SIMIYU: Rules of avoiding disappointments in politics

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Here are five cardinal rules of avoiding disappointments in politics

1. Recognisethatpoliticsisdrivenbyinterests

Theinterestsgenerallycoverthewholegamutofpowerarchitectureincludinghowto acquire power, protect power,retain powerandusepowerorproximitytopower to determinepolicy,definepriorities,directstrategyanddistributeresourcestocreatea lasting impact in the community and enhance the capacity of the leaders, their families,friendsandassociatesinmanaging powerequationsinperpetuity.

Aclosestudyoffamilieswieldingpoliticalpoweralwaysshowstwoothersourcesof power, namely, business and religion. You will find someone in thefamily driving religiouspower,anotheroneinthebusinessspaceandanotheroneinpoliticalspace.

These three work together infamilies toensure eternal relevance and astrong hold on power and influence acrossgenerations. If you have notdone itasafamily then youmayconsiderallocatingthesethreeroles.Thefoundationofleadership isspiritual; itisfunded bybusiness and operatesaspolitics.Whoisyourspiritual leader?

2. Define and clarify your own interests

Why are you in the political space? Unless you answer that question, you will be a frustrated person,beingtossedfromonesidetoanotherbyeverypoliticalwave,like clouds without water.Where does your interest lie in the power architecture continuum right from how to acquire power, protect power, retain power and use powerorproximitytopowertodetermine policy,definepriorities,directstrategyand distribute resources tocreate a lasting impact in thecommunity?

Howdoyouintendtoutilisepoweroryourproximitytopowertoinfluenceyourown developmentandwell-being,thatofyourownfamily,friends,associates,community and nation at large?

Sometimes involvement in politics is not so that we get employmentorwingovernment tendersorevenbecomefriendswiththosethathelp put in power but that they govern sowell that they transform the communities and nation.

Our personal interests therefore must not contradict but complement the quest for the common good of better governance for transformed communities and nation.

Equally ourquest for the common good of better governance for transformed communitiesandnationmustnotbeattheexpenseofourpersonalinterests,including personalwell-beingincludingeconomicandsocialempowerment.

Donotparticipate in political processes in which you come away bruised, abandoned and disempowered.

3. Respect other leaders' personal interests

Ifitisokforustopursueourowninterests,whyisitwrongforotherleaderstopursue their own interests? Why should our interests be right and other leaders'interests be wrong?If is ok for us to seekto utilize power or our proximity to power to influence our own development and well-being, that of our own family, friends, associates,communityandnationatlarge,whywoulditbewrongforotherstopursue theirs?

Itisimportant therefore that asleaders we respect other leaders'personal political interests and wish them well in their quest without being condescending.This is especiallycriticalwithteamsthatweworkwithortheonesthatwemayhaveworked withbeforebutwhomaybemakingcareerchoiceswhichnecessitatetransitionsfrom our teams either temporarily or permanently.

However, exit interviews should be conducted in order to assess the quality and strengthen HR systems around leaders. Many leadersaregood at big picture issues buttheyarepoormanagersofhumanresources.

Frequent attritionsinwhichpeople leaveleaderscouldbeastrongindicatorofpoorleadership.Goodleadersattractand empowerpeople around them inevergrowing circles.

4. Put in place a plan to pursue your interests

Havingestablishedwhereyourinterestsliewithinthepowerarchitecturecontinuum rightfromacquiringpower,toprotectingpower,retainingpowerandusingpoweror using proximity to power to determine policy, define priorities, direct strategy and distributeresourcestocreatealastingimpactinthecommunity,wenowneedaplan.

Whatroadmapshouldyouuseinordertopursueyourinterests?Shouldyousupport others or pursue a political seat yourself? Which one? Presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, MP,WR,MCA?Thisrequiresconsultationsandearly preparation.

Ifyouaretosupportsomeoneelse,whatisyourvalueproposition?Whatvotetargets doyou bringonthetableandinexchangeforwhat?Whatcharacteristicsofaleader doyoulookforbeforeyoumakethisdecision?

Generally,therearefivekeyqualities tolookat,namely:thepersonalintegrityoftheleadertohonourpledges,willingness of theleadertoholdyour hand, the proximity thattheleader hastopower,thelevel of influence that the leader has been allowed to wield and whether the leader perceives you to bean asset or aliability in the leader’sfuture.

Shouldyoutakechargeofapolitical partyandcontrol howpoliticsisplayed? Political partiesarestrategicvehiclesthroughwhichtoacquireandconsolidatepoliticalpower buttheyneeddynamic leadership,stronggovernancearchitectureandrobustfunding mechanism.

Ultimately, your progress inthe pursuit of your interests willdepend very much on how you exert yourself, the investment that you make and the cost that you pay.

Sometimesyouwillhavetobeafooland takeonmuchflak,misrepresentation,and misunderstandinginordertostayoncourse,alwayshonouringthosewhohavestood withyou insummer timeandinwinter of your life.

5. Identify points of partnership and collaborations

Having developed a plan for pursuing your interests within thepower architecture continuum right from acquiring power, to protecting power, retaining power and usingpowerorusingproximitytopowertodeterminepolicy,definepriorities,direct strategy and distribute resources to create a lasting impact in the community, you needpartnerships andcollaborations,youcannot succeed alone inpolitical space.

You needtobetalkingtootherleadersandseekingsynergieswhileworkingonyourplan.

However,avoidthetemptationofcomingontothepartnershipandcollaborationtable before establishing your own pathway. Such tables do not compensate for lack of planning nor effort.You must build ateam around you which isahead of everyone else and which uses partnership and collaboration table to accelerate rather than inhibit your progress.Such tableshavederailed manyaleader,ending upcominga cropper in what could have been their moment.