One’s leadership is tested when confronted with tough decisions. ESFNA’s leadership is at a crossroads. The decision in front of them makes or breaks the organization. It is going to leave a positive or negative scar in the history of the organization.
The decision? They have to make a quick decision, by tomorrow, whether to allow the newly named Prime Minister of Ethiopia- Dr. Abiy Ahmed, to address the Diaspora community at this year’s annual event in TX.
By the way, if the info I got is correct, it wasn’t ESFNA that initiated the invite. The PM himself took the initiative. He deserves appreciation for taking this historic and bold gesture!
Past leaders despised the Diaspora because of its firm stand about Ethiopians unity and its fight against repression and lack of democracy back home in Ethiopia. Unlike his predecessors, however, Abiy chose to reach out. This by itself regardless of the final decision ESFNA reaches is a massive milestone in Ethiopian politics!
That being said, here are a couple of facts. Though I don’t have the accurate statistics, from what I’ve read on social media in the past couple of days, Ethiopians in the US are divided on the issue. Some are advocating for his invitation while others oppose it. Both parties have strong positions and arguing based on the higher purpose of the organization and one of its internal regulations, respectively.
Ethiopians who are quoting the mission of ESFNA are saying that since the organization’s purpose is “Bringing Ethiopians together” and Dr. Abiy promotes Ethiopians unity, love, tolerance, and forgiveness among Ethiopians, he should be allowed to address the gathering when he visits the US. On the other hand, those who oppose the idea are quoting one of the internal regulations that prevent inviting politicians as guests. The latter argue that he is the chairman of the ruling party that ESFNA should be nonpartisan and refrain from showing favoritism to any political party. Of course, others counter-argue about the last statement by saying that though Abiy is the chairman of EPRDF, he is appearing at the event as the leader of the Ethiopian state, in his Prime Minister office.
There are many other forceful arguments from both sides, which I’m not covering for the sake of space limitation.
For your info, one of the themes I covered in my third book entitled “Soft Skills That Make or Break Your Success” was problem-solving and making tough decisions. From my experience as a workshop facilitator for some government agencies, major corporations, and community organizations on the same theme, I shared some insights, models, and approaches in the book on how to tackle problems like the one ESFNA leadership is facing. By the way, when I coach leaders, I don’t tell them what they should decide. My job is helping them gain clarity to make the right decision. It’s not my place, as a coach, to suggest what I think personally is right.
One of the most common challenges leaders face is making choices between two rights- Right Vs. Right. It’s easy to choose right from wrong. What would you do when you have two seemingly right choices like ESFNA is confronted with?
I encourage ESFNA’s leadership to do their homework and also take away emotion. You should be rational. Use your value as a barometer to make the right decision. For that to happen, nonetheless, you should avoid making a hasty decision. ESFNA’s leadership should first gather enough data to fully understand the issue, employ critical analysis, consult key stakeholders, sit down and brainstorm, and finally, make the RIGHT decision you and the coming generation leaders won’t regret.
At the end of the day, the question is whether the leadership should side with its purpose (mission) or the internal regulation. Which one should override? Is it the mission or the internal regulation that should take precedence? Which value (s) of ESFNA should dictate the final decision?
Of course, the decision should not be binary – Yes or No. During the brainstorming session, some of the leaders should come up with alternative options (middle grounds) that may satisfy both sides.
If you were one of the leaders of ESFNA, what would be your decision? Why?
Dr. Assegid Habtewold is an organizational and leadership expert and author, and the founder of PRO Leadership Global (www.proleadership.org). Assegid can be reached at: ahabtewold@yahoo.com
Notice: Reports, rebuttals, analyses, press releases and/or recommendations offered by the author/s or organization/s do not necessarily reflect that of Goolgule: Amharic Internet Newspaper’s stand.
Dr. Abiy is nothing more than a guy whose mere mission is to divide the diaspora Ethiopian’s. He could have done a lot more than just release those “prisoners” who should not have been imprisoned to begin with. If he really want to earn the respect fromm the diaspora Ethiopians he first dismantle the TPLF agazi army and everything he’s been asked to do before even consdieting to talk about meeting with diasporas let alone messing with ESFNA a place where it was meant to be free of political views.
I don’t see Dr. Abiy is dividing diaspora. It takes time to restore faith. 28 years of distraction can not be corrected and mended in 60 days.
We know what he should do first but the speed and order of it must be thought carefully in order to progress towards democratization of Ethiopia.
This is the right time to be part of the change for what’s happening right now.
I think it will be good if ESFNA accepted his request. We are living 21st century. We need to change our attitude and open our minds & heart for forgiveness and forget approach.
We cannot live for ever by blaming all the past.
Let us encourage what Dr. Abiy’s action even if it too little too late.
We (specially Diaspora community at large must understand deeply what is going on around the world (e.g the two Korian issues, we are watching what happing in Syrian people) do not forget what was happened at Rwanda, the current Somalia & Yemen situation. Ethiopia is a lucky country we are not at least facing those countries situation.ONLY GOD protect Ethiopia and its peace loving people.
Our historical enemies try to support our own brother and sisters organised TPLF & ELF destroyed Ethiopia for the last 40 years. We must learn from this hidden activities.
Please please let us weak up and make Ethiopia proud and create & facilitate a venue for rapid political change and fast economic development by investing our resources money, knowledge and skills.
I am sure we have the capacity to do this.
Thank you all who read my comment
Let’s stand together with the progress Dr. Abiy has achieved in his position since he took over from HD. Let’s not forget that he is surrounded by TPLF and he can’t do the job alone without we are part of it. This is the time to be part of it and change the path Ethiopia shall take to restore peace and prosperity.
It is a big opportunity for diaspora to have Dr. Abiy in TX. I am sure he will be the right person to have in TX on right time and he will unit Ethiopian diaspora more and will change everyone’s mind.
Let’s be part of it and let’s make the changes happen together without going through what other countries went through like Rwanda, Burundi . . .