Charisma has always been a means to popular politics as it opens possibilities and opportunities for many leaders not just in the Naga context, but around the world as well. While some are able to capitalise on their natural charisma as a stepping stone to demonstrate other human qualities, but for some, charisma is all they have. Indeed, strategists spend enormous time and resources shaping and creating the public image of political leaders, with the hope to grasp and ensnare public imagination. Perhaps, it is one of the reasons why perception itself has become politics.
In a time where technology has rapidly progressed, and news is reduced to sound bytes, the value of charisma has sharply increased in a world caught up with the power of images. Similarly, citizens who a few years ago were uninterested and indifferent to the social and political conditions are now being awakened and are rediscovering the desire to secure a better life. They are no longer satisfied with the present conditions. Furthermore, members of the public no longer wish to be complacent receivers, rather they aspire to become participants in the making and establishing of a new reality of life. In essence, the public are now seeking active participation and ownership over their future.
In this sense, the public realise the urgent need to look beyond just the charismatic aura and public image of their political leaders. They are craving for leaders with values to lead in building a just society that will enrich the quality of their lives. Yet, overcoming the public image has been a dilemma because of the constant interplay between the personal and the public lives of people holding public positions. The fluid relationship and nature of the private and professional sphere of life is compounded by a media that is constantly creating and reiterating an established perception founded more on form, rather than content. Edward L Flom expresses this dilemma eloquently in the statement, “One of the hardest tasks of leadership is understanding that you are not what you are, but what you’re perceived to be by others.”
No matter how Naga leaders present themselves, they need to realize that it’s the public perception of them that matters to the people. The Naga public today is much more engaging and aware of the realities surrounding them. The Naga public can no longer be taken for granted since their opinions and perceptions shape social realities on the ground and are no longer willing to be just passive receivers. The Naga leaders – present and future – who rely on their public image and name, must dig deep into themselves and rediscover qualities that will enable them to be leaders with integrity and more importantly produce results that makes a difference in people’s lives.
