The 13th edition of the National Leadership Retreat, also known in Kinyarwanda as Umwiherero, is underway in Gabiro.

As usual, it brings together top government technocrats to access progress of past resolutions (implementation and challenges met as well as reasons for non-performance).

What came out from the President’s opening speech was that some leaders only pay lip service to what was agreed upon and shelve the resolutions once back in their offices. As he put, it is time they got out of the stupor and roll up their sleeves and get back to work, not just get complacent because of the current achievements.

A leader should not have to be monitored to make sure he or she has implemented what was agreed upon, but maybe that is what is required. Some people perform best when someone is breathing down their necks, even though it should not be the case.

Many will be eager to highlight their successes, taking pride in their achievements while at the same time sweeping their failures under the carpet, out of view of the public glare.

A good leader should be ready to recognize their weaknesses and failures in order to give it the attention they deserve, if possible, coordinate with other entities to curb weakness that lead to poor performance.

The public has deep expectations from the current Umwiherero; that it will come up with more initiatives to further improve their way of life. Leaders should not let them down.