Why leadership in Nepal is relevant in today’s Scenario

In the past few months, there has been a to much discussion in the national media. All about an acute need for an alternative ‘political’ force in Nepal. I am encouraged by this intellectual discourse which surely will help build 21st century relevant leaders for Nepal. Thank you everyone who have consistently kept this important agenda into the limelight.

2 years ago, Nepal was going through a tumultuous period. A syndicate of incompetent political parties who had little will or vision were taking turns ruling Nepal. Bitter political wrangling topped as acute corruption was rapidly dismantling any good governance we had left. All of a sudden, Nepal’s constitution building body was abruptly dissolved, leaving behind a power vacuum with a deeply divided society.

At such crucial times, many Nepalese from different professions and backgrounds came together and started searching for an answer to this “What Next?” We publicly brainstormed for 22 continuous weeks taking feedbacks from more than a 1,000 concerned Nepalese from all walks of life. Students, house-wives, CEOs, teachers, social workers, businesswomen, everyone had one consistent advice for us. “Only a 21st century relevant leadership carrying political force would end this ever-growing crisis and help bring about lasting positive transformation for Nepal.

It is identified todays leadership values/traits a political force should have to lead us to a prosperous Nepal within a generation.

1.     Results oriented pragmatic: A political force has to be simply results-oriented, with an evolving, pragmatic philosophy to help meet that. Its foundation would rest on at least these eight 21st century basic values; responsibility, accountability, prosperity, empowerment, freedom, diversity, servant government and pragmatism.

2.     Follow the middle path (balance): This progressive force follows a middle path whereby on one hand, it inspires citizens to be responsible while simultaneously builds systems to hold leaders accountable. It plays a delicate balancing act by enabling citizens to become the agents of prosperity while also building a servant government system that guarantees public welfare for those in need.

3.     Moderate views: This moderate force has a leadership that prescribes balanced, pragmatic solutions to keep this country united and progressive.

4.     Systematized: In Nepal, the crux of the problem lies not in a person but in their system (culture). Hence this political force will rely upon an effective system and not on individual charismatic leaders.  Its structure is made of 3 parallel ‘check and balance’ systems; the legislature, executive and judiciary. Just like an effective 21st century democratic government. The legislature is made of politicians who want to get in to government to rule (like any traditional political party). The executive has managers and experts who professionally manage the organization efficiently and transparently. The judiciary has those whose primary goal is to keep up discipline, protect the values (culture) and the constitution of the organization at all costs. These 3 wings independently and inter dependently work with each other to check and balance each other. This ‘check and balance’ system makes this political force run accountably, transparently and effectively.

5.     Self-reliant members: The primary reason Nepal’s current political forces are corrupt and thus inept is because their members (cadres) are often reliant upon others for their daily livelihood. This problem has to be tackled at its roots. That is why any 21st century relevant political force has to make sure its members become self-reliant by being entrepreneurial or self-employed, or simply employed. This way, the party members do not have to compromise on their ideals and values because of their family’s livelihood concerns.

6.     Meritocratic leadership building system: It consistently trains and produces leaders who not only know how to get elected but also how to consistently deliver once they are in the government. The leaders produced will be skilled at creating win-win environments. Their contributions are calculated on the basis of their merits and judged using scientific performance measurement systems.

7.     Transparent: It will be a model of transparency for others. From fund-collection to expenses to decisions, it will inject transparency into every level of its system.

8.     Regular leadership change (regular power fluidity): In the end, absolute power and position corrupts absolutely. That is why an alternate political force has to build a system that regularly and consistently filters its leadership.

9.     Youth centric: Youths will make the bulk of this political force. And thus it will be led by youthful leadership who will enthusiastically spread its core values to all corners.

In conclusion, the end goal of any political force who wants to stay relevant in 21st century Nepal should be to build a peaceful, prosperous Nepal within our life-time.