becomes the bone of contention. Was there tough and aligned leadership then, and what is the scenario now? We want to explore this a little more in the paragraphs below.
Ours was such a good upbringing — there was lots of space to explore in the rural areas. You worked (from as soon as you were able to walk) for what you got from your parents. You got a pair of khaki shorts and a shirt in return for looking after goats initially, and at a later stage, cattle. The concept of “nothing for mahala” was fully inculcated in us, from a very tender age. The long and short of it is that tough leadership did not bother us, it actually carried the day for us.
The landscape has changed, quite drastically, I must say — what, with the existence of child rights. What used to obtain during our times, can easily constitute child abuse these days.
Is there room for tough and aligned leadership in the upbringing of children, these days?
Hayi madoda, in fact bomama, or better still, parents — we cannot let things go on like this. I know, in most cases it is always with good intentions, but then the end product is sometimes spoilt and directionless children.
I do not want to belabor the point, but let us show some muscles guys, tell it like we used to get it from our parents. I won’t be prescriptive about the rod — maybe let your teaching mouth be your rod!
Let them say to their friends itopi/umasalu wami utricky, after you have taught them life lessons, really good. Remember, if you hear them say umasalu /ubaba uya understanda (my parents are understanding), know that you are compromising something! These guys are going to be expected to stand-up on their own, down the line.
I have said it before, our economy was never built on productivity concepts, in the main. Inefficiencies in production, supported by price increases and easy going output by employees and management, were the mainstay.
When cheap imports start coming left right and centre, we start screaming! We need graduates in our systems, and more of them with a Work Study mindset. We need more Managers/supervisors, with a training background.
Let there be tough and aligned leaders in organizations, leaders who will turn around the fortunes of ailing organisations, and further improve those already doing well.
I penned an article on lessons we can learn from the animal and crop kingdoms, a few weeks ago, and a couple readers got excited.
Nust talks about ‘thinking’ outside the box, I say let us act outside the box (after the thinking). All I know is that tough and aligned leadership is soon admired, when deliverables start flowing.
Take home this week
I trust that we all got the definition of tough and aligned leadership- it has nothing to do with being feared, except maybe the fear that comes about when someone has not done their job.
It’s a leadership with direction. It is to be found in the upbringing of children, in spiritual issues, and certainly in business circles. It is the type of leadership that leaves a legacy.
Enough is enough. I need to rest my case for this week.
Send your views to e-mail address hecandbe@ gmail.com or sms 0777556081.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter