Ben Franklin's words of wisdom remain true for great leaders. " Early to bed, early to rise". Let me add mine: Sleep early, wake up strong. Regular sleep is an essential part of a leader's life. An early start, after a good night's sleep is a critical ingredient of a leader's behaviour.
Harry Truman, 33rd President of United States followed this path. He even had after lunch nap. Winston Churchill believed his afternoon nap was a non- negotiable part of his daily routine. He kept a bed in the houses of parliament and believed that napping was key to his success in leading the Great Britain.
Lyndon B Johnson who worked hard to see through the ambitious legislative agenda like the Civil Rights Bill was not any different. By 2pm, he had a 30 minutes nap everyday. John F. Kennedy, after lunch would settle for a nap of 1-2 hours, asking not to be disturbed unless it was truly emergency.
JB West, Head of household staff recalled that during those hours the Kennedy doors were closed. No telephone calls were allowed, no folders sent up, no interruptions from staff. Nobody went up for any reason.
Ronald Reagan, another mercurial American President, posted in his diary "afternoon is still nap time". Often he took one to recharge before attending a formal event. Given to humour, he joked about criticism of his sleep. When he was leaving office, he said that his cabinet chair should be inscribed "Ronald Reagan slept here".
Albert Einstein claimed he needed ten hours of sleep to function well, President Calvin Coolidge demanded eleven.
The term 24/7 has become part of our culture. It bears the misleading notion that sleep is a waste of time and a sign weakness. This thinking has no place in scientific reality. Many are deluded into thinking that holding meetings in the dead of night instead of observing sleep is the best practice.
However, the benefits of good sleep include; the ability of the brain to organize and process information.
The leaders cited earlier were deep thinking and successful persons in their rights and time. Our country, Nigeria, needs leaders who think outside the box, starting from our homes to the political stage, let us groom great leaders. Leaders who have unassailable rigour of thought achieved in part through a healthy sleep regimen.
Monday 27 October 2014
Friday 1 August 2014
Timing Is Of the Essence
New Orleans, United States is an unusual city surrounded by water. To the north lies Lake Pontchartran, south the Mississippi River to the east and west low-lying swamplands. Canals crisscross the city.
You cant drive into New Orleans without crossing a major bridge. It lies below sea level,on the average of six feet.
On Wednesday August 24, 2005, Hurricane Katrina threatened the city as predicted by experts. Leaders of neigbouring Louisiana ordered mandatory evacuation.
But one man was not bothered. The city's major, Ray Nagins. He was concerned about the legal, financial and business implications. He waited. Three days after he finally announced voluntary evacuation of New Orleans. This was only after the director of National Hurricane Centre, Max Mayfield, called him on phone on Saturday nite.
"Max scared the crap out of me" Nagins said. The hurricane made a landfall the next day and left deaths and destructions in its wake.
Nagins did not understand the Law of Timing as a leader.
Back home, a few years ago, the Federal Government, withdrew subsidy on petroleum products on December 31, 2012. Many Nigerians had travelled to their villages to celebrate having made their budgets.
The withdrawal triggered increases in transport fares. Many were financial hostages of their pockets and had to borrow money to return to their stations.
The defect as in Nagins' story was failure to understand that WHEN is as important an element as how.Great leaders understand that a good decision can be marred by the timing, they are circumspect therefore about when.
Nigeria needs leaders who know WHEN to move and WHEN not to stop, starting from our homes to the public space, let us raise them for the benefit of the generations to come.
You cant drive into New Orleans without crossing a major bridge. It lies below sea level,on the average of six feet.
On Wednesday August 24, 2005, Hurricane Katrina threatened the city as predicted by experts. Leaders of neigbouring Louisiana ordered mandatory evacuation.
But one man was not bothered. The city's major, Ray Nagins. He was concerned about the legal, financial and business implications. He waited. Three days after he finally announced voluntary evacuation of New Orleans. This was only after the director of National Hurricane Centre, Max Mayfield, called him on phone on Saturday nite.
"Max scared the crap out of me" Nagins said. The hurricane made a landfall the next day and left deaths and destructions in its wake.
Nagins did not understand the Law of Timing as a leader.
