Great men are those who have excelled at creating pure and lasting pleasures for generations yet to be born.

— Voltaire

I REGULARLY ask the following question of my incoming Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree class. How do you wish to be eulogised? The answers, in almost every case, paint a picture of a life of exemplary character and outstanding accomplishments. I then ask a follow-up question: What would you have to do differently, starting now, to be deserving of such a eulogy? The answers invariably speak to a set of choices different than those by which most students live.

From conducting this exercise, over time, I have come to the conclusion that most people live very ordinary lives; lives lived in the comfort zone of norms, traditions and other people’s expectations, that in no way distinguish them. When such persons die, there is hardly any good to be interred with their bones or greatness to live on after them.

For most persons, living a life of unrealised potential affects a limited number of family members, friends and close associates. The negative impact is worse for politicians and heads of state. Their failure to rise above ordinariness can affect whole nations.

This discussion is important for Jamaicans in the context of an admission by Jamaica’s longest-serving parliamentarian, former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, which appeared in the Wednesday, July 18, 2012 edition of The Daily Observer. This is what he was reported to have said at a Monday Exchange convened by the Observer. “Jamaica has not progressed much as a nation after 50 years of self-governance. The economy is worse off, the justice system is worse off, the education system is worse off.” This assessment by the wily politician can only be taken to mean our modern political leaders have no legacy of consequence to show for their time in office.

Two examples will suffice to make a connection between a leader’s desire to leave a legacy and the fortunes of a country. The first is the former president of the United States, Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall. History will forever immortalise his words, which set in motion a set of circumstances leading to the once unthinkable unification of Germany. This is what he said, “There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalisation: Come here to this gate! Mr Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

The second example is President Reagan’s nemesis in the 1980s, leader of the old Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev. The Soviet Union was engulfed by a multitude of problems. The economy had begun to fall apart, shortages of consumer products and conveniences were the norm, and the desire for freedom from tyrannical rule was on the rise. Instead of flexing the Soviet Union’s immense military muscle in response to the perceived insult by President Reagan, Gorbachev set about reconstructing the political and economic system established by the Communist Party through the policies of “perestroika” and “glasnost”. Gorbachev has had to bear the criticism of being the architect of the break-up of the Soviet Union, but today Russia is identified along with Brazil, India and China (the so-called BRIC countries) as the world’s leading growth economies.

I asked internationally renowned Jamaican-born motivational speaker and author of the best-selling book If Caterpillars Can Fly So Can I, Alvin Day, to suggest some principles to guide present and future Jamaican leaders as they tackle the monumental and entrenched problems confronting the nation: crime and violence, corruption, political garrisons, substandard education, and an economy that threatens to pauperise people judged to be among the world’s most enterprising. The list of priority actions and practices include

the following:

(1) At all times, but particularly in times of crisis, reaffirm belief in the vision of the nation and the ability of Jamaicans to get over whatever obstacles stand in our way.

(2) Communicate to the nation in the strongest and most convincing way the notion of a leader who represents all the people, not JLP or PNP, with fairness and impartiality.

(3) Take symbolic but significant actions consistent with the National Motto — Out Of Many One People; for example, actions which send a strong message that class divisions and political garrisons are no more.

(4) Exercise the courage to do what’s right and not what’s politically correct; to lose political power and even to die on a matter of principle.

(5) Select to positions of responsibility, persons of competence and integrity; persons not afraid to speak truth to power or to take decisions that may be initially unpopular but able to withstand the test of time.

Two recent events, one in Britain and the other in the United States, highlighted political cultures that spawn leaders for whom leaving a legacy is a constant preoccupation. The death of Margaret Thatcher, who earned the nickname The Iron Lady, because of her style of leadership, started a conversation about whether she would occupy a place in history alongside the greats such as Winston Churchill. A few days ago, five living presidents gathered in Dallas, Texas, for the launch of the library containing documents and memorabilia reflecting the life and work of former President George W Bush.

Jamaica has been blessed with two national political leaders, Alexander Bustamante and Norman Washington Manley, who are revered as national heroes; placed there on the strength of their leadership in seeing Jamaica achieve universal adult suffrage and self-government. Have the prime ministers following in their wake provided the transformational leadership that would earn them such lasting acclaim? History will be their judge.

Dr Henley Morgan is a philanthropist who founded the Agency of Inner-city Renewal which operates out of Trench Town.