Many African countries are rich in and led mostly by Type II leaders. There are few cases of Type I leadership in African countries today. One will also come across some Type III leaders. The question then is: “What must Africans do to produce Type I leaders”? The remainder of this article is devoted to answering this question.
Leadership development the human factor way
Undeniably, African countries have leaders. Many of these leaders are excessively corrupt just as any others from the rest of the world. The primary reason for the nature of corruption in African countries as well as elsewhere in the global village is the lack of the positive qualities of the human factor. The quality of the human factor is as indispensable to leadership effectiveness in the whole human enterprise as the central nervous system is to the proper functioning of the human body. In general the human factor can be likened to the necessary software that aids computers to operate aircrafts, trains, cars, satellites and communication systems. Just as it is impossible for any computeroperated tool, appliance, or gadget to function without the relevant programmed software, effective leadership will never occur in Africa without the availability of the positive qualities of the human factor. Principle-centred leaders, managers, and labour force lead to enhance productivity growth, high quality life, and longevity. These people are rich in the positive qualities of the human factor at all levels of the production processes, socioeconomic development, and business profitability. The six critical components of the human factor theory are presented in Figure 2 below.
Among the six components of the human factor, the most important one is spiritual capital which refers to the individual’s ability to connect to, know, understand, and use the wisdom attained from these principles for the benefit of all. Next to spiritual capital is moral capital; which is one’s ability to distinguish between right and wrong. One must successfully use it to ennoble one’s contributions to the nation building process. Aesthetic capital is the capability to distinguish between beauty and ugliness. Human capital refers to acquired knowledge and skills. Human abilities are the competences one develops and uses to inform the applications of acquired knowledge and skills. Human potential refers to untapped latent qualities (Adjibolosoo, 2005, 1999, and 1995). When these six dimensions bloom in citizens the nation has a powerful base for effective leadership. These are the kinds of people required for effective leadership in Africa.
The kinds of people required for effective leadership
It is universally accepted that to succeed in attaining and sustaining set objectives anywhere, a certain calibre of people is required. These people are rich in the positive qualities of the human factor. To accomplish the task of nation building, human-centred development, business profitability, and longevity every community requires members who: 1. Have the ambition and the imagination to search for clues; have the intent always to perform and are of one mind; have the willingness to search for, and insist on discovering solutions to existing national problems. 2. Are determined to search for and acquire understanding about current problems, existing levels of available skills and the additional abilities required for the enhancement of productivity, and have knowledge about what must be done and how and the wisdom to use acquired knowledge to solve problems. These people will facilitate the rate at which solutions are carved for overcoming hindrances to the economic development process. 3. Have the zeal and the willingness to give liberally their best in contributing to the national economic development program. The industry brought to the reconstruction process by each person must grow out of individual free will and commitment to self-interest insofar as it is consonant with national economic development goals. 4. Provide the required leadership that is apt to facilitate the process of providing the opportunities for every citizen to contribute freely to the success of the national program for economic progress. 5. Have the assurance that courage, resourcefulness and hard work will not only increase the wealth of their society but will also lead to the continuing enjoyment of the fruits of their munificence. 6. Possess a sense of purpose, insight, vision and direction; are skilful in wisdom and scientific knowledge; are steadfast in commitment to risk taking; and are dedicated to personal integrity. These are the people who possess relevant human qualities and know what is good and required for human progress (i.e., effective and efficient maintenance of law and order, respect for the rule of law and property rights, the promotion of hard work and social welfare and an unrelenting respect for the sanctity of human life and the dignity of labour). (See 1995, pp. 84-85).
Type I leadership is made up of honest, selfless, and serviceable servants (i.e., principle-centred). Regardless of what existing leadership theories propose, universally, there are only three kinds of leadership types. What African countries require today to make a turnaround is an education program designed to produce this calibre of citizens who lead and create propelling environment required to succeed in their chosen professions. It is only when the African citizenry grows richer in the positive human factor qualities that the most critical condition for Africa’s advancement will emerge. The required vehicle is fully equipped with the engine and fuel to make the journey from degradation to advanced levels of prosperity. When hired for positions of trust and adequately resourced, these people provide effective leadership for profitable >>
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