Youngstars Foundation

Although there has not been a single and universally accepted definition of leadership, it is however important to know that the relevance of leadership can hardly ever be over emphasized. It is crystally clear that in every field of human endeavour, leadership is of immense importance. It is almost everything because without it, failure becomes inevitable.

In simple terms, leadership according to David Hakala is ones ability to get others to willingly follow.

Here are qualities and values my president in 2011 must have and why:

PASSION: My president in 2011 must have passion for this country at heart. Someone who is both seriously hungry and thirsty for the country’s progress. My president must be someone with a dream and vision that will bring about the desired changes and which will make this country much better than what it is.

The reason why I want a president with passion is that, with passion he/she will be able to make necessary courageous and difficult decisions and carry them into actions. The only way we can have a Nigeria of our dream is to have a leaders who can make those necessary courageous and difficult decisions needed and carry them into actions.

VISION: My president in 2011 must have a mental picture of how the country should look like in the nearest future. He/she must have a clear vivid picture of where to lead this blessed country to as well as a firm grasp of what success is like and how to achieve it. In addition to being visionary, he/she (my president in 2011) must be able to communicate his/her vision effectively to cause Nigerians buy in to it. My president in 2011 must have the discipline to work towards his or her vision single-mindedly, as well as to direct his or her actions and those of the team towards the goal. Action is the mark of a leader. A leader does not suffer “analysis paralysis” but is always doing something in pursuit of the vision, inspiring others to do the same. That is the kind of president I want in 2011.

Reason why I want a visionary president is that, vision does not only give you a sense of direction but gives a leader an idea about changes that are necessary and the challenges to expect along the way.

CONFIDENCE AND HUMILITY: In addition to passion and vision, my president in 2011 must possess confidence and humility as a person. This is because confidence will allow him/her to take those necessary actions that will bring about desired changes. Humility on the other hand is necessary because no matter how creative and bright a leader is, often, the best ideas and thinking are going to come from someone else. The president that I want in 2011 must be someone who is able to identify that and have good people around who can who have those ideas.

My reason for this is that, even with great ideas for change, if one is not confident, then actions will not occur and leaders who lack humility as a quality often fail to succeed.

INTEGRITY: My president in 2011 must be a person of integrity, someone who can be trusted and someone that is honest in all his/her dealings. Someone with predictable reactions, well controlled emotions and with absence of harsh outbursts. These are what integrity entails.

My president must possess this quality because a leader who is centred in integrity will be more approachable by followers. This is important as it will enable well meaning individuals (Nigerians) to make meaningful contributions necessary for desired change.

DEDICATION: In 2011, I want a president who is capable of spending whatever time, energy and resources necessary to accomplish a given task. Someone who inspires dedication by example, doing whatever it takes to complete the next step towards his/her vision.

The reason why I want my president to possess this quality in 2011 is that, dedicated leaders set excellent examples to followers to achieve something great.

CHARISMA: My president in 2011 must be likeable. Respect is very important at any level of leadership position. My president must have a magnetic personality and the ability to inspire others. This is a tremendous asset as it will enable him/her win the hearts of the people and the friendship of other nations.

CREATIVITY: This is the ability to think differently and my president in 2011 must be a person who is capable of thinking and seeing things that others have not seen and thus lead this nation in new directions.

This is necessary because followers will have full confidence in such a leader to provide solutions in tough times and periods of challenges.

FAIRNESS: Most of our Nigerian past and present leaders lack this quality and it is a serious challenge which demands quick intervention. The problem is, people are hardly judged on merits instead, most Nigerian leaders pass judgements based on religious or ethnic backgrounds which is another reason why Nigeria is not making progress as a nation. In 2011, I want a president who will treat every Nigerian as a Nigerian and not based on ethnic or religious background and emphasize strict penalties for other Nigerian leaders that are defaulters. I want a president who is consistently and justly fair in his/her judgements.

The reason why I want this quality in my president in 2011 is that, when Nigerians feel they are being treated fairly, such a president will be rewarded with loyalty and dedication.

ASSERTIVENESS: This is simply a leaders’ ability to clearly state what he expects (and accepts nothing less) so that there will be no misunderstandings.

Many leaders have difficulties tricking the right amount of assertiveness, according to a study in the February 2007 issue of the journal of personality and psychology, published by the American Psychological Association. The study reveals that, being underassetive or overassertive may be the most common weakness among many aspiring leaders. My president in 2011 must be able to strike a balance between the two and in addition, he/she must also know clearly what Nigerians expect from him/her.

ABSOLUTE ZERO TOLERANCE FOR CURRUPTION: In 2011, my president must be someone with an absolute zero tolerance for corruption. Someone that will put in strict measures to check corruption from the entire system. This is very important as corruption has eaten deep into the system and the number one cause of the nation’s stunted growth and lack of development.

In conclusion, my president in 2011 must promise a government as it should be: open, accountable, principled and forward looking just to mention a few. He/she must be champion of equity and social justice, someone who is uncommonly courageous, loyal to principles over politics. He/she must be a leader not only of those who voted him/her but to every Nigerian. My president in 2011 must be a patriot and a true citizen of the world, someone who is willing to ask more of the Nigerian people and also not afraid to be asked more by the Nigerian people. If we are to have a Nigeria of our dream, a Nigeria which both our children and childrens’ children would be proud of, then this is the kind of president we need in 2011.