Some Thoughts On Leadership

[Graham Durant-Law]

I had the very great privilege to be head-hunted to give a presentation to the Sydney University Medical Leadership seminar. I did my damnest to pass it to someone else, but they were insistent that wanted me, and me only, to present on "Rwanda: A Case Study in Ethical and Leadership Dilemmas " . I always find this presentation difficult because I have to revisit a number of events I consciously choose to park in the deepest darkest depths of my memory. Anyway I thought I would share with you some of my answers on questions they posed to me before the presentation. I'd be interested in your thoughts.

Question 1. Who are the three greatest leaders of our time and why?

Answers.

• In the military domain Colin Powell. He put together an amazingly diverse multi-cultural coalition and held it together.
• Bill Gates because he transformed society with the personal computer, when everyone said it wasn't possible. His donations to charity are without equal.
• In my lifetime Sir Winston Churchill: a leader through adversity. Tenacity and bloody-mindedness were his middle names!

Question 2. Name three key attributes you consider as a leader and why?

Answers.

• Integrity, which includes moral courage; without this no-one will trust you.
• A capacity to anticipate and see the bigger picture; anticipation allows for a structured response. Without the bigger picture you may be doing things right, but not doing the right thing!
• The ability to communicate at all levels. A leader who cannot communicate at all levels is reducing their impact. Shared understanding and common meaning are essential for any leadership situation. ...

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