I recently watched the movie about ‘Zhu Enlai’ on a China Southern flight and I could help but admire the film documenting his visit to Boyan county in Hebei province. The main takeaway of the movie has been how to be a politician beloved by people, while putting your leadership skills on view of the people. The key attribute of him, or rather, a good politician, has to be ‘Be one with the people’.
At the same time, I did recall during 2020 elections of a senior USDP candidate (an ex-minister) walking around a ward in Nay Pyi Taw, with his entourage. His assistant was shadowing him with an umbrella as he waved to the villagers from afar, not talking, meeting or shaking hands with them. And we wondered why he lost in the 2020 elections!
Join the grassroots
Zhu Enlai reached the grassroots by touring the village himself, talking to varied demographics, from young to old. He went into their houses, their small barren kitchens, and ate together with them whatever little food they had. The whole village is under the risk of starvation (the great leap backward!) And he helped secure sweet potato seedlings to ensure they have enough food for the coming winter. Besides solving their immediate issue, he joined them hands on planting these sprouts in the rain.
Not joining the grassroots would not make you a good politician that people want to vote for. If you can prove that you can resolve whatever little issue that they might have, you might have won their hearts too. Joining them in their struggles would have earned their respects and mind too. Most of the now-defunct NLD party candidates are very adapt at showing this off.
Getting the truth out
One of the reasons of USDP downfall in 2015 was attributed to the complacency of President Thein Sein due to his reliance on the information from USDP headquarters, especially from its deputy chairman, that the party would likely won 80% of the votes. The information or, rather the prediction, turned out to be totally false. USDP secured only half of that, failing to get the majority in the Parliament.
Hence, the need to figure out the facts yourself. From healthcare of the people, to food and water sufficiency, to the needs of the children and the elders, Zhu figured these out himself. Later on, even Deng Xiaopeng said ‘We must seek the truth from facts’, in 1976. Just as in ancient times, if the King asked its councillors, if the country was doing well, who would be brave and/or stupid enough to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Hence it is the King’s duty to send out his trusted assistants to the countryside to get the facts out. Sometimes, the King disguises as a commoner to figure the truth out himself.
Even in present day Myanmar, all its leaders and government ministers may not have all the hard truths presented to them. They would have electricity in their homes 24 by 7. How would they know the real power supply situation in Yangon! Most of their daily groceries would be supplied by the government or associates for free. How would they know how much groceries prices have gone up? Their cars are filled up by staff and government budget. How would they know how long the people have to queue up for fuel or how expensive the fuel have become?
Ministers/Directors/managers will always cover up some or all of the bad news, sometimes not to look bad and sometimes, perhaps not to give problems for leadership. Those ministers, directors and advisors surrounding the leaders may not have the gut or love for the country to present the leadership with facts. Hence, it become even more important to get the truth from actual facts, no matter what.
Empathy and sympathy
Obviously people whom you want to represent would be worse off than yourself in various live attributes. Showing empathy and sympathy towards them would carry you far in your campaign to get votes. Zhu noticed villagers having to carry water by cart from 10 mile away. He took immediate action to address that. He blamed himself for not being able to provide the basic necessities and apologised to the people. He addressed people by their names and sincerely listen to their concerns. Eating bad food together with them showed them that their suffering is his suffering.
A would-be politician must definitely express empathy and sympathy towards his constituents. Ignore this at your own risk.
Relating to the people
The book on ‘Influence’ said relating to the people can be a way of gaining influence over them. Zhu related to the villagers who were born on the same year of the Ox, as him.
Forms of relations we can use include the birth place, the schools that we used to study, the work places, the language, race, jobs, etc. You relate to them and you be one of them.
Integrity
In the movie, Zhu was shown refusing a postage stamp from a girl, whose father has collected from the Qing dynasty. The virtue of integrity would travel far in the hearts and minds of the people.
Wife effect
Having a complementary spouse also helps. Mdm Deng Yeng Chow contributed to the aura of Zhu as a people’s person by she herself showing care for the people and contributing to his works.
Inspire people into solving their own problems
Inspire people through the need to raise standards, compete internationally and through highlighting the story of Myanmar’s glorious past. Get them to sort out local issues among themselves. Every one will have a chance to correct his mistakes, but you cannot make mistakes again and again.
At the end of the day, Myanmar is an agricultural country, the prosperity of it depends on the leadership understanding and excelling at this! Agricultural and livestock experts must provide necessary training for farmers and as a leader, you as a leader, have to make this happen.
