|  Leadership of exuberance
and 2020 economic relevance
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Cletus Olebune
courtesy of nel-mag.org
Leadership of exuberance:
Lacks substance and quality
Showcases selfishness and lacks in intelligentsia strategic leadership development that move organizations and societies in growth directions.
Is Scramble for Leadership.
All roads to 2020 economic relevance will be doable, if we know what encompasses the Cap. In essence, what are the constraints and limitations as we go forward? Understanding what’s in the cap is kind of like knowing that, it is raining, and being able to put on a rain suite. It doesn’t mean that it’s not raining outside, it just means that I might not get as wet. Leadership of exuberance will tell you that, I will stop the rain with the first step into the rain. In my own humble opinion, I will say, don’t believe the exuberance.
Scramble Leadership is not a developmental leadership. It is void of strategies, and full of personifications. One can slice it anyway he or she wants, the point is that economic growth is very much dependent on quality leadership that understands the global economic trend and where an organization or a nation fits in, and plan accordingly.
With all the talk and exuberance of 2020, we should neither substitute quality leadership in public sector with the leadership of exuberance, nor with leadership in the private business sector. Leadership in business sector is very dynamic, responsive and constantly measuring the bottom line – the financial. Although, one may argue to the effect of the importance of increasing foreign reserve; which makes a lot of sense, if the increase in foreign reserve is paralleled with developing a great nation. Great in the sense that all the various aspects of an organization or a nation are carried along.
It is important that as we focus on measuring the easy quantifiable, such as foreign reserve, that we have a way of measuring the not so easy measurable quantifiable, such as how many people were moved out off poverty into middle class; number of people whose health have improved, as result of improved environmental health; how many non-petroleum products were exported; how many manufacturing facilities there are, how these facilities have effected increase in jobs for college graduates; and others. Being able to keep these measurable will provide a better picture in 2020 as whether we were able to meet the goal of economic relevance. In essence, we must be able to create a multiple measures of success.
If 2020 economic relevance has become the brand, then a momentum should be built around it. The momentum cannot just be increasing a single measurable, but those mentioned above and others. Building momentum requires that the brand is made strong by excellent reputation in the sense of all hands on the deck.
Getting to 2020 economic relevance requires a sense of legislative leadership and shared leadership interest, which does require diffused economic power structure at different levels of an organization. But first, getting the right people into these various levels means getting people who see beyond their noses, and letting go of those who see within their noses. Getting the right people means getting people who are passionate about economic relevance, people who think about what best they can give to the organization or their communities.
In my rain analogy above, it is important to remember that although, there is a rainy environment/situation, the willingness to put on a rain suit indicates that, it’s not the environment that matters most but the will towards excellence. “Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice and discipline” – Collins in his book: Good to Great.
As we strive for economic relevance in 2020 with extraordinary optimism. Yes, optimism! Because, if I ordered pounded yam and egusi soup, that is what I expect to get. If I put all my energy in climbing a mango tree, I expect to pluck a mango fruit and not an orange. My being able to pluck a mango fruit requires that I recognize the roots that hold the stem, branches, leaves, and the fruit that I am about to enjoy. Also, of importance is recognizing the baby mango trees within the same environment. Recognizing these untapped fortunes that lie at the bottom of the enormous mango tree means that in 2020 there will be many more mangos reaching for the stars.
Exuberance as good as it may be in optimism, need not be filled with the euphoria of walking on water. After a recent snowstorm, I saw teenagers walking on iced up lake, and adults ice fishing, in the country town where I live in New Jersey; I thought of the risk, and what these people will do, if the ice gave up. This was not the first time I witnessed this. I once saw teenagers walk on iced up lake at the finger lakes in Syracuse, New York. But as much fun as this activity could be, I have not yet muscled up the courage to walk on icy water. May be, some day I will just do that — walk on iced up water, without thinking about what is below. Hey, I can swim, but I have not swam in frigid water before. The last time I check, I am still a homoiothermal (warm-blooded) creature. I might as well let my willingness to override the environment, and dive right into frigid water; if the icy water cracks up, I can navigate my way out. Taking risk is an opportunity to discover, but discovering in risk taking means knowing the dangers that lie ahead – this is what entrepreneurs do, taking calculated risks in the face of the unknown. Achieving 2020 economic relevance, requires that we take calculated risks in ensuring presence of quality leadership.
As we match towards 2020, it is important that we learn that the hubris of unbounded optimism can drive sub-optimal choices. For those who have gone mountain climbing, it is always cautioned by the guide, that you take greatest care upon summiting, when the thrill of conquest can cloud good judgment. As the foreign reserves keeps growing, and the 2007 general elections (first Nigeria’s civilian-to-civilian transition) are days away, it is important to be mindful of irrational exuberance in leadership of which ever government that may come to power, and not forget that the common goal is building momentum towards 2020 economic relevance. The 2020 economic brand is bigger than any individual, and any individual in contrary to this has the spirit of euphemism, and we should question the person’s mental ability to lead the momentum.
As apolitical organization, Nigerian Entrepreneurial Leadership supports individuals that are more concerned with incorporating what it will take to ensure that the country stays on a predictable path toward 2020 economic relevance – a 24-hour economy. With the increasing numbers of “economic born-again”, and awareness of entrepreneurship in the air, 2020 can become a reality. The key is to find as few demons as possible, and as many dreams as possible along the road leading to the year 2020.
Cletus E. Olebunne
Executive Director
NEL.
March
2007
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Together we can build a nation where its economic strength is comparable to its individual citizen's capabilities. A 2020 Nigeria economy where manufacturing is the driving force. We are always glad to hear from you.
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:
Cletus E. Olebunne, Is the Executive Director of Nigerian Entrepreneurial Leadership (www.nel-m.org ) An accomplished scientist, and entrepreneur in the global healthcare product distribution. He is the founder of Eastern Pharmaceuticals (www.easternpharmaceuticals.com), a global distributor of healthcare products based in New Jersey. An active member of Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS), the global pharmaceutical regulatory body, the American Chemical Society, and the American Management Association (AMA).
The NEL organization seeks to:
1 Support and promote a community of entrepreneurs
2 Promote public understanding of manufacturing entrepreneurship
3 Promote and enhance the role models that reflect the ideals of manufacturing entrepreneurship
4 Be the source for information about best practices in business leadership.
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