Sirajuddin Aziz<\/p>\n
Regardless of whether it is a democratic dispensation or authoritarian rule, politicians, without exception, sell to the masses promises of a tomorrow better than today. They are \u201cmerchants of hope\u201d, whose stock-in-trade is pledges, commitments, and promises. These range from the basic \u2014 roti, kapda, makan (food, clothing, and shelter) \u2014 to ambitions of becoming another \u201cAsian Tiger\u201d. This is often done with the best of intentions. Any reason to doubt their claims is set aside for this discussion, despite evidence to the contrary.
\nIf politicians were to see themselves as chief executive officers, their attitude towards goal-setting and governance would change radically. The first task of a CEO is to have a vision \u2014 and then to sell it to those whose capital will be used and to those tasked with achieving it.
\nThe Prime Minister or President, as CEO, must manage the cabinet (the Central Management Committee) as a corporate manager would. Once a prime minister views themselves as a CEO, with established standards and systems, they inevitably assume full accountability to the Board (Parliament). The CEO, empowered by the Board\u2019s mandate (the PM by popular vote), cannot shirk responsibility for national performance.
\nA CEO or PM must act decisively; delay is never an option. Resolve must manifest through charisma, conduct, integrity, and self-belief. Attention to detail, numerical grasp, and focus are indispensable. The PM, like a CEO, must demonstrate these traits in cabinet interactions, mirroring corporate leadership.
\nIn corporate settings, \u201cthinkers\u201d \u2014 a few senior executives \u2014 devise policies aligned with the vision. Similarly, the PM should form a cabinet subcommittee of specialists and bureaucrats to translate vision into measurable milestones. Policymakers must remain distinct from implementers to prevent constant alterations. Implementation should rest with a separate team \u2014 the full cabinet or senior management \u2014 with clear timelines and deliverables.
\nAn independent Review and Compliance Committee should oversee implementation, with defined Terms of Reference and frequent progress reports to the PM and cabinet. CEOs plan with precision, not broad strokes; likewise, the PM must examine both vision and execution in detail \u2014 a hallmark of great leaders.
\nThe intoxication of success affects both corporate and political leaders. When prime ministers lose attention to detail or speak beyond their competence, the outcome is evident. Successful CEOs empower others rather than impose their will. Their strength lies in restraint and delegation, inspiring performance through presence and example.
\nFrom my experience as CEO of two large organisations in Pakistan, two areas must remain closest to a CEO\u2019s heart: human resources and finance. A PM thinking like a CEO must focus on human capital \u2014 developing it to meet technological demands such as AI, blockchain, and automation \u2014 and on ensuring revenues exceed expenditure. The CEO must study FBR data and budget figures personally. Attention to revenue, spending, and trade growth is non-negotiable. Like Mahathir Mohamad and Lee Kuan Yew, a PM must view the economy through productivity and profitability, turning the state into an economic powerhouse.
\nUltimately, loyalty must be to the institution \u2014 the country \u2014 not the individual. This is essential for governance, performance, and commitment.
\nP.S. A British sitcom about ministers and bureaucracy illustrates the point. In it, Sir Humphrey Appleby writes to Bernard Woolley objecting to the minister\u2019s meetings with junior staff: \u201cThese meetings must be stopped at once. If the minister talks to underlings, he may learn things we don\u2019t know ourselves. Our whole position could be undermined.\u201d Such bureaucratic hurdles exist in corporations too, but CEOs learn to tame them \u2014 and politicians should do the same.<\/p>\n
The writer is a Senior Banker & Freelance Columnist.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sirajuddin Aziz Regardless of whether it is a democratic dispensation or authoritarian rule, politicians, without exception, sell to the masses promises of a tomorrow better than today. They are \u201cmerchants of hope\u201d, whose stock-in-trade is pledges, commitments, and promises. These range from the basic \u2014 roti, kapda, makan (food, clothing, and shelter) \u2014 to ambitions […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[13449],"class_list":{"0":"post-513832","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-article","7":"tag-sirajuddin-aziz"},"yoast_head":"\n