If you cannot depend on your brightest and best when the going is at its toughest, where indeed do you turn? It’s not often here in T&T that office holders—in the face of any kind of criticism—unwarranted, unjustified or deserving—display the courage and humility to admit to an error and in so doing take the necessary corrective measure. True and courageous leadership is defined by such actions. It is against this background that the decision by Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Justice of Appeal Wendell Kangaloo to return their instruments of silk and the designation Senior Counsel should be measured. The battle lines involved men of considerable influence, intellect and importance. The merits of the arguments for and against ought not to be watered down by any perception of double standards, hidden agendas or score settling. One can always argue that some who were most robust in their criticism, themselves came up short in their time. No matter the intention or motives it would be unedifying to disclaim the worth of the message. The debate was necessary, fascinating and an education in itself. As T&T struggles to make itself fit for purpose for today’s world, not a shameful indictment but more a reflection that we are still maturing as a society.
Our attitudes, thinking and behaviours can at times be that of an adolescent searching for identity, purpose and meaning. Strong and contentious as the dialogue may have been the Judiciary and by extension the country can consider itself fortunate that it can count among its ranks Chief Justice Ivor Archie and Justice Wendell Kangaloo. The public at large can take some measure of comfort safe in the knowledge that the Judiciary, at this time, is not led by inflexible and arrogant individuals. Regrettably, the same cannot be said for some other local institutions and organisations where the destructive combination of power and shamelessness reign supreme. Every leader in T&T will be well advised to take heed and note what has transpired. At some time or the other all leaders will face a similar predicament or dilemma. The facts and circumstances may be different but the central issues will be the same. Former US President Bill Clinton, who played rugby while a student at Oxford University, once said that sport teaches that you get breaks you don’t deserve, and that you have to make the most of the good breaks and shake off the bad ones.
Admitting to and not avoiding a mistake is not a sign of weakness in a leader but a sign of courage, integrity, responsibility, accountability and strength of character. One of the most respected qualities in a leader is honesty. As Alexander Pope wrote in his Essay on Criticism: “To err is human; to forgive divine” and “A man should never be ashamed to own he has been wrong, which is but saying, he is wiser today than he was yesterday.” Admitting you are human takes courage and humility. Individuals in leadership positions who never see his or her own faults are just pretending to be leaders.To take personal accountability and responsibility for and to admit to a mistake is the mark of a true and real leader. There are subtle and not so subtle messages that sport leaders will do well to pay close attention to and even be guided by. Regardless of their private thoughts and feelings about the merits of the public criticism and the embarrassment, the Chief Justice and Justice Kangaloo responded calmly and rationally. It is in this context and on this occasion that their actions are worthy examples of courageous leadership.
-Brian Lewis
Source: www.guardian.co.tt