SOME INFORMATION ABOUT ELECTIONS NO ONE WILL FREELY TELL YOU

                                             

Election is the process through which the community selects its leaders through a democratic process. Election is an aspect of good governance. Abraham Lincoln puts it that “No man is good enough to govern another man without the other’s consent”.

For elections to be credible, we need to put in place an adequate structure to manage the election. This body is required to be neutral and objective.

Election is an activity that goes as far back as to the time of the bible. The Faith community was instructed to choose able servants to accompany the Apostles in the dispatch of their duties. This shows that elections are means through which leaders are selected and empowered. Being the only means through which citizens exercise their patriotism, elections need to credible, free, fair and democratic.

ADVANTAGES OF   ELECTIONS.

>It is the most suitable expression of the political preferences of the electorates.

>It is an expression of good governance in contrast to autocratic or dictatorial rule.

>Election makes one’s voice to be heard. It thus authenticates popular sovereignty through direct voting.

>Credible election helps to moderate leadership, especially as the electorates have the task to give a sanction to poor leadership.

>By credible election, the community is able to hold leaders accountable through subsequent elections.

> It helps to X-Ray promises made by leaders and the community’s response to those promises as a valid testing ground. 

DISADVANTAGES OF ELECTIONS.

>There is the sad reality, that more often than not, there is the experience of corruption during election.

>There is the buying of consciences.

>The motive of electorate could affect the process especially when people tend to choose leaders from selfish motives and not from the aspect of capabilities.

>Electoral process is not only costly but election also brings about enmity and tension to the community.

>Leaders may tend to compromise their visions and go for populist measures before election, for the sake of vote, even though this can harm the economy or social structure of the community.

>The fact that at whatever levels, we would always have non elected members appointed, in some case to over shadow the elected officials make the election not valid.

>Elections enhance tribalism.

STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN TO ENSURE A FAIR, FREE AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS.

>PUT a neutral body to manage the electoral process from start from start to end

>Electorates should be well screened and all aspirants be well checked.

>Electorates should be well educated on the conduct of the election and the type of persons to be voted. This is done by writing out electoral code and distributing it on time.

> The incumbent has to leave office before the day of the elections.

EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP STYLES THAT NO ONE WILL EVER TELL YOU

                                               SOME GREAT LEADERSHIP STYLES

There are some leadership styles which can help a leader depending on the time which one is used. But most of the time leaders turn to use one style too much to the advantage or disadvantage of the group or organization. Below are some of the styles.

AUTOCRATIC LEADERSHIP:  In this style of leadership, the leader stands above the group and tells members what to do. The members are only to receive orders but they have no right to say a thing or suggest. Theirs is only to obey. The work here can be done quickly, but only as the leader wishes and thinks it good. This style limits creativity, ideas and development of members. The needs of members are not seen and there is no freedom of speech. Can you think about any community where such a style is applied in? Is the infrastructure of this place up to date?

PATERNALISM STYLE: Here the leader talks with the members, receives their ideas but says the last word and takes decisions. She/he is like the big mama/ big papa who know everything best. Members tend to look up to him or her, and in his or her absence, this group cannot do anything. There is no development of the group or organization and freedom of the people is in the hands of an individual who is often worshiped and looked upon as a god. If this style is applied to a country, people are bound to suffer as decisions are usually made late.

LAISSEZ-FAIRE STYLE: In this style, the leader stands outside the group, gives no suggestions, allows members to work by themselves and answers a question only when asked. It may be the leader is not interested in the group or she/he maybe insecure or doubtful. The members have all the freedom but no guidance, so they get frustrated. Work under this type of leadership takes long to be completed.

DEMOCRATIC STYLE: The leader here stands in the group. The relationship goes from leader to members and back to the leader; the members also interact among themselves. All members are equal and have the right to express themselves and develop. Decisions are made together, taking into consideration the needs of everyone. A task is quickly realized with the efforts of all in the agree way. This style of leadership is the highest.

