Andy Jamieson » Government

5 thoughts on Leadership

Andy — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 00:04:32 +0000

I am a student at University of Sydney, studying a Masters in International Studies. Recently we looked at leadership. Now there are many thoughts on leadership, here are five of my own.Leadership is not always formalThink Jesus, Ghandi or Mandela. If anything, their formal roles were consistently reduced, yet their leadership grew. Leading from a position is easy leadership, leading without the formality requires deeper reserves of leadership.Leadership requires some level of personal gravitasPeople like being led by a leader who has that special something. You may need to first identify, then polish that special something.Leadership can be developedAs an individual we can identify personal weak areas that need strengthening. Leadership could be one weak area for you, but don’t loose hope, leadership can be learnt (or enhanced) through development. Reflect on how Obama’s leadership has developed since he stepped (in a big way) into the public spotlight in 2006.Leadership can be collaborativeAs a leader, it is not always about having all the answers or making the right decision. Rather leadership is about being discerning with the information that you are given and making the best decision possible given the situation that confronts you. Collaboation can add leverage to your leadership abilities.Leaders need to lead and not simply be blown along by opinionGreat leaders sometimes need to encourage (challenge) their followers to think in a different way. However, challenging followers to think in a different way requires leaders often to take a long-term view on issues. Whilst most politicans are driven by the 3 year (short-term) election cycle, in gerneral the public want leaders who lead, not simply leaders who look to respond fastest to swings in public opinion.

44th President

Andy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 23:46:17 +0000

Obama is here. What will the new guy bring? How long before the polls (78% positive) turn south? Can one man, with good intentions, solve the mess in which he finds his nation and the world at large? Will the realist in him grow, or with his liberal ideals stand firm? How will he cope from behind the 5 inches of glass from which he views the world aroud him? Will the blackberry stay and will it really be connected?

I for one am open to the rhetoric.

I for one am for the change.

I for one am hopeful that he can execute.

What are you expecting?

Two jobs – Costello on World Bank corruption committee

admin — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:07:14 +0000

Peter Costello has a new part-time job. Interestingly at the World Bank. One wonders though, as the world bank increasingly struggles for relevance, what this role will involve? Peter comments that it will be resolving corruption disputes within development projects. What is happening to the number of development projects is still not clear, however, either way, removing corruption has to be supported as a noble task.

So good luck Pete, hold the line, smile a little more and keep your hands clean.

Read the full article

Obama winning hearts and minds in Berlin

Andy — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:05:13 +0000

“what has always united us, driven our people… is a set of ideals shared by all people….free to speak our minds, assembly as we choose and worship as we please…. these aspirations…our generation must make our mark on the world….The scale of our challenge is great, the road ahead is long…. we are poeple of improbable hope.“Obama is winning hearts and minds. Going to Berlin, talking about The Wall and the new walls; race, religion, possessions… However, will Obama’s liberal ideals equate to real action and real change within the world. Will the rhetoric of hope and dream that does inspire, the dream for something better, eventuate?Obama is a great leader. Obama can help shift the needle of social and world change. However, will the extent of the hope that we are all being sold, be realised? Or will, as most leaders do, Obama become less leader and more accomodating to ensure that some changes can we actualised.

Want to invest sometime and be inspired?