It is said that leaders become rogue when their behaviour or decision-making diverges from established policies, ethics, and goals. Similar behaviour was displayed by Prime Minister Laaulialemalietoa Leuatea Schmidt when he acted against advice while on medical leave to hold meetings with foreign governments.

On 21 September, Laaulialemalietoa was airlifted in a private charter for a medical evacuation. His return on 19 October was delayed because doctors wanted him to rest for two extra weeks. During this time, the advice from the experts within the government was not to hold any meetings, bilateral or not, while on medical leave. He has chosen not to take the advice, for reasons he only knows and has felt no need to explain the urgency to hold such meetings while getting medical treatment.

The advice was given for a reason. In all previous such meetings, when the leader of the nation meets with foreign government officials,  senior officials or the chief executive officers from the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) have been present. From the images of the two meetings, no such officials were there. The prime minister’s team included family members. This is highly unprofessional.

These protocols are designed to provide the Prime Minister with policy guidance and ensure he is fully briefed on matters of national importance. Is it safe to think that the prime minister, whilst on leave, was fully aware of all matters that were being discussed? In the parliament sitting that has just concluded, there were times when the government responded by saying that they were a new government with just over a month in office.

If that is the case, surely, PM Laaulialemalietoa needed the senior officials by his side. It is also not right that he conducts such high-level meetings while on medical leave. He needs to rest and recover and return to his role as the leader of the nation without any issues, so he can be the leader the majority of Samoa trusts him to be.

Such behaviour is often driven by a system that allows it. Even the prime minister is accountable. He committed to transparency and accountability the same day he was sworn in. This commitment means adhering to protocols and setting a standard for everyone else. Leaders must first model those behaviours themselves if they want to encourage transparency and accountability in the nation and in all government processes.

That will be very hard to do, as the question of who manipulated the image of the prime minister sitting in a wheelchair also remains unanswered. It is known that when a leader gains power, they face fewer checks and balances, potentially creating a dysfunctional environment that harms the public and the nation. This does not need to be the case.

Leaders significantly influence the behaviour of the public. The behaviour of leaders is not just influential; it is pivotal in shaping the nation. It is crucial for leaders to recognise their role in influencing others and to act in ways that promote a strong and positive culture. A leader’s authority depends on people perceiving them as a person of integrity; by acting hypocritically, leaders undermine their own positions.