The Editor, Sir:

As the Jamaican people watched or listened to the culmination of the national debates on Saturday, August 11, we must agree that whether the issues proffered were properly ventilated or not, the debates provided an opportunity for the parties to communicate with clarity their vision for the development of the country as it relates to the social issues, the economy and leadership.

We judge the outcome of these debates, for the most part, on our orientation. The issues-oriented persons would be influenced by the clear articulation of that vision to make Jamaica a better and more progressive country while the diehard would remain sterile.

Much-anticipated debate

While all three sets of debaters had their critical areas to deal with, the much-anticipated debate was the one between the two persons aspiring to lead our country. The views are varied with respect to the person who spoke to the prospective voters with clarity and conviction of purpose. However, there is something that I continue to be disappointed with - to a far greater extent with one leader than the other - the individualistic approach to leadership - too many references to 'I' instead of 'we'.

It has long been shown that a team approach (together we achieve more) to leadership yields better results, and management practitioners can provide empirical evidence to substantiate this. While the leader takes ultimate responsibility for the action of his/her team members, the life of the organisation/institution should not revolve solely around any one individual.

Critical aspect

The national debates must remain as a critical aspect of our political landscape, and even if we may not be satisfied with aspects of the structure, these material/cosmetic changes can be made over time. We must congratulate all the stakeholders for making it a reality.

The next stage of the process would be to commission studies to measure the impact on the electorate. One objective of the debates must be to move our politics to the next level where it is the serious issues, like those enunciated in a debate, that determine how we elect our representatives. The study would quantify that impact.

Leadership of a country should and must never be emotive.

I am, etc.,

PAT BIGNALL

wilbig@cwjamaica.com