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Letter to Political Leaders

Apr 25, 2012 Letters

 

 

Dear Editor,
I have been paying extremely keen attention to this year’s budget debate in and out of the National Assembly; and I must say, for many of us, it  is stimulating great interest. However, I wish to make the following observation and caution.
There is a theory in Groups Dynamics which proposes four fundamental stages of groups, teams, partnerships, alliances, etc. These stages are Forming, Storming, Norming and Performing. While this article would not allow me to address the details of these stages; I think the current Parliament and perhaps the Budget Debate process, is in its forming and storming stages.
However, our leaders cannot afford to lose control at this stage; even of their emotions. We are an intelligent people and we understand what is happening but they have to hold it together; think long and hard; negotiate; compromise; even fight a little – some of that is allowable; and continue to keep us informed, we appreciate this process.  Nevertheless, one word of caution; pay attention to your emotional sustainability.
While some amount of aggression in the debate is acceptable in the National Assembly, when they speak to the press or through the press, they could be passionate but yet sustain their emotions, particularly when dealing with such sensitive issues.
Bearing that in mind, the country is not in election mode; where the focus is on convincing the citizenry to vote one way or the other but rather we are now focusing on managing the business of the nation.
Budget debate is serious business. Issues are being discussed and ventilated. These issues affect the lives of citizens in profound ways, so they have to mange this process very, very carefully. As leaders, you have to help the nation to sustain its emotions too. So please manage the process of disseminating information very carefully and professionally.
I am almost tempted to write, ‘and in a responsible manner too’, but I have decided against it. You are all responsible leaders.
Just a bit on emotional sustainability: It is displayed by leaders  when they are able to benefit from conflict, consistently stay engaged and positive, and know how to ride the waves of change. Some leaders have the courage to frequently listen to themselves and others, reflect on what they hear and be responsive because they value relationships and the process. I think that we are seeing some of this in the back and forth meetings between government and opposition – the parties are listening, engaging each other, even entertaining each other at times and there is some amount of compromise and tolerance too. And this is great!  As a people we are taking note and we are analysing  too.
Emotional sustainability also refers to the skills of leaders in listening on a consistent basis (as in the case of the budget debate) but still demonstrating individual and team emotional intelligence so that those impacted by decisions – the nation; can relax and trust because they know that the leaders  and the process – the budget debate; are anchored in a cohesive and respectful engagement.
I sincerely hope that this Parliament and the result of the  2012 budget debate will progress to the third and fourth stages as mentioned above.
However, this will require a high degree of emotional sustainability in leadership at various levels and will augur well for our continuous growth and  development. It will also help to build the resilience of various sections and groups of the society and foster long-lasting endurance and responsive engagement.
Audreyanna Thomas

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