Combating patriarchal and authoritarian tendencies.

From ancient times, the Vietnamese have had a tradition of "respecting tranquility, respecting affection, and respecting literature"—meaning they value peace and stability, cherish relationships, and honor literature and scholarship. The Vietnamese also "respect their elders"—that is, they respect the elderly, those who came before them, and those with more experience. There is a folk saying, "The court values ​​titles, the village community values ​​their elders"—meaning that in the court, those with titles are respected, while in the village community, the elderly are valued.

People with a patriarchal lifestyle, but who are intelligent and capable, tend to resolve matters quickly and decisively. This tradition has a positive aspect: it teaches and educates people to live with consideration for others, to respect elders, and to learn from those who are more qualified, capable, and experienced than themselves.

Because society places too much emphasis on hierarchy, rank, and experience, many people develop a sense of superiority, a sense of being an "older brother," or a "superior." Gradually, they become patriarchal, authoritarian, and dictatorial. And from being confined to the family, this patriarchal attitude spreads to society, including among those in positions of power and authority.

People with patriarchal mindsets are often conservative, authoritarian, believe they are always right, like to control everything, and always want others to do things their way.

In families, patriarchal figures often make life burdensome, causing others to feel intimidated, fearful, and reluctant to be close to them, even leading to unnecessary conflicts and disagreements. In organizations, if those in leadership positions, especially the head of an organization, have patriarchal mindsets, it is easy for them to violate the principle of democratic centralism, and the democracy of everyone is stifled.

Individuals with patriarchal and authoritarian tendencies often hide behind the facade of "collective leadership, individual responsibility." However, in reality, they downplay the leadership role of the collective and excessively elevate their own position. They exploit their positions, allowing their ego to manipulate, control, and even overshadow the collective leadership of the Party committee, organization, agency, or unit. The most dangerous aspect of patriarchal behavior is their inappropriate interference in the collective's work, particularly in matters related to recruitment, promotion, personnel planning, and issues concerning socio-economic investment programs and projects, land, finance, etc.

In problem-solving or presentations, they consider their own opinions superior and decisive; others' opinions are merely supplementary, given only as a formality!

People with patriarchal tendencies often develop prejudices, secretly or openly suppressing honest, straightforward individuals who hold different opinions or offer constructive criticism of them or the group they are in charge of.

Illustration photo: Thanh Nien Newspaper

In any agency, unit, or locality where the head is authoritarian, dictatorial, and autocratic, subordinates dare not express their opinions. They fear being questioned, harassed, obstructed, retaliated against, and subjected to prejudice. As a result, many become mere "yes-men," adhering to the motto: "The boss is always right," and "See rule one,"... When the boss is authoritarian and dictatorial, subordinates are constantly filled with unnecessary anxiety and fear; they "don't know where to fight back!"

However, it is important to understand that when holding a position, officials must avoid a complacent attitude, prioritizing harmony over substance, and blindly following the crowd. They must possess groundbreaking, superior thinking and a decisive leadership style. Because the principles and mechanisms of our current leadership and management, in addition to promoting the role of collective leadership, must emphasize the role of individual responsibility and value the decisiveness of the leader. They must dare to speak, dare to act, and dare to take responsibility. Steadfastness, courage, and decisiveness are essential qualities of a leader. Only with decisive skills can one make firm, strong decisions and effectively address new and urgent issues arising from life and practice. The key is that correct decisions, made for the common good and reflecting the collective wisdom, truly demonstrate the talent and virtue of the leader and manager.

Steadfastness without rigidity, courage without recklessness, decisiveness without authoritarianism—these are the true qualities and necessary attributes of a leader or manager.

Patriarchal behavior is a terrible thing. When the young government was first established, President Ho Chi Minh warned that officials with patriarchal attitudes "think they are sacred just because they are in government agencies," "rely on their position in this or that committee, then become arrogant and unrestrained, doing whatever they want," and from there "look down on the common people, speak boastfully, and always act like 'revolutionary officials.' They don't realize that such arrogance will erode the people's trust and harm the government's prestige."

Recently, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong pointed out: "Some people in positions of power maintain an bureaucratic and patriarchal style" and "have an attitude of contempt for the masses, do not listen to the opinions of workers, and oppress the masses."

We are building an open society with increasingly higher levels of education and expanding democracy. Every official and Party member, especially those in positions of power, must have a humane mindset and conduct, and a scientific approach to leadership, guidance, and management, for the progressive development of their organization, agency, or unit; and for the peaceful and happy lives of the people. Arrogant and authoritarian behavior is a remnant of the feudal system. It is completely alien and contrary to the progressive thinking, open-minded attitude, and democratic and scientific approach of a communist.

It's impossible to simply agree with everyone, but don't hide behind excuses like being overly bureaucratic, authoritarian, or lacking democracy by claiming you're burdened with work and feeling frustrated or irritable. When officials genuinely empathize with and share the concerns of the people, the people will respect them, as President Ho Chi Minh taught: "We must love and respect the people, then the people will love and respect us." This is also the basis for preventing and combating patriarchal tendencies.