I have some trepidation about the cult of leadership, because the effectiveness of any outfit really does depend on the systemics and context as much as a single leader's gifts and commitment. However, continuing the discussion begun here yesterday, my eye was taken last week by some principles about leadership from an unlikely source —
Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s great Spin Doctor in the Sky, whose diaries are now appearing in print.
These may well become the prime source for political historians of the Blair years in the way Alan Clark’s did for Thatcher. Some will like Mr Campbell more than others, indeed his partner says he’s been much nicer to live with since he finished work as a spin doctor, but he’s a perceptive information hound who observed world and goverment leaders closely for ten years. He pulls no punches. In a
Times interview he concludes these are the qualities that make an effective leader in this day and age:
- Clarity of objective and strategy. Only then go tactical.
- The best team leaders are the best team players
- Boldness
- Adaptability
- Staying calm in a crisis. Listen but lead, not listen and lead
- Patience. Take your time if you have to.
- Set the media agenda. Don’t let them set it for you.
- Get your head above the parapet when the s***t’s flying
- Encourage enterprise and ideas at all levels of your organisation in a non-blame culture.
Discuss?
I have some trepidation about the cult of leadership, because the effectiveness of any outfit really does depend on the systemics and context as much as a single leader's gifts and commitment. However, continuing the discussion begun here yesterday, my eye was taken last week by some principles about leadership from an unlikely source — Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s great Spin Doctor in the Sky, whose diaries are now appearing in print.
