LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A GENERAL ELECTION

LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM A GENERAL ELECTION

In the old days in Europe, an aggrieved gentleman would challenge his opponent to a duel. In the Wild West, the draw would settle the score. In other places contests were settled by lot or coin toss. The logic of this is impossible to rationalize. In effect, the issue in question is taken out of context and is then settled by an irrelevant and irrational process. The wonder is that both parties are bound by an outcome that leaves one wounded or dead and the other rejoicing. However, the issue remains on the table. A general election is no less a duel. By agreeing to a duel, one is bound by the outcome as a matter of honor, not as matter of right, wrong or even justice. A general election is a duel.

The first leadership lesson is do not subject your well thought out ideas to a vote. A "vote" is a trick question with only a half chance of success. However, if you agree to a vote for the right reasons, you can be tricked by the wrong reasons. A vote is not a trial of sense it is a trial of strength. Elections are a democratic process to which an idea is subjected to "like" or "don't like". If your idea is right, it can be cunningly made to look unlikable or irrelevant. If the idea is wrong, but well packaged it could pass the test. General elections are not about current facts; they are about the future and dreams.  

The next challenge about general elections is that voters change every 5 years. The composite mass that will review your ideals will assess them using new lenses every five years. During a general election, you must latch onto the significant issue of the time. The significant n^th variable, that determines success, changes with time and may have nothing to do with the central, true or false ideas of the time. Elections are about numbers all you have to do is work out how to get enough of them.

Allan Bukusi