Shaukat Ali Jawaid
I have witnessed the birth and demise of a large number of medical institutions, professional specialty organizations during my professional life of over fifty years. Some met premature death before being properly conceived, some died during infancy, some reached to adulthood and then vanished while a few others have been a great success, are flourishing and thriving. They continue their academic and social activities. However, there is yet another group which has just managed to survive keeping a low profile. The latter group are those which are either one-man show or elects the same leadership with a few extras years after year. Prof. Javed Akram had once rightly pointed out that “Leadership should also have an expiry date”.
Success of any institution and organization depends to a great extent on the policy pursued by the founders, leadership. An intelligent leader must know the strength and weakness of the members and must be capable to not only entrust responsibilities but also get work out of them working as a team. The team spirit is extremely important. Yet another important issue is that no one should have a feeling of being left out, the leadership should pursue all inclusive policy, give respect to all which will then earn them respect. The leadership should be open to new ideas, innovations, not only listen to seniors but also give opportunity to the junior members. Listen to their viewpoint and at times many innovative ideas come from people at the bottom of the ladder. Welcome and appreciate constructive criticism which helps in improving the functioning of the institution, organization. However, it is also important to be careful about the “Botheren-e-Yousuf” who are all the time ready to lead the funeral prayers for the institution and organization where they work.
These are the strangers in academics or Lilliputians in the academic world. They all the time suffer from inferiority complex, failing to achieve something for themselves, they cannot see others progressing. If by chance they manage to occupy the coveted post, they lower the status of the institution, organization they are heading to suit their own academic, administrative stature. At times they also maneuver to get membership of “Tremendously empowered, ill-informed committees” where they play havoc. On the contrary if an intelligent academician is appointed to head an institution, he or she will go all out to bring in new talent, acquire the services of professionals and lead the institution, organization to greater heights. We see this happening every day in Pakistan.
These “Brotherene-e-Yousuf” deserve all the credit if we have failed to strengthen our institutions, organizations. It is their attitude that discourages many others who then leave such institutions, organizations and some even leave the country, thus we continue to lose talent which should get due respect, allowed to work with dignity in conducive comfortable working environment. However, one would like to commend those who despite such unfavorable, unfriendly hostile environment continue to work and serve in these organizations and thus playing their role in the progress and prosperity of the country. We can only pray that Allah Pak show the right path to these “Brotheren-e-Yousuf”.
