In the leadership roles that I have had I have always considered carefully the morality of the role. What is my role about in considering the way I act towards others and how I use resources to make people's lives better?
I have always drifted towards supporting those who have been marginalised by society. The poor, indigenous peoples, gay students, those with unfortunate lives for no reason of their own. I have never really been in that position in society but I have always had the view that those marginalised people need more.
Many people influenced my development but two people stand out.
- Lester Levy - a leadership guru who inspired (and supported) me to always do what you thought was right. To stand up even when you know you are going to get chopped down.
- Greg Ellis - a business consultant who did not talk but did. Greg just helped wherever and whenever he could and so many wonderful ideas flow from him.
I do not see myself in political alignment with either of these guys - they are much to 'right' for me; but they have both been inspirational and wonderfully supportive to me. (Though these left/right terms don't really make sense. We should just judge people's attributes)
In Bangladesh I met a third person who has been inspirational and supportive to me. With Stella's illness (see last posting) I am for the first time in my life in a vulnerable and risky position (especially regarding employment and finances). My principal in Bangladesh, Craig Salmon, has stood up as would be expected of an outstanding leader, and has shown incredible support well beyond anything that I expected.
My sadness about New Zealand politics is that I do not see inspiring moral leadership that has been shown by these three people I have mentioned. Throughout history we have had wonderful leaders on both sides of the political fence in New Zealand but now it all seems to be about political expediency and self-interest and never mind the morals.
Is this leadership in the 21st Century?
The death of Edward Gough Whitlam made stark the gap between what was and what is now. Placing the greater good above personal power is an obligation when you hold public office. The conservatives here are shockers on a moral leadership measure.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read the names of those who have most inspired you Brian. Just reading the cards and comments you received from the young adults you were teaching in Sydney showed that you are an inspirational leader for them.