It’s much clearer now. President Duterte wants to diversify our diplomatic and economic portfolio in consonance with the Constitution’s mandate of pursuing an independent foreign policy. He’s leading the country to areas it never treaded as he further pursues the dream of lifting the country out of poverty by laying the groundwork to transform it into a middle class society by 2040.

He’s trying to save our children and their future by battling narco-politics, other forms of syndicated crime and corruption; settling age-old insurgencies fueled by lingering imperial and feudal practices; and aiming for good governance and unity of purpose as the basis for lasting change. In his first 100 days out of the 2,190 days that he’ll serve as President, he’s demonstrated his political will to deliver results to the people starved of executive performance.

But his passion for change has come at a cost.

In explaining what he’s trying to accomplish, he has the tendency to misspeak and show an onionskin that’s uncharacteristic of seasoned politicians. His conduct risks burning bridges with countries that challenge his persona and perceived methods that don’t conform to their standards. Their meddling invites pushback but he also needs to rein himself in with temperance, prudence, and circumspection.

We have to save the situation because the President’s heart and mind are aligned and pointed in the right direction. However, its delivery needs improvement. Harvard Professor Ronald A. Heifetz’s best-selling book Leadership Without Easy Answers presents a theory of leadership that could be of help. Good leaders, he says, know how to adapt, stimulate, and contain the forces of invention and change, and to shift the process from one stage to the next.

Heifetz discusses strategies for “staying alive.” The stresses of adaptive work are often severe and can bring out the worst in people. Leadership tends to be demanding, even dangerous. “Leaders and authority figures get attacked, dismissed, silenced, and sometimes assassinated because they come to represent loss, real or perceived, to those members of the community who feel that they have gotten, or might get, the bad end of the bargain.”

Heifetz’s practical recommendations to leaders include getting far enough above the fray to see the key patterns, distinguishing between oneself and one’s role, externalizing the conflict and giving it back to its rightful owners, identifying and sharing the burden with partners, finding a sanctuary, and preserving a sense of purpose.

The President and his Cabinet should take a step back to reflect on what could be done better to survive the challenges to his brand of leadership. His controversial and confrontational manner has undoubtedly caught the world’s attention and deep concern. And because of it, there are signals from various opposition quarters — those who lost, criminal syndicates and foreign elements — that want him replaced.

There are several dimensions here, possibly even intertwined. The local elites who oppose him wish to regain their power and preserve their wealth. The syndicates want to prevent the restoration of law and order. Foreign elements seek to control him to conform to their policies. That’s where the President’s gained global fame as well as notoriety depending on which side of the tracks one belongs. Naturally, his foes are contemplating ouster and contriving justifications.

At this early stage he’s vulnerable to vicious counterattack — smears, sneers, fears and tears tactics — while he’s settling in, consolidating his grip on government, and resetting diplomatic relations. The way I see it, we should deal with all countries peacefully despite existing problems with them, and place our national interests ahead of theirs. Our choices must benefit our interests, first and foremost, but in a manner that maintains balanced relations with all countries.

Bold and smart leadership is required to step out of old paradigms to chart an independent course in our 21st century interdependent world; and the President is demonstrating that. Everyone’s concern, however, is his message delivery on the national and global stage. If the idea is to catch the audience’s attention, he’s got it. However, there’s a dire need for him to make prompt adjustments before unintended consequences kick in.

If he wants countries to support his crusade to clean up the mess he inherited from years of bad governance, fix our problems and improve our well-being, it requires a mind-set and skill sets to win them over as Heifetz suggests in his book. It’s in our national interest, especially when dealing with the world’s only superpower. If we’re reckless with one, what’s to stop others from thinking that it could happen to them too in the future?

Former President Fidel V. Ramos, who endorsed and supported President Duterte’s candidacy, felt obligated recently to offer wise counsel. Like the supermajority of Filipinos, Mr. Ramos wants the President to succeed in his noble mission and bring the country to a new level. He has seen early mistakes in leadership and management and is raising these for proper internal analysis and appropriate action from lessons learned.

FVR reprinted in his Bulletin column last Sunday what he wrote in 2007 to advise another sitting President, citing two authors — Robert Green (Laws of Power) who drew many important lessons from the teachings of Sun Tzu, Jomini and Napoleon Bonaparte; and Richard Templar (Rules of Management) whose keen insights apply with equal importance to the President and his Cabinet.

I end with several suggestions for President Duterte to consider:

1) Establish a “presidential hot line” between him and FVR for risk and crisis management, and maintain the line of communication between them.

2) Form a Round Table of Ambassadors to regularly share information and discuss issues, opportunities and threats in the spirit of universal brotherhood, peace and cooperation.

3) Good governance requires “completed staff work” (CSW) and teamwork to be right and do it right. Learn from your mistakes.

4) Meet with LEDAC and the NSC regularly to process landmark legislation, promote the national brand and protect the country.

5) Be presidential on stage for the nation you represent, and let your communications team deliver your messages to local and global audiences.

Source: www.bworldonline.com