What Are The Qualities Needed By The Head of A State?

What are the qualities needed in the head of a State? The head of the State should first learn to master his senses before he can lay claim to master the populace. Only a person who has total control over his mind, thoughts and emotions is entitled to crown his head with the title of the head of the state.  Such a person should have total mastery over his thoughts, speech, behaviour and actions. In politics you are a public person at every stage. Your most innocuous remark in a casual setting could be misinterpreted if you are not careful and it could imperil the lives of many people and cause you a great deal of difficulty. Therefore, you have to be conscious of your eye gaze, the expressions on your face, your body language, your gait, the way you dress and carry yourself and the way you talk and conduct yourself.

But mastering oneself is a difficult task what since a human being has several emotions like fear, greed, lust, envy, hatred, pride, arrogance, conceitedness, selfishness, etc. Overcoming greed, fear and lust are the three most difficult emotions to overcome. But if you see things in the right perspective and develop the right thinking over time, maybe 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 years you can overcome these negative emotions. Attachment is another emotion that needs to be checked. One must realise that everything in this world is temporary and is subject to constant change.  If you realise that material or human beings are the source of temporary or fleeting sense of satisfaction and that everything must dissolve one day then you can come closer to saying goodbye to attachments. Learning to be happy with whatever little you have is another important quality which a public person must have.

Other important qualities that a public person requires is knowledge, vision and courage. A head of a state must have the necessary knowledge to run the complex affairs of the country. He must have a army of knowledge workers who synthesise data and information and help him to take the right decisions. Vision and mission is also important. A head of a state must know what he would like the country to be like, what direction the country should embark upon, what are the solutions to the country’s problems and how should he achieve his objectives. Finally, the last and the most important quality he needs is COURAGE with a big C. He must have the courage of conviction in the face of stiff opposition to his ideas. He must enter action with boldness and fearlessness. He must have the courage to do what is right and put his foot down on what is wrong. Only then can he look into the mirror and not hang his head in shame.