OpEd by Audley Astwood
Former premier, Sharlene Cartwright Robinson has been publicly discussing leadership transition, drawing a self-portrait of flawless leadership. She is all for passing the baton to the next leader and even warns what goes wrong when the baton is not passed.
However, a closer look reveals a clear contrast between her words and deeds, particularly about her successor within the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Honourable (Hon.) Edwin Astwood. Despite her frequent emphasis on enabling new leaders, her actions tell a different story.
She has maintained a high-profile presence, often overshadowing the current PDM leader, with her weekly contributions to public discourse. This glaring contradiction between her rhetoric and actions calls for a critical examination.
Robinson's Contradiction Between Words and Deeds
A clear contrast emerges from Robinson's idealised portrayal of leadership transition to its actual implementation within the PDM. Robinson's public statements often highlighted the importance of a smooth leadership transition. It's a commendable stance that reflects a mature understanding of political cycles and the necessity of nurturing future leaders. However, her actions tell a different story. The transition to Astwood’s leadership seems driven more by political necessity than deliberate mentorship and grooming. This observation shows Robinson's refusal to pass the baton to Hon. Astwood.
Leadership Requires Insight and Wisdom
Leadership demands insight and wisdom, particularly in politics. It also requires the wisdom to know when to step aside. This is a lesson many leaders have embraced. Past leaders understand that the future of their legacies and their parties does not depend on their permanent presence. Their legacy is determined by their ability to nurture new leaders.
Unfortunately, Robinson’s actions suggest a departure from this understanding. Rather than fading gracefully from the political forefront to mentor her successor, she has maintained an evident presence.
She continues to overshadowing the current PDM leader with regular contributions to public discourse. She is even giving interviews to foriegn media on the American amunition controversy as if she still speaks on behalf of the PDM.
Questions on Robinson's Sincerity and Effectiveness
Questions arise regarding the sincerity and effectiveness of Robinson's stated intentions. Was her public persona as a mentor and a leader who values continuity merely a pretence, or was it a genuine but poorly executed ambition?
The gap between her advocacy and preparations for Astwood's succession suggests a disconnect beyond personal failure, touching on systemic issues within the PDM's culture and operational norms under her leadership.
Historical Context and Omissions
Robinson's narrative omits significant episodes that might tarnish the image of past PDM leaders. She fails to mention the political turmoil following Oswald Skippings' tenure as leader, when he also faced monumental challenges that resulted in TCI being bankrupt two years after taking office, leading to a disastrous early election for the PDM. This critical period tested the party's resilience and leadership, and its lessons seem unheeded in her public reflections.
Complexity of Robinson's Legacy
Though historic, Robinson's tenure as the first female premier concluded with the PDM suffering its most severe defeat ever, a detail noticeably absent from her narrative.
This selective recounting extends to her leadership style, which many have described as driven by vindictiveness, highlighted by the so-called "Great PDM Purge of 2016," where foundational members were unceremoniously ousted. Such actions hardly embody the gracious passing of the baton she writes about. Adding to the complexity of her legacy is the alleged close rapport with the former governor, which many compared to an overly friendly alliance.
This raises serious questions about her independence and leadership strength, implying a lack of assertiveness in her decision-making. This perception did little to ease concerns about her prioritising personal and political allegiances over the broader needs of the TCI. This crucial aspect is lacking in Robinson's narrative.
Commitment to Honest Leadership Transition
For a genuine leadership transition, it's not enough to talk about passing the baton; Robinson must actively prepare the next leader to take it. This involves stepping back to allow Astwood to grow and offering guidance without overshadowing. It also entails reflecting honestly on one's tenure and openly acknowledging successes and failures. This commitment to honest leadership transition is not just a suggestion; it's a necessity for the future of the PDM. The urgency for a genuine leadership transition cannot be overstated.
Integrity in Storytelling
A true leader’s narrative should not merely be a highlight reel of their best moments but a candid acknowledgement of their entire career, warts and all. Only then can the lessons of the past truly enlighten the path forward for future leaders.
This integrity in storytelling is not just beneficial for historical accuracy; it's essential for fostering a political culture rooted in honesty and constructive development, another crucial aspect lacking in Robinson's narrative.
The selective recounting of her tenure raises concerns about the transparency and honesty of her narrative. It's vital to stress the importance of acknowledging successes and failures in leadership, as it not only ensures a balanced evaluation but also invokes a sense of responsibility in the audience.
Audley Astwoodnis a former Communications Officer for the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force
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