Back home, a few years ago, the Federal Government, withdrew subsidy on petroleum products on December 31, 2012. Many Nigerians had travelled to their villages to celebrate having made their budgets.
The withdrawal triggered increases in transport fares. Many were financial hostages of their pockets and had to borrow money to return to their stations.
The defect as in Nagins' story was failure to understand that WHEN is as important an element as how.Great leaders understand that a good decision can be marred by the timing, they are circumspect therefore about when.
Nigeria needs leaders who know WHEN to move and WHEN not to stop, starting from our homes to the public space, let us raise them for the benefit of the generations to come.
Power of Foresight
With 7.2m US dollars the United States Secretary Of State William Seward, purchased what is now the State of Alaska. That was on March 30, 1867. He had been appointed by the venerated President Abraham Lincoln.
The land was unexplored and thought to be too expensive. The Russians sold it to checkmate British interests in the Pacific.
Seward was criticized roundly at the time. Some said he was crazy and termed the deal " Seward's Folly". Seward had difficulties convincing the US Senate of the value of the acquisition. The Senate ratified the treaty that approved the purchase by just one vote.
Ultimately, buying Alaska proved a valuable move. It increased the size of the US by nearly 20 percent, in 1889 gold was discovered in Yukon, a town in Alaska and petroleum later, which is now its most lucrative mineral resource.
Not a few think that Russia made a humongous error to sell a rich item for peanuts. That is the thinking centuries down the line. However, the flipside is William Seward's, then a fool now a wise leader.
He had vision. He saw what his countrymen could not. He believed in it and went bald headed for it. This is the stuff great leaders are made of.
Nigeria needs today, leaders of this make. She needed it since 1914. Seward was a visionary, a hero and critically, a Great Leader. Would we dare to raise such leaders now? Starting from our homes to the public space, for the benefit of generations to come, let us raise Sewards.
The land was unexplored and thought to be too expensive. The Russians sold it to checkmate British interests in the Pacific.
Seward was criticized roundly at the time. Some said he was crazy and termed the deal " Seward's Folly". Seward had difficulties convincing the US Senate of the value of the acquisition. The Senate ratified the treaty that approved the purchase by just one vote.
Ultimately, buying Alaska proved a valuable move. It increased the size of the US by nearly 20 percent, in 1889 gold was discovered in Yukon, a town in Alaska and petroleum later, which is now its most lucrative mineral resource.
Not a few think that Russia made a humongous error to sell a rich item for peanuts. That is the thinking centuries down the line. However, the flipside is William Seward's, then a fool now a wise leader.
He had vision. He saw what his countrymen could not. He believed in it and went bald headed for it. This is the stuff great leaders are made of.
Nigeria needs today, leaders of this make. She needed it since 1914. Seward was a visionary, a hero and critically, a Great Leader. Would we dare to raise such leaders now? Starting from our homes to the public space, for the benefit of generations to come, let us raise Sewards.
Friday 25 July 2014
Presidential Modesty
He is in his late 70s, born to Spanish and Italian parents, but lost his father at 5. In the 1960s, he joined a guerilla movement. During that stint, he was imprisoned for14 years, shot six times, confined to bottom of a well for over two years.
Due to his charisma, he was elected to the senate and later named Minister of Agriculture. In 2009, he was elected President of his country. Widely described as "world's poorest President"
He donates 90 percent of his twelve thousand dollars monthly salary to charities, using an aging V Bettle as transport and lives on a farm owns by his senator wife.
"It seems he have been born to consume and consume and when we can no longer, we have a feeling of frustration and we suffer from poverty......" he once said
"Those who describe me as poor are the poor ones, my definition of poor are those who need too much and are never satisfied" he added.
A leader who is one of a kind is this ! Please meet Jose Mujica ( xose muxica ) President of Uruguay, the country with one of the best medical system.
Can Jose Mujica inspire Nigerian leaders and indeed followers? This is thought for food.
Due to his charisma, he was elected to the senate and later named Minister of Agriculture. In 2009, he was elected President of his country. Widely described as "world's poorest President"
He donates 90 percent of his twelve thousand dollars monthly salary to charities, using an aging V Bettle as transport and lives on a farm owns by his senator wife.
