5 ways companies can bring good governance

Good governance, that uber-cool American product we all want so badly, but never seem to be able to own. Here are five simple actions for corporate citizens to make the dream come true:

1. Stop inviting politicians for every opening

You built it, you organised it, you paid for it, then why do you need some politician to open it? You are either trying to return a favour or trying to ask for one. In either case you’ve violated the core principles of good governance. You might do it for publicity because there is always a herd of journalists tailing every politician. But in doing that you dilute the value of your own achievement because it proves that you need a politician to get attention. 

All those security drills, protocol drama, late arrivals, early departures and embarrassing speeches are really not worth the trouble. Worst of all you venerate them by offering them garlands and bouquets, expecting their blessings while lighting oil lamps, and placing them on a pedestal making them think they are the gods above you. So let the politicians do their job and open things that are built and organised with public money. Let them make a fool of themselves giving a two-hour speech at the ceremonial opening of a roadside gutter if they really want to.

2. Stop asking for favours

Don’t call politicians to clear your cargo, approve your tenders, pass your BOI projects, a job for your daughter, get your driver’s licence back from a traffic policeman, or for any special treatment. There is no point in having corporate values like honesty, fairness and transparency printed on your walls and annual reports, if you are asking for special treatment from politicians. 

It’s ridiculous how some top level CEOs boast about their ability to call their politician friend anytime on their phone and ask for anything, and then talk about how ‘good’ that politician is. That’s the opposite of good governance. Have the courage to decline appointments of any sort if you have not followed the standard selection procedure. It’s a terrible thing to be under obligation to a politician. It only shows how weak you are. So let the politicians do their job in fairness to all; you know like in ‘good governance’.

3. Stop doing favours

Political friends are only a nuisance to your business. You invite them to something, you get invited back to their parties, you ask for a favour, and that’s pretty much the end of your independence. They’ll want a lot more from you. Sponsorships to build a public toilet, to print tons of posters in the next election and sometimes even sexual favours. Don’t build any personal friendships with politicians. Distance yourself and your company’s brand from politicians. Have the courage to say “No” to any request which does not follow the standard government procurement procedure. Let the politicians do their job and find the right solutions, the right way to deliver their public service.

4. Demand results

If you are not under obligation to politicians, then you can start demanding results. You appoint politicians to deliver public service. You appoint them, you pay for their salaries, you pay for their fuel bills, you pay for their SUVs, because you want them to deliver public services to you and everybody else. So you have the complete authority to question their inefficiencies in building roads, cleaning gutters, servicing public utilities and regulating the economy. 

Criticise them at every chance you get so that they are reminded of their duty to deliver quality results on time. Use social media to name and shame. Hold them accountable for every little thing they promised to deliver. Send them official letters asking for updates and express your disappointment in their incompetence. Do not settle for less.

5. Always 

distrust politicians

Start with the assumption that “all politicians are inherently corrupt, immoral and stupid, until proven otherwise”. As we have seen throughout the history, past success does not guarantee future success. Elite schooling is not proof of professionalism, and academic credentials are not proof of achievement. When it comes to politicians, ‘experience’ usually works counter-intuitively. The longer a politician has been in power, the more corrupt he or she would be because staying in power for long requires Machiavellian behaviour. 

Stop taking selfies with them, they’re not celebrities. They are not superheroes as they often fantasise and sometimes pretend to be on media. So stop boosting their ego. Whenever they actually deliver results, they are not doing us a favour because that’s exactly what they are paid to do. 

I know what you are thinking, this all sounds like wishful thinking because even if you follow these principles, many others will not, and they will make use of the opportunity. Therein lies the real problem. If the educated, experienced and influential members of society are unable to live up to good governance, how can you expect others to deliver it? If you truly believe in good governance, then stop expecting politicians to bring it, and start living up to its principles. Make your business a force for good.