Dear Editor,
We live in a society where politicians are expected to shoulder the blame for all national ailments and opinion leaders are quick to say that the woeful state of affairs in Jamaica is due to poor leadership. However, we are wrong, because effective "followership" is critical to the success of every country. The theory of followership was conceptualised by Robert Kelley, who developed five followership patterns, the following two will be discussed:
The Sheep: These individuals are passive and require guidance from the leader. They lack the independent skills to hold leaders accountable.
Star Followers: This group consists of exemplary individuals who are positive, active and independent thinkers. Star Followers will carefully evaluate political pronouncements before accepting them as policy.
Most Jamaicans may be considered Sheep Followers, who subscribe to the mentality of the herd. This is the main difference between countries where good governance exists and those where only remnants of it can be found.
For example, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a transformational leader for Turkey. Under his stewardship, personal income in Turkey has doubled. And while most economies have contracted during the recessionary period, Turkey's economy grew by over 8 per cent in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Erdogan's budgetary allocation to education has been greater than his predecessors, and he boasts an impressive list of successful infrastructural projects.
Although, Mr Erdogan has made Turkey a better country, his shortcomings are still many, and the people of Turkey are not afraid to remind him that democracy is about the needs of everyone, not just his fan base. Erdogan's critics have accused him of encroaching on the rights of Turkish Secularists and stifling press freedom. Currently the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index ranks Turkey 154 out of 179 countries. Turkey reportedly also has more journalists in prison than any other country.
People will welcome good reforms, but it does not give leaders who implement these reforms the freedom to make themselves demi-gods. Effective followers will no longer tolerate them. Unfortunately, the behaviour of followers in Jamaica is in stark contrast to their Turkish counterparts. Successive administrations have signed contracts with foreign companies which are not in the best interest of Jamaicans. Of quick memory is the Government's contract with a US-based firm for the management of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will cost taxpayers $89 million if the Government ends the contract.
The people do not even understand when they are being disrespected by leaders. In Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff claimed that angry protesters have the right to voice their opinion, since it is a democracy. On the other hand, Portia Simpson Miller often bashes her critics. Clearly, Mrs Rousseff understands the meaning of people power.
Jamaicans must desert the Sheep mentality and become Star Followers, then we will begin to see good governance. We will require it.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Effective followers critical to success
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We live in a society where politicians are expected to shoulder the blame for all national ailments and opinion leaders are quick to say that the woeful state of affairs in Jamaica is due to poor leadership. However, we are wrong, because effective "followership" is critical to the success of every country. The theory of followership was conceptualised by Robert Kelley, who developed five followership patterns, the following two will be discussed:
The Sheep: These individuals are passive and require guidance from the leader. They lack the independent skills to hold leaders accountable.
Star Followers: This group consists of exemplary individuals who are positive, active and independent thinkers. Star Followers will carefully evaluate political pronouncements before accepting them as policy.
Most Jamaicans may be considered Sheep Followers, who subscribe to the mentality of the herd. This is the main difference between countries where good governance exists and those where only remnants of it can be found.
For example, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been a transformational leader for Turkey. Under his stewardship, personal income in Turkey has doubled. And while most economies have contracted during the recessionary period, Turkey's economy grew by over 8 per cent in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Erdogan's budgetary allocation to education has been greater than his predecessors, and he boasts an impressive list of successful infrastructural projects.
Although, Mr Erdogan has made Turkey a better country, his shortcomings are still many, and the people of Turkey are not afraid to remind him that democracy is about the needs of everyone, not just his fan base. Erdogan's critics have accused him of encroaching on the rights of Turkish Secularists and stifling press freedom. Currently the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index ranks Turkey 154 out of 179 countries. Turkey reportedly also has more journalists in prison than any other country.
People will welcome good reforms, but it does not give leaders who implement these reforms the freedom to make themselves demi-gods. Effective followers will no longer tolerate them. Unfortunately, the behaviour of followers in Jamaica is in stark contrast to their Turkish counterparts. Successive administrations have signed contracts with foreign companies which are not in the best interest of Jamaicans. Of quick memory is the Government's contract with a US-based firm for the management of the Montego Bay Convention Centre, which will cost taxpayers $89 million if the Government ends the contract.
The people do not even understand when they are being disrespected by leaders. In Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff claimed that angry protesters have the right to voice their opinion, since it is a democracy. On the other hand, Portia Simpson Miller often bashes her critics. Clearly, Mrs Rousseff understands the meaning of people power.
Jamaicans must desert the Sheep mentality and become Star Followers, then we will begin to see good governance. We will require it.
Lipton Matthews
lo_matthews@yahoo.com
Effective followers critical to success
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