In Nepal, there has been an increasing interest in the role of leaders and leadership in the process of development. To some extent, Nepali people might say that lack of good leadership in the country is contributing to the country’s poverty. Good leaders and good leadership are required for the development of the country as they are responsible for a wide range of functions. This is the right time for good leaders to prove themselves by their collective actions rather than working out their own personal and vested interests.
Various psychological researches in the West have shown that leaders are able to create enthusiasm, empower their people, instill confidence, and inspire the people around them. Despite the fact that good leadership is crucial for a country, Nepal’s political leadership has only given bitter experiences to the people. Nepali people are eagerly looking forward to having a good government with effective and inclusive leadership.
Great Leadership: A Road Less Traveled
In the past decade, successful elections to constituent assemblies, local bodies, and federal and local parliaments have been positive steps in Nepal’s transition to a federal democracy following the decade-long civil war till 2006 that claimed more than 16,000 lives. After all the bloodshed, Nepali people now want to see responsible action from good leaders instead of assurance of words. According to officials of the Department of Foreign Employment (DoFE), every year around 515,000 Nepali youths obtain labour permit to leave the country for foreign employment.
We are exporting our human capital and active workforce for trivial jobs in the Gulf countries. The country is seeing a dearth of youth, which is great loss for the development of the country. Similarly, corruption has become a part of the culture of the country.
Nepal’s leadership needs to play the roles of an active partner, investor, implementer, and reformer so that Nepali people are able to take inspiration from them and uplift their livelihoods. By adopting strategies to promote scientific agriculture methods, tourism, and entrepreneurship, job opportunities could be created at home.
To quote Brian Tracy, “Leaders think and talk about solutions. Followers think and talk about problems.” Careful understanding of this remarkable thought may play a vital role when it comes to creating leaders and developing good leadership. Of course, leaders have come and gone. Too often, Nepali people are used to welcoming new prime ministers, ministers and leaders to lead the country. However, it is painful to say that most of them have failed on their prime duties, damaging the aspirations of citizens. Good leaders remain intellectually curious and committed to learning. They are inquisitive and always looking for new ideas, insights and information.
Saroj Wagle who is originally from Bara, Nepal is pursuing an MBA degree at Charotar University of Science and Technology in Gujarat, India.
