Doing things wrong has a very high cost

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has been criticised for the slow manner in which he was constituting his Cabinet.

There is a difference between taking time to do things right and procrastination.

Procrastination is very costly - its refusing to do things until there is a crisis and this often leads to a catastrophe. For example, the last minute rush by the Independent Electoral and Boudaries Commission to get BVR kits. I believe President Buhari wants to do things right.

Being a company’s chief executive officer, a leader or a President is not an easy task. However, there are two determinants of a successful leadership. First, one must have the will and intent to do things right. Secondly, those whom the leader governs must be ready for things to be done right. For the better part of Kenya’s history, we have paid a heavy price for doing things wrong. What is depressing is the fact that Kenya keeps doing things wrong.

From building sub-standard roads to adopting inappropriate public spending  and national debt management policies and appointing the wrong people to key public offices. Our country spends more money and time trying to correct the mess created.

Kenyans simply want things to be done right as espoused in the Constitution. The clamour for leaders to step aside after doing things the wrong way means there is good will from Kenyans.

The key to doing things right the first time is very simple - wide stakeholder consultations, listening to experts and foreseeing well in advance what needs to be done with a view to preparing for it. However, in most cases our thinking as leaders is clouded with nepotism, tribalism and desire to use shortcuts.