How do we measure leadership? What qualities constitute good leadership? There are many criteria that can be used to measure leadership, including the following capacities:
1. Listening to and learning from others and the emerging future
2. Identifying, understanding and articulating the key challenges at hand
3. Mobilising and working effectively with others
4. Speaking truth
5. Acting Courageously
6. Practising humility
As we commemorate the 15th Anniversary of President Mwanawasa’s passing-on, I would like to reflect on one quality, among many, that measured his leadership: capacity to constantly put National Interest First. In small and big ways, President Mwanawasa tried to put national interest before other interests, including his own feelings and needs. I am not in any way saying, the President did not have limitations and challenges. Like all of us, he had many. I am deliberately focusing on one of the capacities I consider to be his key strengths, as we remember him. I will use a number of examples I personally experienced or witnessed to demonstrate why I think he desired to and acted in a way that put national interest first.
When President Mwanawasa appointed me as “Special Consultant to the President,” for about two weeks I could not see or work with what were deemed sensitive matters. This was because the “security checks” on me had not been completed. One day, the President called me to his office. After inviting me to sit down, he asked, “Martin, you did not tell me you were a member of the FDD party?” (Forum for Democracy and Development). A little trepid, I responded, “Yes, Sir, I shifted from the MMD (Movement for Multi-Party Democracy) when the split took place in Kabwe. I chose to go with those who disagreed with President Chiluba’s attempt to have a third term in office.” Silence. Then the President spoke with a big smile on his face, “What does it matter! You are a Zambian and I know you will make a contribution to both State House and the Country.” I quietly sighed. “I have received the intelligence report we have been waiting for,” the President continued. “There is nothing that stops me from swearing you into office.” Two days later, I formally took up my role in the Presidency.
There were many instances when my colleagues at State House and I witnessed the President making what we initially felt were strange decisions. When President Mwanawasa heard that former President Chiluba was deeply unwell, he decided to go and visit the ailing former Head of State. President Mwanawasa invited a few of us to accompany him to President Chiluba’s residence. Upon returning to State House and it was just the President and myself in his office, I asked him, “Your Excellency, pardon my inquisitiveness. Your Government is investigating the former President with potential charges of corruption and is under house arrest; what made you go and visit him?” He looked at me and shook his head. “Martin, you are confusing yourself,” he began to speak. “There is no conflict here. I heard that Dr Chiluba was very unwell. He is our former Head of State and Government. He is my former President. It is my duty, on behalf of the People of Zambia, to ensure that Dr Chiluba receives all the support he needs to recover. As for the issues pertaining to corruption, the law has to take its course.” Within hours, President Chiluba was evacuated to South Africa for specialised medical attention. Disdain
President Mwanawasa acted in similar manner when Mr Michael Sata, a fierce opponent, was taken seriously ill. “I do not like him (Mr Sata) because he insults and treats me with utter disdain, but the Country needs him. What he says hurts, yet he provides a much-needed voice in our Nation,” President Mwanawasa would say.
Final story. At one time, the University of Cambridge Program for Industry, where I used to serve as faculty, asked me to help them invite former President Kenneth Kaunda to be their Key-Note Speaker and Guest of Honour at the end of a Senior Executive Program that was being held in Salzburg, Austria. At the time, I was working for President Mwanawasa and was well aware how soured his relationship with Dr Kaunda was in that period of time. After gathering a bit of courage, I spoke to the President, “The University of Cambridge has asked me to help them invite Dr Kaunda to be Guest of Honour at one of their flagship and most prestigious programs. They will meet all his costs, including travel. I am aware that things have not been so well between the two of you and ….”
The President swiftly interrupted me, “I do not understand what you are saying, Martin. What does that have to do with the invitation?” I remained quiet. “We must be proud that our former Head of State has been invited to play this role,” he continued. “He is going to represent us where many industry leaders from across the world will be present. The only thing I would insist on is that they do not insult us by paying for Dr Kaunda’s trip. I know we are financially challenged as a Country, but for sheer self-respect as a Nation, we have to meet the cost of travel for our former President. Afterall, he will be our ambassador there.” I travelled with Dr Kaunda to Austria and the business leaders present were charmed by his humility, wisdom and sense of humour.
Putting others first does not have to feel good all the time. Putting one’s nation first may not always feel comfortable, but we have to do it, anyway.
Martin Kalungu-Banda
His work focuses on Leadership & Organisation Development. He is Co-Founder of Impact Hub Lusaka and Ubuntu.Lab Institute; Co-Faculty of the Presencing Institute, Visiting Fellow at the University of Oxford’s Said Business School and Research Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
