Republic Journal

On a recent trip abroad, while I was relaxing in the departure lounge, I glanced around to find that most people were glued to electronic devices, hardly chatting, just watching that small screen. Twenty years ago, the scenario would’ve been so different.

"I would like to start by saying a very special welcome to the delegates who have joined us today representing a wide range of industries from around the Caribbean including Guyana and Suriname and from Ghana."

In recent times, the word ‘leadership’ has become synonymous with many a varied connotation. The global political climate is under intense scrutiny, fueled by an outpouring of almost daily breaking news from the United States. It’s impossible not to question how such headlines, and the subsequent responses from those in a position of power, can affect us on a psychological level.

Within the last decade, one of the biggest topics to emerge in the global conversations about the future of business and society is Leadership. Rightfully so, as there seems to be no shortage of incidences of poor leadership, the stories of how they have cost millions, and worst of all, how bad (but possibly well-intentioned) decisions have irrevocably affected the lives of millions.

When the price of oil fell from an annual average of US$93 per barrel in 2014 to US$49 in 2015 and then to US$43 in 2016, severe consequences were imposed on the domestic economy, which were exacerbated by the fall in gas and oil output during the period. The direct effect was a significant fall in revenue from the energy sector, which in turn led to a contraction in GDP, the deterioration of public finances and increased unemployment.