Tui Atua should be the leader of Samoa

Dear Editor

Re: Tofaeono says “I would never follow a weak leader who cries.”

When 20 children were murdered at Newtown in a U.S. elementary school, President Obama while speaking to America on the media blinked and paused perhaps trying to fight back tears. 

He paused again to wipe away tears as he then altered “Every time I think about those kids, it gets me mad.” He called on Americans to stand together to stop gun violence.

Tupua Tamasese has expressed his hurt, as he had spent time contemplating the new law, he realised new found sympathy for the cause to revisit the customary land issue.

His sadness is not of a result of victims of a massacre but of the lack of love for our Tagata by those in a position of power. His address was an emotional moment that was inspiring because it felt real and it connected.

In the beginning, I mentioned Obama; it was a story in an article on Inc. written by Ms. Buchanan. It was called “When It’s OK for Obama (or Any Leader) to Cry, the President’s emotional display is a sign of strength” she referred to Obama’s reaction on media about the gun massacre in the Newtown Elementary School in 2012. She wrote, “We want our leaders to be stronger and smarter than we are, but no less human.” In a research by the American Psychological Association, she continued, “People cry in response to strong emotions, and leaders often speak publicly when feelings run high. It’s surprising, really, that they don’t cry more often onstage or on-camera. Even if leaders don’t choke up before us, statistics suggest they sob in private.”

“It can be galvanizing when our political leaders manifest universal grief-; or joy, though such moments are, sadly, rare. Soaring oratory inspires us. But words are, in the end, just words. Tears are primal and-; onion invective notwithstanding-; tears are true.”

“Tears can strengthen rather than dilute forceful calls for action.” 

“Showing empathy and vulnerability makes a leader seem stronger, not weaker,” says John Gerzema, C.E.O. of  B.A.V. Consulting, a specialist in branding. Gerzema’s book The Athena Doctrine: How Women (and the Men Who Think Like Them) Will Rule the Future argues that people increasingly prefer leaders who demonstrate feminine traits and values rather than tough, alpha qualities associated with men. Emotional displays that would once have raised eyebrows now moisten eyeballs as people mirror the sentiments of their recognizably human leaders. Such displays are “particularly powerful when it’s someone who doesn’t usually do that, like Obama,” says Gerzema. (The characterization “No-Drama Obama” is used both to praise and criticize the President.)”

There is no need to hold back sad or sentimental feelings. 

I would rather follow a leader who is honest and true and who can inspire with righteousness than an emotionless one – robotic and useless. 

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, a man of much wisdom is the leader for Tagata Samoa.

 

T.A. Mativa

Samoa Observer

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