Twentieth Century Leadership Approach to Change Versus the Twenty-first Century Approach

Everyone, since Nkrumah, has emphasized Africa's great potential, but the question remains: Is potential all there is? Five decades later, Nkrumah’s optimism hasn’t been fulfilled! Successive leaders of the continent, plagued primarily by selfishness and greed after the colonial rule, have failed to create a compelling vision that captured Africans' imagination and transformed that vast potential into reality. I have often asked myself what type of leadership is most suitable for African society. This is a difficult question to ponder! It took me nearly three decades to process this. Another question of interest is what went wrong with the Monarchical style of leadership in Africa? Some observers have come down very hard on the Monarchical style of leadership. They argue that absolute power should not be concentrated in the hands of a single ruler. But when you look at Monarchy in its purest form, especially as depicted in my own tribal legends or myths, you can see that it is a type of leadership in which responsibility is shared through consultation and inclusive participation. The question often arises whether democracy is working in Africa. Democracy is an imported style of governance that was not properly adapted to suit African political philosophy and worldviews. Democracy is fragile and has its own weaknesses, as recently witnessed among some of the most sophisticated societies. For these reasons, I presupposed that the servant leadership approach should be researched and embraced within the African context. Since the post-colonial era, little progress has been made in the various political leadership structures, whether military or democratic. I am therefore postulating that servant leadership, with its plausibility of consultation and inclusive participation, will make a difference!