There are two types of people: the successful and those who worship them, just because they've never been successful in their lives. While there are those whom we may call the ‘Enemies of Success', there are many Egyptians who love to make an idol out of every senior official, even if he or she is incompetent or lacks the basic skills demanded of his or her important post, having made it to the top of the ladder through luck or because of having friends in high places. These failures, ‘All the Officials' Men and Women', have no kind of talent, although they are admittedly good at singing the praises for this or that senior official, even if they are a disaster in their job. Many officials, unfortunately, fall into this trap and become convinced that they are geniuses or super decision-makers, despite the fact that should never have been promoted to their exalted posts in the first place. Egyptians still remember 40-year-old official named Abdel-Moneim Emmara, whom the president appointed Governor of Ismailia, on the Suez Canal. Mr Emmara, who appeared on a TV talk show, said that he was flabbergasted when he heard of his appointment by presidential decree, as he had no practical experience whatsoever as a top administrator or decision-maker, vital for the job of Ismailia Governor. "As soon as I assumed my official duties as governor, many employees, who had known me before, made a dramatic 180 degree change, as they started showering me with praise and sweet words, whenever I took a minor decision that any junior employee could make". Emmara said that he did not like this hypocritical behaviour and fought against it as best he could. "I refused to listen to these sycophants and refused to believe the nonsense they kept spouting, because I knew for sure that they didn't mean it," he added. To overcome his lack of experience, Emmara said that he created an ad hoc team of real experts, who made wise, well-studied decisions for upgrading Ismailia, in terms of community services, thereby improving the lives of its residents. He said that the team had a positive effect on every aspect of life in Ismailia and also on his public image as governor, because the residents saw real progress and true development on the ground, thanks to the sound decisions of the experts. "Had I listened to the singing of the hypocrites, I would have been a true failure as governor and never won the respect of my staff and the people of Ismailia," he stressed. Our incumbent senior officials should learn from the Emmara experience never to listen to mediocre employees, who spend their lives praising their superiors, even if they have no merit or special talent. ‘Funny, or not' It is her husband who is usually the last man to notice his wife's beauty. A woman's beauty is like water that evaporates in the open air. [email protected]
