Leaders

Article written by – Giorgio Ducci

Once upon a time, in a small island called Gozo there was a group of people who spent all the day looking for a leader. Nobody wanted to become a leader because it was too demanding. There was Tom, called “the visionary”, because he used to smoke marijuana every morning and he could have visions for the rest of the day. He studied politics and anarchy with Bakunin but his background was too idealist to become a leader. Tim, Tom’s cousin, was exactly the opposite as he was called “the autocrat” because he would have wanted to be the only one with decision-making power.
Another strange character in Gozo was the early-bird coachman called “the people pleaser” because he always gives a lift to those in need, he always says “yes”. The Gozo community decided that the coachman couldn’t become a leader because he was not able to say “no”. A true leader must be ready to say “yes” or “no” in the same way. At the same time the coachman looked like a servant leader because he focuses on the needs of others before he considers his own needs.
In the Cittadella in the middle of Gozo lived lady Pantera, she was famous for her amorous intrigues. She was the Cittadella leader and she wanted to become the leader of the entire island. She was the richest person there and she thought she could buy everything with money including power. She used to urge all Gozo women to be like her because she was the best in terms of beauty, charm, style and grace. The community saw her as an instigator of change without any particular reason. Being charming like lady Pantera was not enough to become a leader.
Robinson was Lady Pantera’s neighbour, he lived at Independence Square. His address matched with his leader approach: he spurred people to achieve their goals in order to become independent. His idea was that a leader has to help other people find their way. The opposite of Robinson was Diocle “the demagogue”.

A demagogue should be a leader who seeks support by appealing to the desires and prejudices of ordinary people rather than using rational arguments. Diocles knew how to delude everyone, promising air conditioning, houses with swimming pools, low prices and annuities.
Once again, the people of Gozo realised that what Diocle promised was a scam because his plans were economically unsustainable and they decided not to listen to him.
Then arrived Artemisius the pacesetter, he was Diocles’ cousin.
Artemisius thought he could lead the island towards a better situation. The people of Gozo did not immediately realise that he was not an innovator but a runner. His title was in fact pace-setter because he helped people find the right pace to run. He ordered all inhabitants to run 10 km every morning. Sport helps to create team spirit, cooperation and unity. The inhabitants, however, became bored with running after a week.

The turning point came during one night with Max the torchbearer. All the inhabitants were amazed by the light of his torch but unfortunately that light did not have the same effect during the day. The blinding light of the sun did not allow them to see the torch and the inhabitants of Gozo immediately felt lost again.
Only at the end came the unwavering Captain Victor. He found the resources to fix roads and schools and he created an efficient transport network. English language had to be spoken by everyone, no one could enter the island without first presenting a valid English certificate. Finally Gozo could count on a charismatic and caring leader. From that moment on, the island began to be a happy island.