"Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" is the title of a recent book by American executive Lee Iacocca. In many parts, it seems to the Filipino reader Iacocca is talking about this befuddled country. Check out these excerpts.

From Chapter 1: Had Enough? "Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Gangsters are stealing us blind, Instead of getting mad, everyone nods heads politicians say, "Stay the course." .

You've got to be kidding. I'll give you a sound bite: "Throw the bums out!" I've had enough. How about you? I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm willing to have.

Calm down, friends tell me. "Leave the rage to the young." I'd love to - as soon as I can get them to pay attention for five seconds I'll tell you how I see it. It's not pretty, but at least it's real.

Young folks say they don't vote because they don't trust politicians to represent their interests. Hey, wake up. These guys work for us.

I've never been (President). But I've been a CEO and. understand a few things about leadership. I've figured out "Nine Cs of Leadership." Here's my list:

A leader must show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to people outside of the "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He must read voraciously, because the world is a big, complicated place. If a leader never steps outside his comfort zone to hear different ideas, he grows stale. The inability to listen is a form of arrogance. Either you think you know it all, or you just don't care.

A leader must be CREATIVE. He goes out on a limb, be willing to try Something different. You know, think outside the box. Leadership is all about managing change - whether you're leading a company or leading a country. Things change, and you get creative. You adapt of stagnate.

A leader has to COMMUNICATE. I'm talking about facing reality. This starts with and telling the truth, even when painful. (Some) are like the boy who didn't cry wolf when the wolf was at the door.

A leader must be a person of CHARACTER. He knows the difference between right and wrong - and has guts to do the right thing. Abraham Lincoln once said: "If you want to test a man's character, give him power."

A leader must have COURAGE. I'm talking about balls. (That goes for women) Tough talk isn't courage. You know, "My gun is bigger than your gun" If you're a politician, courage means taking a position even when you know it will cost you votes.

To be a leader you've got to have CONVICTION - fire in your belly. You've got to have passion. You've got to really want to get something done.

A leader should have CHARISMA. I'm not talking about being flashy. Charisma is the quality that makes people want to follow you. It's the ability to inspire. People follow a leader because they trust him.

A leader has to be COMPETENT. That seems obvious, doesn't it? You've got to know what you're doing. More important than that, you've got to surround yourself with people who know what they're doing. Bragging about (college degrees) does not make one competent?

You can't be a leader if you don't have COMMON SENSE. The only thing going for you as a human being is your ability to reason and your common sense. "If you don't know a dip of horseshit from a dip of vanilla ice cream, you'll never make it."

Former President Bill Clinton once said, "I grew up in an alcoholic home. I spent half my childhood trying to get into the reality-based world - and I like it here." Our current (leaders) should visit the real world once in a while.

The biggest "C" is CRISIS Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with and talk theory. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.

We're in a hell of a mess. Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves. The middle class is being squeezed every which way. .

"Where have all the leaders gone?" Where are the curious, creative communicators?

Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense? You get the point?

All we know how to do is react to things that have already happened. Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed. We've got to plan and work.

I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your assess and do nothing. And to fellow citizens: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. We all have a role to play.

It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough.

(E-mail: juan_mercado@boholchronicle.com)