LISTENING to people on the ground is the hallmark of good leadership.
It is a crucial skill for effective leadership, especially when it comes to understanding the needs and challenges of people on the ground.
Listening provides leaders with knowledge and insights into the daily challenges experienced by citizens.
Leaders who actively listen establish trust, anticipate problems, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing people in a particular locality.
This is precisely the kind of leader President Hakainde Hichilema is. The head of State finds it important for him to know what is happening on the ground and priorities for specific areas.
President Hichilema made this stance clear when he met 10 traditional leaders from Muchinga and Eastern provinces in Chinsali yesterday.
The chiefs presented the challenges and priority areas they want Government to address in their respective chiefdoms.
“It is important that we talk to each other, sharing challenges on the ground. This fellow [himself] needs to know the challenges on the ground.
“What are the people saying and what are their priorities in a particular area?” the head of State told the chiefs.
Indeed, hearing views from people on the ground is a mark of responsiveness, which is a positive trait for leaders.
President Hichilema has typified this through his continued interactions with traditional leaders in various parts of the country.
Whichever part of Zambia he goes to on official duty, he spares some time from his hectic schedule to meet chiefs and hear the problems they could be facing and the difficulties they want Government to address first.
By interacting with chiefs, President Hichilema gets to know about the challenges people in different areas of the country face and devises strategies on how to effectively address them.
Interacting with traditional leaders is essential for several reasons.
Traditional leaders serve as representatives of their communities. Their insights and perspectives reflect the needs, challenges and aspirations of the people they lead.
By interacting with chiefs, the President gains valuable grassroots knowledge, which informs policymaking and development initiatives.
Traditional leaders play a crucial role in maintaining harmony within communities. Their influence extends beyond politics to social cohesion.
Collaborating closely with them fosters unity and helps address local disputes or conflicts.
Chiefs are well-connected and respected figures. Their endorsement and cooperation can facilitate development projects.
President Hichilema engaging with them opens avenues for joint efforts in areas such as infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Further, interacting with traditional leaders enables the President to bridge cultural gaps, understand community needs, promote unity, and forge partnerships for national progress.
Also, listening to chiefs allows President Hichilema to tap into local wisdom, address communityspecific challenges, and foster collaboration for the betterment of all.
Traditional leaders are always on the ground and connect well with their subjects.
By relating with them, leaders get to understand and address people’s problems on the ground, playing a crucial role in effective governance.
Understanding ground-level challenges helps leaders make informed decisions after realising that they do not need to know everything, but can tap into collective intelligence.
Surely, President Hichilema has the attributes of leaders who listen, understand, and actively address people’s problems thereby contributing to positive change.
Listening hallmark of good leadership
LISTENING to people on the ground is the hallmark of good leadership.
It is a crucial skill for effective leadership, especially when it comes to understanding the needs and challenges of people on the ground.
Listening provides leaders with knowledge and insights into the daily challenges experienced by citizens.
Leaders who actively listen establish trust, anticipate problems, and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing people in a particular locality.
This is precisely the kind of leader President Hakainde Hichilema is. The head of State finds it important for him to know what is happening on the ground and priorities for specific areas.
President Hichilema made this stance clear when he met 10 traditional leaders from Muchinga and Eastern provinces in Chinsali yesterday.
The chiefs presented the challenges and priority areas they want Government to address in their respective chiefdoms.
“It is important that we talk to each other, sharing challenges on the ground. This fellow [himself] needs to know the challenges on the ground.
“What are the people saying and what are their priorities in a particular area?” the head of State told the chiefs.
Indeed, hearing views from people on the ground is a mark of responsiveness, which is a positive trait for leaders.
President Hichilema has typified this through his continued interactions with traditional leaders in various parts of the country.
Whichever part of Zambia he goes to on official duty, he spares some time from his hectic schedule to meet chiefs and hear the problems they could be facing and the difficulties they want Government to address first.
By interacting with chiefs, President Hichilema gets to know about the challenges people in different areas of the country face and devises strategies on how to effectively address them.
Interacting with traditional leaders is essential for several reasons.
Traditional leaders serve as representatives of their communities. Their insights and perspectives reflect the needs, challenges and aspirations of the people they lead.
By interacting with chiefs, the President gains valuable grassroots knowledge, which informs policymaking and development initiatives.
Traditional leaders play a crucial role in maintaining harmony within communities. Their influence extends beyond politics to social cohesion.
Collaborating closely with them fosters unity and helps address local disputes or conflicts.
Chiefs are well-connected and respected figures. Their endorsement and cooperation can facilitate development projects.
President Hichilema engaging with them opens avenues for joint efforts in areas such as infrastructure, education and healthcare.
Further, interacting with traditional leaders enables the President to bridge cultural gaps, understand community needs, promote unity, and forge partnerships for national progress.
Also, listening to chiefs allows President Hichilema to tap into local wisdom, address communityspecific challenges, and foster collaboration for the betterment of all.
Traditional leaders are always on the ground and connect well with their subjects.
By relating with them, leaders get to understand and address people’s problems on the ground, playing a crucial role in effective governance.
Understanding ground-level challenges helps leaders make informed decisions after realising that they do not need to know everything, but can tap into collective intelligence.
Surely, President Hichilema has the attributes of leaders who listen, understand, and actively address people’s problems thereby contributing to positive change.