Leadership is a dynamic variable, subject to function at a degree of progression given the nature of a particular society and the citizens/beneficiaries therein. What may appear as fundamental leadership in Britain, could struggle to create meaningful social impacts in a country like Egypt. Hence, there are variations to progressive leadership principles.
History lends credence given the context. The manner in which Ghengis Khan approached the praxis of leadership, one that led to the expansion of the Mongolian empire in 13th century, was entirely different from Machiavelli’s fierce derivatives of power control in the 16th century.
Critics may argue that an exclusive dominant type of leadership principle fondly exist within an epochal phase. For instance, the current global dynamics points to democracy as an immutable zest in the heart of modern leadership—one that covertly, tacitly and brazenly affirms that all nations must be democratic to enjoy the dividends of leadership. But in the same contemporary global dispensation, we find countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong strutting leadership brilliantly in a different hue and colour. Historically, the Carthage Empire under Hannibal Bacca approached leadership to a behest height at a time when the great Roman Empire expansionist strides was at its apogee. Students of history may likely recall the first and second punic War given the parallel mention of Hannibal and the Roman Empire.
The famous Stoic Emperor, Marcus Aurelius is an affable inspiration when it comes to leadership. He espouses patience, endurance, compassion and empathy as some of the greatest principles to great leadership. These virtues are gold dust. However, I find that leadership in today’s world will demand much more than that, especially within the bounds of grits, verve and effervescence. Given this, I consider knowledge as a boundless principle of progressive leadership.
The choice of knowledge in the mix is entirely not new. Knowledge was the central dictum in Plato’s political treatise, “Republic”. In contemporary folklore we can find easily countries that took off developmentally as a result of knowledge in leadership. Singapore under Lee Kwan Yew is a prime example. The dichotomy between the global north and south also lends credence here. Simply put, the divide between the knowledge economy – dominant in large parts of Eurasia and religious economy, predominant in Africa.
Knowledge is the most crucial principle of leadership. Notable Political Scientist like Jason Brennan will agree with me. Recent findings shows that Epistocracy, a hypothetical form of leadership based on knowledge principle will drive government to their optimum best as against the much-hyped democracy.
Oti Egwu is a Writer, Communications Expert & Content Strategist. Read Oti Egwu’s full executive profile here.