The art of listening

The art of listening

We are exalted by the recent statement of Dr. Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri. The professor from Gadjah Mada University said that our leaders need to learn the art of listening to the people.

He said the right to express one's opinion is stipulated in the 1945 Constitution. And the leaders need to know the aspirations of the people in order to make the right decisions.

An American scholar, John L. Derhammer, once said that a competent leader should be a good motivator and skilled in planning.

But he added that this is not enough. Secondary leaders, such as ministers, must not be power hungry and too eager to please the boss.

Leaders should understand that they cannot do anything without the support of their subordinates. They should also be capable of identifying those tasks under the domain of their personal responsibility and those under any collective responsibility.

Dr. Koesnadi did not mention such formidable requirements for our leaders. For the professor, perhaps, thinks that the fulfillment of the initial requirement, of listening, will suffice. This is so because by doing it leaders will readily exalt the sovereignty of the people.

-- Merdeka, Jakarta