  Styles of leadership may change, but each leader always has to check his/her style of leadership to see if there is anything that needs to be changed for the good of the group or organization. The various styles of leadership that you have seen here can useful and be very good at different times and in different situations. So as a leader, you must be able to know when to be democratic, laissez-faire, paternalistic or autocratic. Avoid being an extremist in any of the above styles of leadership.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BEING A SUCCESSFUL LEADER

                                               Simple Guides to become a successful leader

To be a leader, there are two important things you must consider if you want to really attain your objectives. These are the DYNAMICS and the SKILLS. What I mean here is that you must have a mastery of leadership dynamics and leadership skills.

Leadership dynamics simply mean being flexible or use styles that suit the needs of those place under your care. The styles used and the way you effectively apply them is called leadership skills. So leadership skills are what you should be and do to achieve your goals.

                 As you read through this article, you are expected to know the following:

>Who a group leader is; what he/she should BE and DO.

>What leadership is all about?

Definition of a Leader: A leader is anyone who helps himself and others placed under his control to do the right thing at the right time in order to attain the goals of their group or organization. The phrase” right time” is very important here because at certain moments, leaders do the right things at the wrong time which is usually not good. Most leaders have failed because this behavior.

 WHAT LEADERS SHOULD BE.

>The leader should be dynamic; use different methods to guide his subordinates

>She/he should be courageous; face people and tell them what is supposed to be done.

>Determined; that is work hard to achieve the aims of the organization.

>Open minded; that is being kind and ready to forgive colleagues at all times.

>Someone who has foresight or is visionary. It means you should be able to predict future outcomes.

>Be someone who has initiative. Could come up with new ideas for the growth of the group.

>Be tactful

>Be smart and energetic

> Be Truthful and firm

>Be of good behavior

>Be ready to accept corrections

>Be prayerful.

These are some of the qualities expected to be possessed by any leader. Do you have any of the above qualities? If yes then only your actions will testify. Your actions are what you do as a leader .And to know what a leader does, defines leadership. So what is LEADERSHIP?

    Leadership is the ability to apply the qualities supposed to be possessed by a leader. OR Leadership is the process of guiding, directing, commanding others to achieve a desired goal or vision. This means there are certain things leaders must do.

THINGS LEADERS SHOULD DO.

Ø  Change oriented; should accept and apply new ideas

Ø  Enjoy work; should have fun doing your work.

Ø  Attract others; make people feel like involved and motivate them always.

Ø  Work by faith; willing to take risks

Ø  Use mistakes; not to be afraid of making mistakes but use them as stepping stones.

Ø  Gives; must be able to share. You are not in for yourself. You should be more involved with the fulfillment of your vision not self-centered.

Ø  Relates well; should be able to relate with different people in different places at different times. Convey your mission to others.

Ø  Self-awareness; know your weaknesses and strengths. Knowing yourself is so important to help guide your decisions and actions.

Leadership is all about influence. As a leader, you should be able to influence people. Cause them to act even when they are not in the mood. This, you will achieve if they are properly motivated. Great motivation leads to easy influence.  The word INFLUENCE is an abbreviation analyzed as follows:

        I-Integrity; let people put their trust in you. Let your words and actions impact lives.

N-nurture; take care of those put under your care like a nursing mother will care for the baby.

F-faithful; trust yourself and those you work with.

L-Listen well; speak less and listen more.

U-understanding heart; know that no two individuals or situations are the same irrespective of the time.

E-emotionally intelligent; be on the alert always. Be slow to anger and let love lead.

N-nice looking always; be neat always and put on smiling face always.

C-communicate well; mind your words and to whom you speak.

E-exemplary; let your actions be in line with what you say.

From above, we can say a leader is an elevator who helps the group to evaluate its decisions, goals or procedures. With great influence, you can attain any level in your leadership endeavors.