..what and why ‘SCIENTIFIC’ everything

Aug 19, 2020 Leader Management, Nurturing Leaders 0

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The Corona pandemic has come with its language. We are getting used to doing this and that ‘Scientifically’. It is among the post COVID-19 pains that we shall endure for some time, which may gradually get embedded into our social system. When the President first advised the nation to do this and that scientifically, it sounded like state house talk. However, it is now the discourse of continuing our life’s unavoidable routines, but taking care of the standard operating procedures as advised by the health experts. Given the deadly tense situation, we are being advised to go scientific in almost every way of life: scientific burial; scientific weddings, scientific education, scientific conferences, scientific concerts, scientific meetings, scientific graduations, and scientific budget. It has now gone to Scientific National Elections!

Scientific way of doing things is to do things by the fundamental procedures that must be. The basic principles of science are; streamlined action, rationalization, procedure, expectations, no meandering in mind and action, following basic instructions, to do it right as much as principles require. It bounds in accuracy, objectivity, reliability, testability, replicability, generalizability and consistency.

Scientific approach aims at eliminating wastage and optimal utilization of every available resource, giving attention to leadership or instruction. Simply put, “Scientific” demands following the basic ways of doing something. For instance, what should essentially be done or available for a wedding to be so? There has to be the bride, groom, priest, 2 witnesses, parents and conducted through the basic church rites.

So then, COVID-19 has imposed a danger in social patterns, thus a return to scientific ways; avoid crowds, keep measured distance, do what must be done, within prescribed time. There will be efficiency and tasks accomplished.Scientific management in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, is meant to eliminate parts of our social systems that consume a lot of time, gather crowds, need a lot of money, require multiple decisions, breed show off, gather spectators and demand many resources over the basics needed.  

Somehow, this COVID-19 era has shown that we have been wasteful of money, time, energy, etc. in organizing social activities. Of course, there are social costs such as missing friends, less human opinion, strained relationships, less team work, too much hurry, omitting detail; no timely feedback, may breakdown social ties, being over-hooked on social platforms, etc. Doing things scientifically today in Uganda has the connotation of few people, social distance and being brief, focused; no long speeches, no extravagancy on meals, punctuality, etc. These are true elements that are getting embedded in our social system.

The implications of scientific management to our social life include, knowing best ways of doing tasks, use of basic resources, principled processes, empowerment and social acceptance. To reap these benefits, we should embrace open communication, scheduling events, mutual support, review reporting lines, rethink the human irrationality and be pragmatic in decision making; reshape attitudes, being prepared and flexible to embrace change.

As Catholic faithful, we have had our lessons. We should shift deftly in pace and space in church leadership for the post-corona era. These relational dynamics occurs at the intersection of art and science, but we have faith and spirituality. We have many options to follow the standard operating procedures, but remain the social institution that church is, where our gathering is not a crowd.

By Prof. Vincent Bagire

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