Reflections on Leadership and Governance in Jamaica : Towards a Better Society

This book is a compendium of newspaper columns, which were initially written for general public discourse and published in Jamaica s two main daily newspapers, the Jamaica Observer and the Jamaica Gleaner. These contributions may best be described as reflections and commentaries on issues of public interest. The book focuses on issues of leadership and governance and explores issues of accountability, crime, corruption, decision making, integrity, political maturity and renewal, and transparency. The explorations are undertaken with a view to identifying solutions to some of the problems that Jamaica faces. It is important to note that the book is not intended to be prescriptive but explorative. This work is a critique of leadership and governance practices, and uses as a reference point some specific practice or set of practices. Each chapter explores a set of issues, ideas, or behaviours which relate to how Jamaica is being led and governed, and offers critiques or suggestions which imply or point to some alternatives. Thus, the book seeks to use challenges and controversies identified to make a case for how new levels of leadership and better modes of governance may be pursued. The purpose of this book is to contribute to ongoing public discourse on matters that are at the heart of who we are as a country, the standards to which we hold our leaders, the kind of service we expect from those who serve, and the kind of future we wish for our children. It is for these reasons that the articles were first published in the form that they were, as it is in those spaces that the ordinary person finds access easiest. Both the ruling Andrew Holness administration and the opposition party led by Peter Phillips are placed in the spotlight in what I hope is an equitable, even if non-equivalent, manner. The areas of public leadership that this book explores are not limited to politics, and politicians have not been singled out for criticism. Indeed, I would contend that all leaders, including the writer, have been criticized in one way or the other. This book is therefore not intended to be a finger-pointing piece but rather is designed for collective reflection and self-criticism using specific incidents to highlight the need for reflection, engagement, renewal, self-criticism and a call for a higher form of leading. Thus, in addition to political leaders and the political processes, the justice system, the education system, the private sector, the church have all been included as part of the conversation on how we can lead in more accountable, morally courageous, transparent, and uplifting ways.