"It seems he have been born to consume and consume and when we can no longer, we have a feeling of frustration and we suffer from poverty......" he once said
"Those who describe me as poor are the poor ones, my definition of poor are those who need too much and are never satisfied" he added.
A leader who is one of a kind is this ! Please meet Jose Mujica ( xose muxica ) President of Uruguay, the country with one of the best medical system.
Can Jose Mujica inspire Nigerian leaders and indeed followers? This is thought for food.
Monday 21 July 2014
VACATION AS REBOOTING
Leaders who know what they are in for, often take a break to reboot. President Barack Obama never missed his annual vacation since he assumed office. Last year he said he was "eager to skip town" as he jetted to his birthplace, Hawaii.
He planned a 17-day leave, where he looked forward to a period of uninterrupted rest and relaxation.
Vacations have always been a part of the Presidency in the world's most admired democracy, the United States.
George W. Bush did not miss his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Ronald Reagan rode horses in Santa Babara, California. John F. Kenedy went sailing off Cape Cod, Massachusettes. Franklin Roosevelt spent roughly half of his presidency out of town.
"The understanding is that vacation is "an essential Rebooting Process". Douglas Brinkley, an American historian says, adding "he's got to get away to THINK". That is the most underrated attributed we need in our President-TO THINK.
Obama said " I am sure that i will have even better ideas after a couple of days of sleep and sun". A peep into the lives of our men in office, from from top to local levels reveals "restlessness".
In Nigeria, the concept of "accumulated leave" is common with public office holders.
The fear is that just one day "out of office" will be a great "loss". The wider implication is that our leaders "DO NOT THINK". If vacation is a time to think and our leaders do not take it, it means they are less thoughtful. It is little surprise that the net effect is the current leadership deficit.
Lets encourage leaders to take time out for vacation as routinely as possible, knowing its a rebooting exercise necessary for good governance.
In our clime the concept of accumulated
He planned a 17-day leave, where he looked forward to a period of uninterrupted rest and relaxation.
Vacations have always been a part of the Presidency in the world's most admired democracy, the United States.
George W. Bush did not miss his ranch in Crawford, Texas. Ronald Reagan rode horses in Santa Babara, California. John F. Kenedy went sailing off Cape Cod, Massachusettes. Franklin Roosevelt spent roughly half of his presidency out of town.
"The understanding is that vacation is "an essential Rebooting Process". Douglas Brinkley, an American historian says, adding "he's got to get away to THINK". That is the most underrated attributed we need in our President-TO THINK.
Obama said " I am sure that i will have even better ideas after a couple of days of sleep and sun". A peep into the lives of our men in office, from from top to local levels reveals "restlessness".
In Nigeria, the concept of "accumulated leave" is common with public office holders.
The fear is that just one day "out of office" will be a great "loss". The wider implication is that our leaders "DO NOT THINK". If vacation is a time to think and our leaders do not take it, it means they are less thoughtful. It is little surprise that the net effect is the current leadership deficit.
Lets encourage leaders to take time out for vacation as routinely as possible, knowing its a rebooting exercise necessary for good governance.
In our clime the concept of accumulated
Thursday 10 July 2014
Big Man Syndrome
Nigerians, like their leaders are plagued by the Big man Syndrome, aka Oga. A pride driven attitude which makes one think that success is defined by the number of persons engaged to handle chores he could ordinarily do himself, and other high feeling behaviour.
In many instances, for the big man who holds a public office, the state pays for chauffeurs ( one each for the Oga, Oga Madam, each of the children), a laundry man, Schoolrunner, chef, steward, mai-guard, etcetera.
For this many want to be Oga. The collateral effect is the turning of humans to pseudo immortals. The oga acquires the fragrance of a god. He must not lift a finger!
This pattern is found in the office, religious enviroments and socio economic boundaries and even the home. Where the retinue of hangers on are unaffordable people redouble their efforts to meet the cost estimates. Luckily, the destitudes in the villages would do. This big man disease transcends every aspects of the Nigerian life.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron, like parents across the United Kingdom dashes out of his home for school runs, drops his children and returns to 10 Downing to chair cabinet meetings. He insists on taking his children to school "to keep his feet on the ground" and helping Samantha with childcare.
"I manage to take my children to school, but its got to be possible to be a decent husband, a good father and a good PM".
