It's Time for Leadership Beyond the Leader

 

The performance of the second generation post-colonial amalgam of modern nation administrations in Africa was tied to the experiential reality of its leaders rather than the institutional capacity of its polity. Each leader believed they were better than the former and certainly superior than the other leaving little room for the wisdom of consensus to emerge on any matter under the sun. This meant that the potential of these nations always remained greater than their performance.

This may be a good sign though, in that leadership in Africa, can only improve as demanded by its polity over time. Indeed, in another two generations it may seem quite odd that leadership in African ever displayed the political morass that is perhaps characteristic of  the present. A great hope, but a good hope nonetheless.

As both the empowerment and expectations of the people buoy each other in voice, deed and increasing demand, leadership will be forced to deliver higher levels of institutional performance rather than depend on the fragility of its leaders. This is leadership beyond the leader. Depending on the fragility of the person rather than the purpose and function of the position is bound to be a disappointing show in the short run and an ill-advised choice in the long run.

Allan Bukusi