Fast forward to modern times. After WWII, the victorious Allied powers met in Yalta to carve out the world and decide "Who wants what?". Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin were the masters of the Globe. Beneath all the public announcements, a secret understanding was reached. They decided that there should be no further wars between the Caucasian race. When wars became necessary they should be consigned to Asia-Pacific, Africa or Latin America. However, this understanding soon became redundant. In 1962, I was a young student in the US. President John F. Kennedy was the major figure in world affairs. At a press conference, JFK was asked about reasons of his success. JFK replied: "I surround myself with people bigger and brighter than myself". Can you imagine Nawaz Sharif or Asif Zardari subscribing to such philosophy? Once Nelson Mandela was asked in a television interview "What is the difference between a politician and a statesman?" Mandela thought for a while then replied "A politician thinks about the next elections. A statesman thinks about the next generation". Our current PM, Imran Khan, has so far demonstrated fairly good leadership qualities. First, he created and then rode the populist wave against corruption. Now he has to deliver. He has no choice but to make political comprises. But he must draw a red line. 'IMRAN KHAN' is an internationally recognised brand. He must not squander his brand equity. Benazir Bhutto was once a highly valuable political brand. But the brand was reduced to nothing because of two main reasons: 1. Her continued association and support for Zardari; and 2. Sins of corruption.
The corporate world also has faced a leadership deficit. This is fraught with implications because multinational corporations are bigger than most countries. If Wal-Mart, Apple or Amazon were to implode, the consequence would be horrendous, worldwide. In Pakistan there is no need to dwell any further on corporate failures like PIA, Pakistan Steel, PSO, etc. Much has already been written, but no remedial measures have ever been taken.
In 2004, I was doing an international article on leadership. I interviewed many top personalities. I managed to arrange an interview with Lee Kuan Yew, the then PM and architect of modern Singapore. I spent three hours with him, first breakfast and then a long conversation where I only listened. Here are the takeaways:
1. Lee's leadership has stood the test of time. A rare phenomenon. Mandela's leadership has not stood the test of time.
2. A leader must know when his time is up. Better leave gracefully, than being pushed out.
3. A leader must form the best team possible - and groom them.
4. A leader must make quick decisions - even unpopular ones.
5. A leader's decision-making process is cold, impersonal, calibrated and unemotional. Friends and family don't matter.
6. The Buck stops here.
(The writer is the former Executive Director of the Management Association of Pakistan)
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