Good Leadership Not Money Grows the Economy of a Country

“Men make history and not the other way around. In periods where there is no leadership, society stands still. Progress occurs when courageous, skillful leaders seize the opportunity to change things for the better. ” – Harry S. Truman

Most countries’ economy turned for the better kudos to good leadership and not money. There are quite a number of countries rich in diverse mineral resources yet the people are leaving in abject poverty and the government is crying foul stating paucity of fund as excuse for underdevelopment and cannot even take care of its citizens while few individuals in the government are enriching themselves to the extent that an individual’s wealth could match the wealth of many states in such countries.

There are also few emirates and countries like Singapore, Japan, Dubai etc whose leaders transformed their economy through good leadership, dedication, accountability, honesty and being committed to the plights of the citizen.

Let’s analyze DUBAI and how its leaders transformed it into a real estate, tourist and shopping hub for the world. A tiny emirate in the Middle East. Although Dubai was built on the back of oil industry and has suffered a real estate slump in recent years, unlike its sister emirate, Abi Dhabi, Dubai accounted for and still accounts for an insignificant proportion of the oil and gas wealth that occurs to the United Arab Emirates.

According to Wikipedia, it is estimated that Dubai produces 50,000 – 70,000 barrels of crude oil a day possibly the same quantity produced by states like Abia and Ondo in Nigeria and substantial qualities of gas from offshore fields.

Dubai’s oil reserve has diminished considerably and is expected to run out in two decades. However, its visionary and rather ambitious leader, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktohm (from 1948) used revenue from trading activities to build infrastructures. He was creative enough to diversify the emirate’s economic base, such that trade, real estate, construction, financial services and the tourism sectors are the largest contributors to its economy, not oil and gas which account for around 5% of its revenue.

A leader without a vision ends up crumbling the economy of her country. – Francis Nwokike

Where there is no vision, the people perish. – Proverbs 29:18

What that boils down to is leadership and the choices that it makes.

David Oyedepo said “Until you change the way you think, you cannot change the way you live.”

How to Earn Good Leadership

In a democratic government, the choice you make in voting determines the leader you get. You must make the right choice as an entrepreneur, government worker or a student, if not; a bad leader with bad leadership qualities can cripple the economy of your country; can increase school fees, owe salaries or subject the business people to multiple taxation thereby closing downs businesses and scaring foreign investors off its soil.

Here are 10 steps you must take before choosing your leaders;

1. Analyze carefully their qualities and achievements.
2. Check their records if possible to ascertain their inputs in any previous organization or posts held.
3. Where they accountable?
4. Are they honest?
5. Are they great decision makers?
6. Where they committed to the welfare of their colleagues and sub-ordinates?
7. Are they law abiding?
8. Must be confident
9. Have a defined purpose.
10. Focus and people-oriented individuals.

In conclusion, take note of this; when choosing your leaders, do not be sentimental.