Words are merely expressions of plans, intentions ambitions and the like of it, until such words are put into action. We have, and are still having so much words of promises from political leadership in our society, but we really need actions. Action is the actual execution of such plans. Fair enough, every good action is often preceded by a solid effective plan. An effective plan has objectives and goals. These goals should be measurable, timed, reasonable, achievable and yet should be challenging enough to be worth it.
Following from my earlier blogs on Corruption solution: Top level commitment (dated October 17, 2014) and Nigeria 2015 Election: vote for corruption eradication (dated October 16, 2014), I charged our nation(s) leaders and aspiring leaders to demonstrate their commitment to eradication of corruption in our society. A very effective way to jump start commitment attitude is to create a plan of how they intend to eradicate corruption. In the plan, they should ensure that they identify people of integrity that will be on the same mindset and willingness, and then identify the existing and possible challenges to achieving the corruption eradication goal. Articulate how to deal with such challenges, and ensure the plans have the attributes of an effective plan stated earlier above, namely measurable, timed, reasonable, achievable and yet challenging.
- Measurable - this helps to ensure that the goal can be measured , that is quantified, rather than just being descriptive and thus making it difficult to objectively and unambigupusly assess achievements and progress. It is highly ambiguous to continue to say I will eradicate corruption without stating or articulating how and when.
- Timed - the timelines for carrying out each specific items in the action plan and when the goals are expected to be achieved should be clearly stated (in months and or years). E.g., I will persecute 75% of reported cases of corruption in one year (25% every 3 months for the next one year), etc. Stating clearly the details of what to achieve, how and when to get it done do not only make plans solid for use, but also create accountability and demonstrates seriousness and commitment to succeed in eradicating corruption.
- Reasonable, achievable and challenging - the plans' goals should be realistic and achievable yet big enough to be challenging. Don't over-zealously set goals that are obviously not humanly possible within the time frame; that will be tantamount to setting leadership up to fail; or worst still potray the leadership as unscrupulous and ridiculous team of aspiring leadership who merely wants to win people's support for their selfish aim. However, the fact that the goal must be reasonable does not mean it should be so easy that little or no effort will be required to achieve them. It should be challenging or demanding enough that achieving it will require a lot of effort and high-level dedication, will and commitment to achieve.
Leaders or aspiring leaders of nations should be held to this minimum standard of being able to articulate and clearly outline their goal in eradicating corruption, rather than allow them to just merely tell us on the campaign tents that they will deal with corruption. They should be put on the spot and let it be televised nationwide and have people call-in to ask questions specifically on how they intend to fight and win the battle against corruption.
A case in point is the oncoming Nigeria 2015 election: voters should make the fight against corruption their main priority when assessing individuals for every elective post. If the political leaders at all levels are compelled to commit to corruption eradication drive, and they have the will to fight corruption, they will be able to ensure their cabinet run with it as well. And then we will be on the right course to eradicate corruption.
These all depend on our commitment; how committed are you?
More to come as you follow me on corruption eradication in our nation(s)...
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