Qualities of a Good Leader
Along with encouraging people not to give or accept bribes, the Clean Election Campaign also sets out to remind people of the qualities needed for a good leader. The following text was distributed alongside the pledge forms in a recent Kenyan CEC. Every leader aspiring to elected office should possess the following qualities:
- Commitment – dedicated to doing the work, not just a dreamer.
- Courage – able to face fears and act regardless.
- Discernment – seeking to be guided through listening to the inner voice of truth/conscience/divine wisdom.
- Generosity – ready to share the credit with others. A candle loses nothing when it lights another.
- Integrity – living the truths they talk about, 'walking the talk'.
- Vision – seeing the bigger picture, thinking for the next generation, not just the next election.
- Compassion – a person who cares and feels for other people, fair to all and treating everybody with respect and dignity.
- Honesty – being trustworthy and sincere. Does not practice or encourage the giving or receiving of bribes or inducements in any form, both in private and public life.
- Servant leadership – serving the people, not themselves and putting the interests of the nation above personal and party considerations.
- Good Relationships – able to work well with others, not controlled by anger or bitterness.
- Responsibility – not bending their conscience under pressure from others, but listening to public opinion and honoring promises made.
- Self Discipline – managing their family well, protecting public institutions and obeying the laws of the land.
- Confidence – a person with faith and trust in themselves, their roles, their team and their values.