I have seen alot of you Posters genuinely expressing your emotions against Somare and his leadership on this site (sometimes to the extent of calling him names etc). But one fact that stands out is that nowhere have I seen any of you expressing disdain over your open and regional MPs for giving Somare this power to be PM. I mean, PNG is a democracy and the leadership and power Somare enjoys has to come from the people by way of their elected representatives. Most of your open and regional MPs give Somare this power to rule. Therefore, if you guys put the heat on Somare, your members will continue to support Somare because they will not feel threatened to maitain their position in their electorate. Of course Somare knows you guys don't vote for him so he will be stubborn. But once the electorate criticizes their own members for his or her part in the Somare government members are more likely to listen because they know these are the people who will count the most in electing them into office when the next election comes around. So please, stop wasting time and energy criticizing and swearing at Somare because it won't work. Somare gets his powers from your MPs who support him stubbornly so pick on your own individual Mps and and perhaps the thought of self preservation in office will open their eyes. It amounts to hypocrisy when you vote a member into office who then supports Somare while you turn around and attack Somare without attacking your own members for whom you are responsible for electing into office. Remember, we are in a Democracy and Somare is not a Monarch or a dictator, he is an ELECTED prime minister.

I totaly agree with that! Focks, who is the next one to take this country forward? There could be young ones coming up, but I couldn't see one as yet. We do not need young leaders who are emtionally driven. We definately need someone with grey hair. please respect the old man when you descuss.

Simbu man.

Agree 100%. The question is - is it Sir. Michael Somare's fault that he is the PM? Did Somare appoint himself PM? These questions are answered in the original point above.
I think to answer Simbu Man's question, we need to do what the US is doing - looking outside of Washington for their Presidential choices where for DNC it is Obama while for the GOP their VP choice is Mrs. Pailin. PNG needs to look outside of Waigani for a carreer white grass leader. Somebody with the calibre of the likes of Manning, Matane, Kabui,Anthony Siaguru, etc. I know some of these are dead but there should be some of their peers still around someplace.

Trobs,
Your comparison of PNG politics, especially Somare being the Prime Minister, to the US politics is way off the mark. I would argue that the more you look for similarities the more differences emerge. One thing though PNG could learn from the US is the legal limit of the president to be in office, i.e, only two terms, even if he is the best leader and could be reelected the third time around. One of the main problems with PNG is we continue to recycle our prime ministers, especially Somare, to an extend that they are no different to Mugabe of Africa. The only difference is that Somare masks it so well in the so called 'democratic process' that we seem to live with it. PNG would have done well if things were different. But thats also up for debate.

Whether in fact a person is born a leader or develops skills and abilities to become a leader is open for debate. There are some clear characteristics that are found in good leaders. These qualities can be developed or may be naturally part of their personality.
SEVEN PERSONAL QUALITIES FOUND IN A GOOD LEADER
1. A good leader has an exemplary character. It is of utmost importance that a leader is trustworthy to lead others. A leader needs to be trusted and be known to live their life with honestly and integrity. A good leader “walks the talk” and in doing so earns the right to have responsibility for others. True authority is born from respect for the good character and trustworthiness of the person who leads.
2. A good leader is enthusiastic about their work or cause and also about their role as leader. People will respond more openly to a person of passion and dedication. Leaders need to be able to be a source of inspiration, and be a motivator towards the required action or cause. Although the responsibilities and roles of a leader may be different, the leader needs to be seen to be part of the team working towards the goal. This kind of leader will not be afraid to roll up their sleeves and get dirty.
3. A good leader is confident. In order to lead and set direction a leader needs to appear confident as a person and in the leadership role. Such a person inspires confidence in others and draws out the trust and best efforts of the team to complete the task well. A leader who conveys confidence towards the proposed objective inspires the best effort from team members.
4. A leader also needs to function in an orderly and purposeful manner in situations of uncertainty. People look to the leader during times of uncertainty and unfamiliarity and find reassurance and security when the leader portrays confidence and a positive demeanor.
5. Good leaders are tolerant of ambiguity and remain calm, composed and steadfast to the main purpose. Storms, emotions, and crises come and go and a good leader takes these as part of the journey and keeps a cool head.
6. A good leader, as well as keeping the main goal in focus, is able to think analytically. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to break it down into sub parts for closer inspection. While keeping the goal in view, a good leader can break it down into manageable steps and make progress towards it.
7. A good leader is committed to excellence. Second best does not lead to success. The good leader not only maintains high standards, but also is proactive in raising the bar in order to achieve excellence in all areas.
These seven personal characteristics are foundational to good leadership. Some characteristics may be more naturally present in the personality of a leader. However, each of these characteristics can also be developed and strengthened. A good leader whether they naturally possess these qualities or not, will be diligent to consistently develop and strengthen them in their leadership role.

I think Simbu Man and Sx have both stated good points here. That is how do we PNGans define Leadership. From Sx's point, maybe in PNG's cultures where in our recent pre-colonial past, we have taken leadership as an inherited position or status. Maybe, it is the remnants of threads of this mentality that keeps us recycling the same old leaders from the mindset that the position is theirs. In other words we have privatised MP's and even the Prime Minister's position. In a global economy where the stress is on new ideas and ways of thinking, this will have a negative effects on PNG.

Also from simbu Man's points he listed, there is definitely big differences between these qualities of leadership and the characteristics of over 90% of our elected MPs. From a melanesian villagers point of view (these are the majority in nearly all electorates) leadership is defined in terms that contrasts nearly with all points simbu man listed. Melanesians see leaders as somebody who has many assets, is rich, even to the point of having many wives. In western society, when a leader is wrong, he must step down from his position and be prosecuted. In melanesian society, a leader is defended by his people regardless of whether he is right or wrong. This ties in with the mentality of inheritance of leadership and the thinking that the leadership position is owned and not just being occupied.

I see very heavy and overweight leaders being hoisted onto the skinny shoulders of their electorates in ceremonial chairs and this is a good example of the mentality that a leader cannot get his feet dirty for the small man but that the small man gets his feet dirty for their leaders. The question arises: Whos is serving who? Is it the small man serving the leader, or is it the leader serving the small man? Melanesian definition suggests that leaders are to be served. No wonder so many leaders throw a tantrum when they are treated otherwise.

forget statehood. lets go back live in the village and let our chiefs take care of us. just like it was in the old days.