LEADERSHIP, WHO DO WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW AND WHY? By Clive Allwright

I once hired someone because I believed they were a good person and they convinced me they would be a great leader. I recall them saying “I am not here to make friends; I am here to turn this business around” It turned out they were right on one account. As my friend Gary Latham once said, “If you’re not making friends at work, you’re making enemies.”

It was a great learning experience on how I would have done things differently, given the opportunity again. When you think about it, it’s how we learn everything from early childhood, as we navigate our way through this labyrinth called life.

So… we just had another federal election. By the time you read this it will be all over. As I write this blog on the Easter weekend. We are around 6 weeks away from election day. The candidates are doing a great job of character assassinating each other’s looks, personalities and policies.

Ask yourself this question. Would you choose any of the candidates who run for Prime Minister to be the next CEO of your company?

Imagine your first team meeting resembling Parliament Question time. Everyone shouting, hurling abuse and insults at each other after a boozy lunch.

Or imagine finding out the salon was left unlocked over the weekend and there was a party held in the salon. Then your new CEO completely denies attending the party or even been handed the keys to the salon in the first place.

Being a leader in business is very similar in being a coach or manager in sport. They get the privilege of keeping their role based upon your team’s results. Also, the performance and conduct of your team on and off the field. We are often informed of another coach being stood down from either the NRL, soccer, cricket or many other different sporting codes. Sometimes even the best coaches still get stood down even after a winning season.

How do you choose the best candidate after advertising a role?

One of my clients recently shared her own story of how she had several tough interviews for a new position. During her final interview she was asked to walk across the city with her new potential employers to all grab a coffee together. Her new boss mentioned later “I really enjoyed our walk and chat today; I am excited to do more of this together in the future”

Another client shared when her son applied for a role with a global tech company. He was invited to a swish lunch with his new potential team members. He was later informed; he was being observed on how he conducted himself at the lunch. They noted his table manners, did he order the most expensive dishes on the menu. How much alcohol he drank and what was the level of his conversation in this relaxed environment. His Mum proudly informed me “He got the job”

Great leadership advice from Simon Sineck:

There are those among us who are in charge, that are not great leaders. We do as they tell us, because they have authority over us. But we don’t trust them, and we wouldn’t choose to follow them. Yet there are those that sit at very low levels of organisations, that have no formal rank or formal authority. Yet they have chosen to look after the person to the left of them, and to the right of them and we would trust and follow them anywhere. Leadership is the responsibility to see those around us rise. It’s taking the responsibility to take care of those around us. That’s what real leadership is! Its’s not about being in charge! It’s about taking care of those in our charge! Every single one of us has the ability to be the leader we wish we had…

I don’t always believe what people say they are going to do. I do however trust them more based on their actions and what they have achieved so far. So, when it comes to politics, all I can really do is observe past decisions.

Most of us were forced to close our businesses

during mandatory lockdowns, stopped from visiting our families. Apply for Government grants in order to financially survive. Mandatory this and that to protect us from whatever, whenever. Supposedly based upon evidence handed to the Government at the time. It appears no one is really accountable for anything, because the people making these decisions always slide off into the sunset.

When politicians eventually retire with their large superannuation packages and benefits they often sit on the board of some not for profit organisation. (In my opinion it’s what they are best qualified for) Running a profitable business could prove to be challenging.

Do you think they sit back in their private club and reflect “I could have handled that better, in everyone’s best interests” or do they even care?

Good leaders seem to have similar attributes. Most have the ability and talent to listen, then make decisions based upon facts, with reason, and understanding.

When we are forced to trust the people granted with the responsibility in making the best decisions regarding our future. If those decisions were made with empathy, integrity and accountability they would win my vote… Does this mythical candidate actually exist?