Leadership Crisis

NEED
Who will fill the vacuum, writes Zahid Samoon (Abraham)
Where have all our leaders gone? They sometimes appear to be an endangered species caught in a whirl of events and circumstances. Our quality of life depends on the quality of our leaders. As a person cannot function without a brain, so a society cannot function without leaders. A leader is always responsible for the effectiveness of organizations and institutions of the Nation. He always leads and motivates the nation towards a goal of prosperity. When we try to analyze any nation in the contemporary world, we usually judge that nation on the basis of the people who represent them. Here I am not talking about the people who govern a country but the people who represent a nation. They are the persons who act as a role model for their people. Leaders have always been a guide to take the nation out of ignorance and darkness towards glory and success. The History of Kashmir is replete with the leaders of high calibre who have inspired the people for ages. Although there is no dearth of talent and capability in our young generation, but what we lack is the proper guidance to tap that talent so that they are moulded into better leaders for future. Today Kashmir is facing the leadership crises. Genuine leadership is the need of the hour. The crisis of leadership in Jammu and Kashmir is proving to be the main stumbling block in the resolution of Kashmir Issue and other related issues. We need leaders of eminence and stature with a broad vision who can lead us in the right direction of prosperity and restore the past glory of Kashmir in every field. Presently the signs of a leadership crisis are alarming and persuasive. There is a widespread loss of faith in our major institutions, be it social or religious institutions. Incredible political and global changes are creating great confusion, and joblessness is playing havoc with the morals and innovative capabilities of our youth. But these dangers raise another, yet more urgent, threat: the failure of leadership to address these concerns. None of the other problems we face can be solved without effective leadership. It seems that there is an unconscious conspiracy to discourage and suppress genuine leadership. As a nation, and as individuals, we fear taking risks. The context of our work and personal lives reinforces a set of common values, attitudes and perceptions that discourages us from standing out in a crowd – and that calls for playing it safe. We believe in blaming others for our failures and setbacks. We try to see the negative side of everything, but don’t do a bit to rectify it. We blame others for our own suffering. Take the example of Dal Lake. Who is responsible for its present state? People need to wake up and start taking responsibility before it is too late. It is each individual’s responsibility to stand out in the crowd. At present no single leader can save the day. Truly successful leadership today requires team work, collaboration, diversity, innovation, and cooperation. I am calling for a continuum of leadership that includes indirect leadership exerted through support and networking. On that continuum, each of us can find a means of expressing ourselves. Each one of us is capable of creating ourselves as effective leaders. The learning process is one that includes self-critical examination, taking risks and then reaching goals. It also includes learning about the context that limits the full expression of leadership. This context is inherited from our youth and shapes our current view of ourselves. As long as it remains invisible to us, we cannot shift our thinking or our behavior to fill the leadership gap. If we really want to stand united and emerge as a prosperous nation, then we have to start working from the very basics. We have to change our modus operandi towards various things. So, take responsibilities and be leaders.
(The writer is from The Business School, University of Kashmir. Feedback at zahid_samoon2000@yahoo.co.in)