These are tricky times we are in and I would like to share a few of my thoughts on real leadership and our responsibility as citizens at this time. I think we can all agree, now is the time for real leadership. We need to see it, feel it and witness it in action daily.
It’s a tough time to be a leader because in these uncharted waters, mistakes will inevitably be made as no-one in this life can see around corners and know what will happen next.
It is also a time of intense scrutiny of our leaders from families, businesses, communities and our entire nation. The cracks in character and resolve will be seen and right now, we can be assured that they will be noticed.
Perhaps the partisan fighting will break out once the pandemic crisis is over and each political wing will try to capitalise on the other’s mistakes.
You can assume that questions will be asked. Who stood with us? Who left us when the going got tough? Who kept a long term vision and stayed on track? Who bowed to changing opinions?
“It was the nation and the race dwelling all-round the globe that had the lion’s heart. I had the luck to be called upon to give the roar. I also hope that I sometimes suggested to the lion the right place to use his claws.”
– Winston Churchill
Take a look at the leaders around you this month. Are we seeing strong leadership qualities? Do you see:
- Motivation
- Delegating
- Positivity
- Trustworthiness
- Creativity
- Feedback
- Responsibility
Maybe you do. Maybe you don’t.
For certain though, this is history in the making and we are part of it together. I hope as individuals and communities we will see, feel and remember the sacrifices more than the selfishness of some; the brave attempts more than the failings.
In this age of the internet and digital science, it is great that many voices, with genuine messages, that were not heard before, are now being heard. However, in using our voice, we have to consider we can’t see all angles at once. Often we proclaim something as unequivocal truth, only to find later up the track that we missed something or a piece of the puzzle was missing that we just couldn’t see at the time.
We are all in this pandemic fight and we are all having to surrender some things for the good of others. We will win this but it will involve an understanding of community beyond our privileges, assumed rights and conveniences.
“Don’t find the fault, find the remedy”
– Henry Ford
Simon Sinek shares stories about why good leaders make you feel safe in the video below. The differences are clear. Excellent leaders are created in the right environment and we can all do better and be better to help others with trust and co-operation. All the great motivational speeches and flag waving do not win a battle but sacrifice, discipline and respect for others will.
A true leader challenges structures, questions what serves their people and their causes. They know their own limitations and seek humility sourced co-operative solutions; they uphold the dignity of us all to treat problems, not just acute symptoms.
When we do the hard work and make the tough choices, we create a path to success in our lives and the lives of others. This is a time and opportunity in the world to build community and to reach out to touch the lives of those who we have not touched before.
It is definitely an interesting time we are living in. While the world marvels at the spectacular it is the small everyday contributions of ordinary people that not only develop their lives but also hold the fabric of society together and their charity and self-discipline can never be replaced.
Remember that being different is our biggest asset and we don’t have to be like everyone else. If you need a keynote speaker or presenter on neurodiversity, private message me today to book your next presentation.
Thanks for reading! I’d love you to share your thoughts in the comment space below!
Dave Brebner.
www.davebrebner.com
P.S. If you like reading about excellent leadership, check out this great book I reviewed by L. David Marquet, called Turn the Ship Around.
As a neurodiverse public speaker and presenter, Dave Brebner specialises in using educational neuroscience to explore pathways for professionals and engage in inclusive discussions for diverse audiences. Living with Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety Disorders since an early age, he is married with six children and one grandchild. He recently added a Master of Educational Neuroscience to his qualifications to further deepen his understanding of the neurodiverse mind, including his qualifications in Trades & Training, Adult Education, Vocational and Workplace Training, and a Master of Education degree in Career Development. Dave is a professional member of the Career Development Association of Australia, and you can learn more about Dave’s work at www.davebrebner.com.
As a neurodiverse public speaker and presenter, Dave Brebner specialises in using educational neuroscience to explore pathways for professionals and engage in inclusive discussions for diverse audiences. Living with Tourette’s Syndrome, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, ADHD, and Anxiety Disorders since an early age, he is married with six children and one grandchild. He recently added a Master of Educational Neuroscience to his qualifications to further deepen his understanding of the neurodiverse mind, including his qualifications in Trades & Training, Adult Education, Vocational and Workplace Training, and a Master of Education degree in Career Development. Dave is a professional member of the Career Development Association of Australia, and you can learn more about Dave’s work at www.davebrebner.com.