Leaders remind people what is important, but first they have to remind themselves, through carefully managed intentions.
– Warren Bennis, American author
The word ‘etuu’ in Kelabit is pronounced like the English words ‘err’ + ‘two’ put and said together. As in the phrase “to err is human, to forgive divine”. This post uses the word ‘etuu’ as the closest equivalent of the English word ‘gravitas’, that special quality that marks a person as having what it takes to be a good leader.
The idea is to use ‘etuu’ as the central concept or core idea that links the narrative about what are generally perceived as positive attributes of good leadership or the defining manifestations of a person of substance. Literally, the word ‘etuu’, means “sign, trait, symbol, marking, indicator, evidence, “and such other words which are synonymous with or having similar meanings to the same class of words.
Having gravitas at work or in any human undertaking means one is taken seriously, one’s contributions are considered important, and one is trusted and respected to deliver the results. For instance, a football player with gravitas is the game maker or one who keeps the whole team together and is a key player that makes a win possible. Gravitas increases the person’s ability to persuade and influence and is likely to fuel the extent to which he impacts a team or an organisation that he is leading.
Some have it, others just don’t have it or enough of it. It can be difficult to put a finger on it or to explain “gravitas.” It tends to be one of those “you-know-it-when-you-see-it” qualities. It’s that certain something that makes a great leader. That special quality that draws people to the person. One way to look at it is to think of someone, historical figure, traditional leader, known personality, a team captain, or someone who is greatly admired for their leadership and achievements.
You can’t really define it, but you know it is there. The ‘etuu’ or gravitas is a sense of seriousness and gravity in exhibiting leadership roles that’s conducted with grace, dignity and poise. “Charisma” is one word that brings a close resemblance to it, but it is more than that. When you can fit someone in this image, you will get the picture of what ‘etuu’ or gravitas means.
For the Kelabits, they have traditional songs of adoration or praise for an individual (the hero or heroine in the tale) as in songs like the ‘adih’, ‘lakuh’, ‘nuk belaan’, ‘sedarir’, ‘benging’, and such other traditional forms or recitations. In these different forms, a word of praise or worthy adjective or description would be referred to, and repeated many times, in the song or narration to amplify or signify the person’s noble attributes and good character. Alternatively, a synonym of it or similar words are used to portray that one or more lauded and noble attributes of the person made the subject of the song of praise.
So, the subject of this post is the exploration of those general qualities or attributes that produces the ‘etuu’ of people which the majority accepts as the desired qualities. For instance, everyone likes people who are pleasant and kind, who are full of care and sincerity, or such other qualities that we consider admirable, especially in the context of leadership settings – whether formal or informal, and in the context of community living or the given society. In other words, we are looking for the ‘etuu’ (as defined earlier) of leadership or the qualities of good leadership.
Secondly, people tend to overlook the occasional negative traits and assume that these are mere aberrations, and not of character. People prefer to give the person the benefit of the doubt, especially if the person already holds a position of authority or leadership. Incumbency has its advantages, it seems.
Sometimes, there are some people who occupy formal leadership positions who lack the leadership qualities that we expect of them. The reverse can be equally true, where a person without the formal position often displays class acts and nerves of steel that shows true leadership qualities.
For example, the proverbial shepherd boy who displays courageous acts and selflessness to defend his flock of sheep in the face of attacks by a fierce predator or against rustlers and animal thieves. Or someone who saves or rescues someone in the face of certain danger, and so on. Or in could be the individual who patiently perseveres in the face of personal difficulties, overwhelming odds and challenges, or suffering some form of afflictions that put them at a disadvantage when compared to others.
Yet, despite these conditions, their true and noble character shines brightly through like a lamp in the darkness of night.
(POEM ON LEADER)
The True Leader
By Maya_Green
Have you ever wondered,
what makes a great leader?
If all leaders were to be gathered,
who will be the decider?
Who are the greats?
Some say Mao, Hitler, Churchill, or Mussolini,
Or maybe, Lennon, Rasputin, or Gandhi
But all of them are now dead!
We are not decided.
Maybe, we’ll pick a nameless kid
from some unnamed valley?
Whose job is nothing much
but tending only to his flocks!
Ya, nothing really but just humble serving
Serving each and every animal
under his care
And in his humility he expects nothing
Nothing from his wards
Nothing at all!
