THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE PRETTY-WHY THE BAHAMAS NEEDS SUBSTANCE OVER IMAGE

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Perry Christie, Hubert Ingraham and Branville McCartney

The founding of a third major political party has created an interesting dilemma for the Bahamian electorate as another General Election approaches. As a three way head-to-head-to-head battle looms between the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), the incumbent governing party, the Free National Movement (FNM) and the party of legacy in the Bahamas, the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), it is clear that the Bahamian electorate is faced with a stark choice between contrasting leadership style and issues for the first time in its independent history.

In this Blog, I will explore the contrasts that exists between the three leadership styles and approaches and highlight the respective strengths and weaknesses, from what we, the voters, see, read and hear, I have being considering how easily the three potential leaders could be contrasted for a while but have been forced to compile some thoughts now, given the article by The Tribune’s phantom meddler, a certain ‘John ‘the Jackass’ Marquis’. Back to him in a while, but in the meantime, I will paint three leadership images and then as you point, I will whistle at the end of each one.

The first image involves a certain “GOOD leadership style” that is inclusive and participative. This style epitomizes our first leadership Candidate, who is well-known for his calm disposition and equanimity, which has been (wrongly) taken as a sign of weakness but has been known to be forthright if the situation demands it. He generally invites discussion and considers the views of his followers, whom he treats like grown-ups. His trusting style involves including one or more colleagues in the decision making process, although he maintains the final decision making authority. His style engenders the respect of his colleagues and followers because it demonstrates the trust and ease with which he empowers those around him to share in decisions. He understands that a single individual cannot do everything, so he sets priorities and delegates’ tasks accordingly and applies the correct leadership approach to the correct situation. Who are you pointing at as I whistle gently, but robustly?

The second image involves a certain “BAD leader” who has become famous (or should I say infamous) for his oppressive approach to leading. He his prune to outburst, sometimes in public, and is not averse to shutting down the members and of his innermost circle when ‘they get out of hand’. Individualism and creativity are suppressed, so the only thing that emerges from his party are edicts and proclamations from himself, much like the Roman Emperors of old. He discourages decisions and lacks respects for and instills fear in party colleagues and followers. He is unapologetic about his ‘Master slave’ approach and seems to revel in the fear he creates. In fact, from time to time his followers seem complicit in his actions, either paralyzed by fear of rendered silent by ‘shock and awe,’ this is the shocking and awful behavior of their leader. Bad leaders tend to stick to one style, and seem incapable of varying their leadership approach, which they apply to every situation. Yes indeed, B.A.D. – Brash- Authoritarian  and Demanding. Who are you pointing at as I whistle loudly and brashly?

The last image involves an emergent “PRETTY leader” who has no definable leadership style. We have relatively little about this potential leader, but if the early reports are to be believed, he craves power and nay even be competent to hold it. As the opposite gender reminds us, he is ‘easy on the eyes’ but as like-minded friends reminds me, he has ne definable leadership style or perceivable qualities. He suffered under a bad leader, but was capable of extricate himself. So we must give him credit for this effort to escape oppression. He appears to lack imagination and creativity, which is possibly the result of his years of being oppressed and the only things that have emerged so far from his party have been repetitions of the past leader’s vision. Some people think he is merely a reflection of another party and style but he still has time to establish to his leadership credentials and define a style and approach. At the moment he is PRETTY, alright … PRETTY unimaginative.. PRETTY uncreative and PRETTY visionless. Who are you pointing at as you whistle and stop, whistle and stop because I am unsure of the tune ? Who are you pointing at ?

As I mentioned at the start, the founding of a third major political party has created an interesting dilemma for the Bahamian electorate. The impending three-way battle between the DNA (‘Do Nuttin’ Alliance’), the FNM (Free National Mess) and the party og legacy in The Bahamas the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) lays bare the choices we face. We are at the cross-roads of our independent existence and can opt to stay with tried, but ineffective leadership or revert to a substantive and effective style. It is my view that we should be seduced by images over substance, nor compelled to go back to an inappropriate style that has run its course and has well exceeded its retirement date. We need a leader who has substance, quality and vision, not to mention experience. Both you and I know there’s only one choice from the three described above !

Back to The Tribune and its officious phantom meddler, a certain John ‘the jackass’ Marquis. Several things I would say about this character. First, he is meddlesome and has no right to interfere with the democratic process of our independent country and one of which he is not a part. Having relocated to his home country, the U.K. (United Kingdom) he might be better minded to turn his pen to the advanced corruption that is sweeping his country at the moment and try to figure who paid whom for what. Second, his thoughts are uninteresting, unfair and unbalanced, so they are not welcomed and neither is he. Finally, if this ‘Butt-plug’ (Marquis) really wants to contribute something of value, he would explore the ‘BAD’ leadership style outlined above and pass comments on that and perhaps why after having retired, this leader was brought back. Be gone you meddlesome officious buttinsky, take your thoughts somewhere else – they are not welcome in The Bahamas.

J.Maxfield Outten

27 COMMENTS

  1. I do not claim to be a great writer, but please guys, hire an editor or two because this article is littered with unforgivable errors. In addition, not only is Outten bias, his writing style is reminiscent of a dyslexic five year old with ADD (and I feel I insult the dyslexic and ADD community more than anything here).

  2. Another bunch of gibberish rifed with PLPism.Perry Christie will never be the the kind of leader Hubert Ingrham is or for what its worth Branville Mcartney aspires to be

    • No Christie ain’t ga ever be like PAPA and BRAN!

