In this paper, I am going to discuss the article “Ukraine’s most popular politician” written by Maxim Tucker and published on Politico.eu two days ago. The main idea that revolves around in the presented article is the implication of the political leadership in practice, followed by the example of the former Georgian President Michael Saakashvili.
First of all, taking into consideration that Ukraine crisis poses critical political issues not only within the country but throughout the EU as the responsive supranational body towards the event, the need for the leadership was apparent. Therefore, the current President of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko appointed a former Georgian President to the region of strategic importance in the country. The latter demonstrated explicitly the meaning and the need of the leadership, and therefore was named as “Ukraine’s most popular politician’ for the package of reforms introduced in the region.
The new reality for leadership is the ability to adjust to the political and managerial changes in a flexible manner. In the case of Saakashvili, one may note how a personality coming from the foreign background (he is of Georgian origin), and coming from the different reality of political leadership, manages to communicate his skills and proposed actions to the general public. The new reality regarding political leadership in that case also applies to accountability, as one may note a constant contact with the constituency in the region, besides the rapid process of carrying out the reforms in the region. When one analyzes the persona of Saakashvili from the perspective of political leadership, it is rather obvious that ambition and communication not only with the Ukrainian government but also with the people of the country are always present.
Among traits, behaviours and relationships as a leader one may often note that people expect from him the sense of being heard and close to their need in political terms. In fact, the growing popularity of the political star is ensured by everyday activities, average citizens would engage. Specifically, one may note the trend towards making selfies with the people, always flying in an economy class while carrying out business trips, visiting people in distant areas. By doing so, he erases the hierarchical relationships between the people of the political elite and regular citizens, which is crucial in leadership. However, what is the most important a leader does, is to keep the promises. A rather stable rate and a positive attitude towards Michael Saakashvili is also ensured by “Odesa Package reforms”. In other words, he belongs to politicians who are accountable and mindful to the people he serves. What’s more, Saakashvili has a strong team of his followers who openly provide positive feedback in regards to carrying out reforms. Indeed, in that regard one may also find the moral courage and moral leadership, as accountability and a moral category of truth do combine when it comes to leadership in the way of governance as well.
There is certainly a strong motivation and empowerment in the decision to receive the citizenship of Ukraine and give up on the national identity. In other words, the political was motivated to give up careers in the public sector and state advising and instead stepped into the job that makes direct changes on the lives of people.
The leadership communication is supported by the means of social media, where Ukraine’s most famous politician informs the people in the process of carrying out reforms. Also, his team members reach out seniors by making direct visits from house to house and illustrating the visible changes throughout the region.
- Tucker, M. (2015). Ukraine’s most popular politician. POLITICO. Retrieved 5 November 2015, from http://www.politico.eu/article/ukraines-mikhail-saakashvili-most-popular-politician/
- Henderson, J. (2013). Searching for Ethics in Social Media. Journal Of Mass Media Ethics, 28(3), 217-219. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08900523.2013.805570