But as for their welfare and safety
he’ll guard it with his life!
Putting himself in the line of danger
From the wolves and jackals
Or the occasional lion!
For such is a true leader,
the humble and simple shepherd boy!
He’ll beat all of the so called great leaders
that history’s narrative seeks to portray.
A distorted view hoisted
Upon a sleeping public,
Over and over again, across the ages
A sad song, really
Like a broken vinyl record
Taken from some dusty attic!
Others perform acts of charity that astounds us because of the humanity and beautiful spirit that is demonstrated. It helps to humble us and opens our eyes to the realm of higher consciousness and true humanity.
That essence is inherent in each and everyone but often relegated to back realm of consciousness, like something being unceremoniously consigned to the cold and dark freezer our innermost being. All because we entertain our base desires and instincts, or we ignore he humanity in our fellow beings.
Last week, during a casual conversation after a game of golf, one of my Chinese friends told me the story of man in Sibu whose five children all qualified as doctors and specialist doctors and are all practising successfully outside the country.
This person still tends to his vegetable shop or stall at the Sibu Central Market, itself the largest such market of its kind in Sarawak and a favourite tourist destination in Sibu. If what this person has achieved is not classified as a ‘class act’ I don’t know what would. Being able to raise, educate and provide potential guidance and leadership to five successful children is no mean feat.
Despite his success, “he remains humble and walks around in slippers, tending to his stall” – as put in the words of my friend. I am sure we are all aware of similar success stories. Personally, I know of parents of very successful people who remained their true selves their whole lives and not let their success get to their heads.
There is always a deed, action or characteristic that the person displays which shows that he or she has demonstrated a ‘class act’ or a standard of behaviour distinctly above the rest or the norm. Someone who is generally intelligent and wise is often said as someone who ‘has a good head on their shoulders or ‘somehow has their head screwed on the right way!’
One of the fundamental traits which tends to be overlooked is a person’s overall demeanour or characteristic. For example, it is always uncomfortable being around people who are nervous and stressed, or people who are volatile and fractious, always creating waves and disharmony, creating conflicts and fanning tensions wherever they are.
They like to instigate fights and foster dissensions, pandering to narrow, selfish interests and generally disregarding the welfare or wellbeing of others except their own or their supporters.
So, it’s not surprising that we admire people who are the opposite – the calm, composed and self-possessed ones. People who are in control of their emotions and who are magnanimous and inclusive.
In traditional societies where harmony and calm, and steady hands are preferred, and valued, people who are able to keep their calm in difficult circumstances, and who are emotionally strong and stable are well respected and sought after.
They are seen as natural leaders who stand up heads and shoulders above the rest. They are like a beacon of light for all people, far and near. Natural leaders of man. People go to them for guidance and counselling.
Being accessible and having the patience and magnanimity to advise and guide others, does not mean that such leaders are soft or weak, having have to deal with issues and work out the problems of the people in the community. On the contrary, it is because of their strength of character and sense of true mission, that they are not easily provoked or discouraged. Their sincerity, and reservoir of patience and sense of tolerance is must deeper than most. These traits are born of their character and from their innermost being.
Some people are always composed, or self-possessed and always calm and in control of their emotions. We use phrases like ‘cool as cucumber’ and, more informally, ‘a cool customer’ who is always calm and able to keep calm in difficult circumstances.
I once had a classmate in Law School who was the epitome of cool, and calm. I never saw him crossed or expressing any sense of exasperation, or panic. Perhaps, in my calculation, a perfect demeanour and trait very suited to his role as one of the top judges in the country. We used to call him the ‘cool joe’ or the ‘cool one’ in our group.
On a similar topic, we can describe people who do exciting or dangerous things that many of us would find scary as adventurous or intrepid, as being brave. The trait of bravery is seen as something positive. We might even say that a person ‘has nerves of steel.’ We might describe someone who is strong both physically and emotionally as a ‘tough cookie’ or in English as someone who is ‘tough as old boots’ or ‘tough as nails’.
Whatever the attribute we take as being positive in the context of a given group or community, it is interesting to note that some have it while others do not. Some have more and others less of it. These ‘etuu’ are the attributes that make us. They reflect our true character and worth. They speak of us to the wider audience, to the whole world. So beware the ‘etuu’ for it portrays the true you. It is your brand.
