Drive an Old Volvo

Dr Michael Jeyakumar, community organizer extraordinaire, is an icon of humble service in Sungai Siput. Using the principles of community organizing – the same principles employed by the young Barack Obama in the southside of Chicago – Kumar has given voice to the voiceless and rallied farmers, squatters and the dispossessed to fight for their rights. (He has been arrested many times for his work, most recently during the run-up to the Bersih 2.0 rally).

Dr Jeyakumar leads with minimal power, position or possessions. How do you do that?

One way is to drive an old Volvo. Dr Kumar, a specialist in internal medicine and a member of Parliament, could easily go places with a motorcade or at least a chauffeur-driven limousine. Instead he chooses to arrive at a ceramah in a partially rusted car. His Volvo sends a message, loud and clear, that he does not care about pomp or pageantry. He has no driver. He’s here to serve. He’ll roll up his sleeves, and he’ll do the work himself. The car itself sends other messages: safe, built like a tank, reliable, unstoppable, trustworthy. And that’s how Kumar has been regarded by his constituents.

Upward mobility is the norm in life. Driving a flashy Ferrari – and parking it in front of a ritzy hotel – symbolizes that. In contrast, driving the old Volvo is the radical practice of leadership through downward mobility. It is the belief that, in order to be accorded the rights of leadership, we must first become a servant. If we want respect from people, we must first earn their respect. We do not demand for our personal rights and entitlements; we fight for the rights of others.

How do we drive an old Volvo? Slowly, of course.

Jokes aside, to be honest, I don’t care about driving an actual old Volvo. But I am deeply inspired by Dr Kumar’s underlying philosophy in cultivating a lifestyle of downward mobility. Great leaders do this.

Dato’ Dr. Kim Tan, a Malaysian-born biotechnologist and social entrepreneur who has listed two companies on the stock exchange in London, says: “We can all choose to drive smaller cars, fly economy class or eat in hawker centers, rather than drive luxury cars, fly first class or dine in classy restaurants. At the same time, we should not judge those who live a high lifestyle.” For years Kim Tan drove a Morris Minor until it vaporized in a dust cloud of rust.

The billionaire Warren Buffett, who has pledged to give away 99% of his wealth, drove a 2001 Cadillac DTS for years before auctioning it off for charity.

Here’s how I’m trying to drive an old Volvo, figuratively:

1. I share one car with my wife … instead of both of us driving two cars. It’s more hassle. But sharing a car gives me the excuse and courage to say no to useless meetings (“Sorry, my wife’s needs it”). Plus it’s good for our marriage. We have great conversations during long drives.

2. I bought a home that’s two or three notches less expensive than my peers’. It’s tempting to live in a prestigious neighborhood where rising property prices. But I love my simple home and debt-free life. Our money and time are freed up, so we can venture out and serve in new ways.

3. Cut down on restaurant dining. We invite friends to our home for simple meals. Besides cutting down on money and MSG, we’re able to enjoy meaningful conversations that usually lead to new possibilities.

4. No maids. My wife and I do it all ourselves: cooking, cleaning, washing and parenting. Sometimes we feel tied down and tired out by endless chores. But we’ve learned lots of lessons about life through simple duties. And we have huge respect for maids who do their jobs with excellence.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with owning several cars (whose brand names end with ‘i’) and all that. Please don’t kill me if I overtake you in a Maserati, with a maid in the backseat, as my wife and I head off to the Ritz Carlton for high tea.

So, here’s the question: How will you drive your old Volvo?