United States Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, while in office, occasionally got into the kitchen to prepare their favourite delicacies.
Shouldnt we borrow a leaf from these truly big men? Can humility find a place in our governance and public life? Wouldnt we save our dear country so much funds if we emulate these men?
Great leaders are draped in modesty and humility.
In many instances, for the big man who holds a public office, the state pays for chauffeurs ( one each for the Oga, Oga Madam, each of the children), a laundry man, Schoolrunner, chef, steward, mai-guard, etcetera.
For this many want to be Oga. The collateral effect is the turning of humans to pseudo immortals. The oga acquires the fragrance of a god. He must not lift a finger!
This pattern is found in the office, religious enviroments and socio economic boundaries and even the home. Where the retinue of hangers on are unaffordable people redouble their efforts to meet the cost estimates. Luckily, the destitudes in the villages would do. This big man disease transcends every aspects of the Nigerian life.
 |
| UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, walking his 8 year-old daughter to school. |
"I manage to take my children to school, but its got to be possible to be a decent husband, a good father and a good PM".
United States Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, Gerald Ford and Bill Clinton, while in office, occasionally got into the kitchen to prepare their favourite delicacies.
Shouldnt we borrow a leaf from these truly big men? Can humility find a place in our governance and public life? Wouldnt we save our dear country so much funds if we emulate these men?
Great leaders are draped in modesty and humility.
Willful Slavery
Back in time Africans were forcefully loaded unto ships to various destinations in the Americas. They were to keep the myriads of industries working. Sources of cheap labour. Then slavery was condemned as man's inhumanity to man.
Many people paid the Supreme price to see to its end. When the United States Of America, that great icon of freedom, fought a fratricidal war, Slavery was the trigger.
Fast forward to present day, Africans not excluding Nigerians, assemble themselves in their numbers, lay hold of objects with dubious capacity to remain and move atop mass of water, and head for Europe.
Of course many die on their way to live. Lately, the number of African migrants who are all too willing to take the risk of their lives on the way to Lampedusa near Italy from Morocco enroute any part of Europe are in thousands.
Undettered others take the Saharan routes sometimes carrying babies only a few days old, in their journey to properity, only to die in the desert with their young. The ever growing army of unemployed persons are ready to become slaves anywhere outside Nigeria, to be engines of cheap labour, happily.
Another slavery has taken a life of its own, centuries after the end of the one William Wilberforce fought against. A brand of human trafficking has crept on us, this time without force. Its self demanded.
Their lands hold no promise of life for them, though Africa is the most endowed in mineral resources of all continents. Poor leadership has been its own Tsunami, failing to make good the promise of good life to the people.
As slavery takes an incestuous dimension, will this generation rise to the challenge? Will we rise against the twin evil of corruption and poverty and give hope to all of God's people in Nigeria and Africa? Will we put an end to neo-African slavery?
Great Leadership holds the ace.
 |
| Enslaved African men |
Many people paid the Supreme price to see to its end. When the United States Of America, that great icon of freedom, fought a fratricidal war, Slavery was the trigger.
Fast forward to present day, Africans not excluding Nigerians, assemble themselves in their numbers, lay hold of objects with dubious capacity to remain and move atop mass of water, and head for Europe.
Of course many die on their way to live. Lately, the number of African migrants who are all too willing to take the risk of their lives on the way to Lampedusa near Italy from Morocco enroute any part of Europe are in thousands.
 |
| Island of Lampedusa, Italy |
Undettered others take the Saharan routes sometimes carrying babies only a few days old, in their journey to properity, only to die in the desert with their young. The ever growing army of unemployed persons are ready to become slaves anywhere outside Nigeria, to be engines of cheap labour, happily.
Another slavery has taken a life of its own, centuries after the end of the one William Wilberforce fought against. A brand of human trafficking has crept on us, this time without force. Its self demanded.
Their lands hold no promise of life for them, though Africa is the most endowed in mineral resources of all continents. Poor leadership has been its own Tsunami, failing to make good the promise of good life to the people.
As slavery takes an incestuous dimension, will this generation rise to the challenge? Will we rise against the twin evil of corruption and poverty and give hope to all of God's people in Nigeria and Africa? Will we put an end to neo-African slavery?
Great Leadership holds the ace.
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