      – PAPA and Bran together taxed the holy Bible in 2008.

      – In 2009 Papa and Bran agreed to borrow millions to build road and import Chinese Labour.

      – Papa and Branville waged an ungoldly war on the Bahamian labour force when they raised taxes on LIGHT, FUEL, NATIONAL INSURANCE, and committed a backside rape on the poor by increasing taxes on cars up to 80% in 2010!

      IN 2011 Branvillle McCartney told Jeff Lloyd, Hubert Ingraham is the best man for the leadership of the country in these times. HE SAID THAT less then five months ago! They are one in the same FAILURES!!!

      Perry Christie will never be the kind of leader Hubert Ingraham and Branville McCartney has displayed to the Bahamas! The FNM and by extension its DNA has failed the Bahamas!

      BP

    • PERRY MIGHT TAKE LONG TO DO STUFF , BUT REMEMBER HE THAT WAITS ON DIRECTIONS FROM THE LORD IS FULL OF WISDOM . INGRAHM ON THE OTHER HAND IS PERSUMPTIOUS , RUDE ,FULL OF LIES AND DONT GIVE A DARN ABOUT ANY OF US . SO PRATTY OPEN YA DARN EYES , OR BETTER YEY DRINK SO COFFEE CAUSE YA SLEEPIN . AND BRANS WAS BROUGHT UP BY INGRAHM ADMINISTRATION , SO WHAT THE HELL HE NO OTHER THAN KEEP THE PEOPLE POOR , DUMB AND IGNORANT . YOU BETTER LEARN TO PRAY

  3. in politic there no such thing as nice leaders look at every country it all about their egos come on people do what you have to do for your families and let them be they all dont give one shit if you live or die. reach out for Jesus man no way, when will we learn that

  4. Come the results of the 2012 General Elections night, I don’t believe too many Bahamians will be weeping for either one of these three party leaders.
    Regardless of how the votes turn out, all three of these men will do well financially. I wish i could say the same for the rest of us Bahamians.

  5. Sad to say no one has ever developed the ” perfect” leadership style. What has however been proved over time is that there are certain personal traits which determines whether a person will be successful or not as a leader. Even if a person has these traits, his style must be in step with his or her environment. As an example, Winston Churchill was the perfect wartime leader because he made decisions and saw the “bigger” picture. But, once the war was over he was voted out of office because what was needed to rebuild Britain was a more reflective long time leader.None of the current leaders in my opinion can see beyond each election. If they could, the Bahamas would not be in the mess it is today. I think that it is disgraceful that after all of these years “dumb” politicians has so intimidated our young, prospective leaders that they will accept anyone who claims to be a leader even if that politician has only recycled the thoughts and philosophy of another.Its no surprise that we have a crime problem and other social ills that are taking us under. Politicians have for years excluded the very persons who can help us rebuild the Bahamas and, if we do not wake up and use our Bahamian professionals,2012 will be even worse that this year!

  6. So what happened to Paul Moss? Is Bran causing so much stir that you have to put him in the mix and leave out Paul Moss?

  7. media….. the Bahamas needs new blood, that means no one from yesteryear, it’s a given the American’s have one of the best political systems around, no one can govern more that 8 years, in addition to that after 2 terms what can anyone serving 8 years bring to the table, my guess is re-hashed same old same old. One of the benefits of growing older is you have seen so many times what a has-been’s can do to a country, living in Canada I have seen what successive Liberal Governments have done, one scandal after another, just like the FNM and PLP have and will do, it’s time to give some new blood a chance, McCartney isn’t you answer, he been around way past his use before date and so has Ingraham and Christie, one will say what happens if we elect a dud, well, next election throw the bums out, new blood, need so badly, need soon.

    • McCartney is the FNM! Dr. johnathan Rodgers is a HARDCORE FNM! How you think they name the party the DNA?

      BP

    • TO K4C , THE BIBLE SAY YOUNG MAN I CALL YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE STRONG AND OLD MAN BECAUSE YOU ARE WISE . SO YOU BETTER BE TALKIN ABOUT OLD NEW BLOOD , WHO COULD TEACH SOMETHING FROM THEIR WISDOM

  8. bahamians een ga stop tel this country reach to a all time low and can’t recover back before they see that there is only one leader at this time that can take this country and put it back on track but most bahamians like bad treatment they don’t want a nice leader with a vision they want someone to do just what being done right know not chit!!! most bahamians want a man who come home and bust they ass then say honey i sorry give me another five years this time i wil focus on you……

  9. Very well put together, this country needs new leadership into a gobalization where each voice is heard..lets move forward,upward and Together.

  10. mr outten this observation is so true of the three leadership style, if only we as a people can open our eyes and see the leaders for who they realy are. this country will be better off.

  11. I do think Perry Christie is well intentioned but if you ever had to lead a group, the first thing you learn is that consensus is the weakest form of decision making. I was involved with a union several years ago and anytime consensus was needed it was almost always tedious and mind numbing. Leaders are elected to lead not to build consensus. You can not be afraid to make a decision. I maintain that you can learn from a “bad decision” but you can not learn from a “no decision”.

    • i going with perry and the PLP ALL THE WAY. Bran and the dna wat eva needs to be more open, an stop copying and stop dreaming, cause i believe they are all still FNM…..come Papa ring the BELL NOW!
      we ready now

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