A browse of the newspaper tells us a lot about leadership. On the front page of the world news there is a picture that shows Aung San Suu Kyi with Hillary Clinton. They have come together to support the moves to bring about democratic elections in Myanmar. What does this picture tell us about leadership? Aung San Suu Kyi is still fighting for what she believes in and her determination and resilience means there has been some progress. Aung San Suu Kyi has shown she is a leader with a big vision. She has been selfless in her fight for freedom and democracy for her country, even giving up her own freedom for this cause. As a leader she has shown her strength, her integrity, and acted as a role model by truly living her values. She is an inspiring leader.
Turn the page and we see an article that shows the other extreme of leadership. Dominique Strauss-Kahn puts his account of his recent fall from fame through a book by his friend and author Michel Taubmann. We see a man driven by self-interest , lack of self-constraint and inability to take personal responsibility. The book is an attempt for Strauss-Kahn to put the blame elsewhere, even suggesting a political conspiracy against his attempt for the French Presidency. What does this achieve? I believe all he achieves is to belittle himself more in the eyes of most people. He becomes literally the author of his own downfall.
The difference in the leadership these two people have shown is staggering and provides some real questions for leaders everywhere, including New Zealand, as political leadership dominates our news.
In New Zealand we fortunately don't have the scandal and don't appear to have the big issues that drive leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi. We can ask "what are the issues"? Child poverty, child abuse, and the environment are some I would like to mention. Our current crop of political leaders look rather mediocre with their battles over the economy or who should lead their party. Yes, the economy is important but only as a vehicle to provide the wealth to tackle the bigger issues. I suppose there is time yet for them to develop and show us their true vision for our country, time yet for them to stand up for a cause, for the big issues as they take on their roles in the new government. We need leaders who recognise the big issues and who do not compromise these on their way to balancing the books. We need leaders who do not allow child poverty to become entrenched, the abuse statistics to worsen, and the environment to deteriorate even further while we wait for economic stability. We need leaders to have a wider view, a bigger vision.
Regardless of our own political views, in our quest for self-leadership and leadership development we can ask ourselves some questions.
What do I stand for, what are my values, vision, and purpose?
How do I live my values and purpose?
What action am I taking to make my vision a reality?
What action will I take this week to make it happen?
Voicing our vision to others and taking small steps to achieve it shows others what we stand for. It shows others our authenticity. It shows others our integrity in acting for what we stand for.
Go for it!