Leadership Coach and Certified Management Consultant and Lecturer in the School of Education and Department of Government at UWI, Mona, Jamaica, Dr. Canute Thompson has called on leaders to show respect and listen to the people that they lead.
He was speaking at a two-day National Leadership Forum held at the Goodwill Parish Hall last week.
“If you want to show the people you lead that you respect them, listen to them,” Dr. Thompson said. “It doesn’t mean that you are going to agree with everything they say but at least, you need to have a sense of what they are trying to say.”
He said there may be differences of opinion and strong conversations but listening is a sign that the other person is worth something.
“Not just that what they have to say may be worthwhile, but affirming their worth by listening, and by listening, they are displaying respect,” he stated.
Dr. Thompson went on to say that whenever one gets it in their head that because he or she is the leader and can do as they like then that person, “has lost it.”
“You are accountable to the people you lead and every one of them have a right to ask you to explain your conduct.
Thompson also identified vision as another important element of leadership.
“Vision is central to who a person is, to what an organization might become and to the successes and achievements a country or society makes,” he explained. “Vision is really a glimpse of a greater light. Vision is a possibility of a future that is greater than where we currently are.”
The UWI lecturer indicated that if a person does not have a vision of the direction and destination in which he or she supposes to take the organization, then that person’s leadership lacks substance.
Dem so called UWI doctors are not recognized in America and the rest of the big world. How about that? Ask Francisco Telemacque.
“Where there is no vision, the people perish!” Proverbs 29:18, The Holy Bible.
Yet, most of them go to church every Saturday, Sunday or both days, but do not see this is clearly the case in the Commonwealth of Dominica today!
A real Dr has spoken but are the “mouton batallie” listening? Nope it’s what the DR/DR says that matters to his cult and Interlectualy dishonest followers; no wonder we are where we are and believe me it ain’t getting better.
Well you see that’s the issue, Skerrit has not been accountable to the electorate from day one. His blind followers were not interested as long as they got of few crumbs of the table. That’s why Skerrit could do as he pleased. But the air is thinner for him now and there is not much left from that carcass called Dominica. Result, all those previous ‘supporters’ are starting to leave the sinking ship.
Sir I suppose that you are a real doctor and I ask please that you go speak to the fake doctor who leads our nation. A fake doctor who every 6 months has investors for an international airport and ross univeristy replacement. As i look at comments on Facebook I am baffled by contributors like melo mills who is supposedly an educator who allow a man to convince her with lies every 6 months. Shame!
The minister of education looks like he is not paying attention. Its good to see someone who doesn’t have a political adgenda give a speech on exactly the reason some of us have been asking for new direction in our country. Our leader thinks he can do what he wants and has displayed lack of vision after 20 years, 15 of which he is PM. He has lost it. Disregard for the rules of his own party and country. If these stogies sitting there dont get the message then they should not be running education dept. The people run things. They have the vote and so the leadership has to answer to the people. Skerrit has to account for the 100mil drom Venezuela, the balance of kalinago funds, and all the passport sales, agents and discrepancies.
Was the Forum open to the public, and if so, was there a prior press announcement about the event?
I support the statements by Dr Canute Thomson..But can we say that the leadership in Dominica is either listening or has vision of where to take the country?
“The UWI lecturer indicated that if a person does not have a vision of the direction and destination in which he or she supposes to take the organization, then that person’s leadership lacks substance.” Thanks much Dr. Thompson, we have been saying so of our failed Prime Minister now for 19years. The office of Prime Minister, held currently by this failed PM Skerrit is has lacl substance and innovation and has become a fanfare that “We love our Pm”. Going about the island distributing cash to people who are jobless and in poverty is an abuse and taking advantage of the vulnerable of these people who has been ignored since Skerrit came into Office. Skerrit is a failure and this concept of politics that your lecture on, Skerrit is not close to be able to understand, listen and or comprehend the bigger picture of being involved in one of th highest office to demonstrate decency that is why he has failed us and why we need him out of office ASAP. He must not be followed, he must Go…
Was Skerrit in the audience? I truly hope so. Dr. Canute was precisely on point. No man, no matter how intelligent, has a monopoly on wisdom. You learn mostly by observing, listening, reading and experimenting. Skerrit is self-opinionated, obdurate, haughty and visionless, characteristics not befitting a good leader. The man has an eggshell ego that is easily bruised. A good leader is humble but decisive, he listens, consults, delegates, friendly but firm. He is also tactful and does not berate nor victimize others for their opinions. Dominica is not in last place by accident. It is bereft of modernity because of lack of wise leadership for the past two decades. Where wisdom is lacking, everything else is lacking. Among the DLP leadership, common sense is not so common. The caliber of persons that has seized power over this beleaguered party leaves much to be desired.