(Mis)leading at the Edge

E·N·Q·U·I·R·Y
DEMAREE J.B. RAVAL

(Mis)leading at the Edge
Sunday, 09 17, 2006

I have put on my thinking cap, hoping to latch on a Latin phrase which would be a suitable epigraph for a lecture I would have to give, but my mind keeps wandering back to how things are in the political scene, that all the maxims that I dimly remember from law school are crowded out by this one: Fortitudine, vincimus — by endurance, we conquer.

Which could very well be the credo of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Twice, an impeachment move had been made against her, but the sheer tyranny of the number of her allies at the House had made sure that those complaints ended nowhere else but the waste basket. She’s still there — enduring and, obviously, conquering, carving out a reputation as a shrewd political survivor.

What GMA’s opponents don’t realize is that she has a copy of Dennis Perkins’ book, Leading at the Edge, which contains leadership lessons from the extraordinary saga of Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition. Politicians who intend to endure and conquer are well-advised to pick up a copy, so that they could learn the strategies of leading at the edge, like the following:

A. Never lose sight of the ultimate goal; focus energy on short-term objectives. A leader utilizes all available resources to address vital short-term tasks that bring him closer to achieve the long-term goal. For example: Make a grand announcement that you are not running in order to heal the wounds of a divided country. This drives everyone deliriously happy and lulls the Opposition into a state of hopeful expectations. And when everybody is off-guard, change your mind and run for president. Never mind if they call you a liar.

B. Set a personal example with visible, memorable symbols and behavior. The power of the right words and the appropriate acts at the proper time cannot be discounted. When faced with the specter of annihilation, bravely say: “If my opponents feel that the best thing for the nation is to tear it down, so be it on their part; but I’m focused on hope and the future, not on petty politics. I will focus on the people’s business. No one will deter me from that mission.” But make sure you don’t say it with tongue in your swollen cheek.

C. Instill optimism and self-confidence; stay grounded with reality. Remain optimistic in the face of daunting adversity, look at odds that are impossible, believe that it is possible to win, and convince others that you are right. For instance, if defeat at the polls stares you in the face, make a couple of well-placed calls that will ensure a “win.” Then tearfully admit on television that you should not have talked with an elections officer, but insist with righteous indignation that you have not influenced the results in a rigged canvass that would be conducted by your House allies anyway.

D. Take care of yourself; maintain your stamina and let go of guilt. There is an inherent tension between preserving one’s own well-being and accomplishing the objective at any cost. So, when an impudent reporter asks you how much sex you are getting notwithstanding the rigors of the job, you should at the bat of an eyelash immediately retort: “Plenty!”

E. Reinforce the team message constantly: “We live or die together.” This teamwork mantra is invoked whether or not the task calls for collaborative effort. For this, hire a glib-tongued spokesman who can say words to this effect: “Our leader calls upon the nation to leave behind (whatever scandal is current) and close ranks to meet the pressing challenges that we need to face together. Let us move on, and not be fixated in the events of the past; doing so would only guarantee a future of disruption, interrupted growth and overlooked opportunities.” And instruct him to wipe that shit-eating grin off his face when he says that.

F. Master conflict, deal with anger in small doses, and avoid needless power struggles. Conflict is a predictable component in the volatile mix of attitudes and emotions. It comes in many forms: direct arguments, disagreements, sabotage, and passive aggression. When street protests show no sign of letting up and pressure from the opposition continues, rely on the distasteful tendency of the public to eventually grow apathetic, even as you apply skills at confounding the body politic by distributing favors and cutting deals among allies and opponents alike.

G. Find something to celebrate and something to laugh about. Under extreme pressures, the ability to lighten up can make all the difference. When an oil spill destroys the biosphere of an island, take a full 13 days before commenting on it, have a photograph of yourself taken in another part of the island, taking care that the background reveals an idyllic beach framing your “What-me-worry?” face. And then airily announce that pinpointing responsibility could come later; meanwhile, keep those feathers and human hair coming plenty fast.

H. Be willing to take the big risk. Risk taking for its own sake should not be taken as a primary principle but as an alternative to take better chances for success. For example, when a hapless overseas Filipino worker truck driver gets shanghaied in Iraq, immediately order the withdrawal of the Philippine military contingent there, in exchange for the poor slob’s freedom. This will make you a heroic leader. And to hell with scathing rebukes from George W; he’ll need your fawning cooperation one of these days, anyway.

I. Never give up — there’s another move. Fear, physical exhaustion, and psychological weariness are integral parts of the journey faced by those at the limits of survival. You can always scream: “So, my faithful allies out there, what’s taking you so long to steamroll that resolution on charter change to enable me — and you as well — to stay in power for goodly number of unspecified years!”

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