Sound leadership do not dictate their own agenda to people under their command, Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama said while officiating at the traditional leadership curriculum at Nadave, Tailevu, yesterday.
“As you know, I was a military man and the military can only function in a culture of command and obedience,” he told the 35 participants from Serua Province.
“But rank alone, never made a military man an effective commander.”
Mr Bainimarama said Fiji needed strong and enlightened leaders at all levels of society.
“It is respect for leadership that drives people to excel.”
He said leadership was also founded on compassion.
“They will need to see you resolve disputes in a civilised manner.
“They need to see you put the interest of the vanua above your own and never use the position of leadership to enrich yourselves.
“They need to believe that you will communicate with them fully so they are informed about the issues that will affect their lives.”
He said a leader would consult people on important issues before a decision was made.
“Not impose a dictatorial will and they deserve your full commitment to helping them access the opportunities made available by my Government,” Mr Bainimarama added.
So far, 92 people have been trained through the leadership training program facilitated by the Ministry of iTaukei Affairs.
