Leading Example

Leading Example

                         

                     Permission has been given to use this artwork

Rarely are politicians challenged to lead their country through sweeping and far-reaching change. 

In her short time as Prime Minister of Aotearoa New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern has confronted three unprecedented ordeals.  2019 brought the Christchurch massacre and the eruption of Whakaari White Island. 2020 brought the emerging COVID 19 virus pandemic.

We went to sleep in one world and woke up in another.

People were asked to stay at home for four weeks.  The only people able to go out were those essential workers travelling to and from work, or those going to the supermarket and pharmacy.  Over 70s were also asked to stay at home.  This step, in a bid to stop the spread of the virus and save lives, started just past midnight of 25^th March 2020. 

Bringing such significant change at remarkable speed required major courage, collaborative planning and skill from the Prime Minister. Jacinda Ardern has received domestic and international recognition for her leadership style.

Through the lens of Dr William Glasser’s work, we can see many examples of his Lead Management being put into practice during these challenging times.

Throughout the fight against COVID 19, the building of a comprehensive communication system has been paramount. Clear expectations have featured in daily media conferences. Where there has been a lack of clarity, the feedback has been listened to and action has been taken.   Questions of the Prime Minister and her team of political colleagues and non-elected government officials have enabled journalists to seek clarity for the public on a wide variety of topics.

It became very evident that while the leader was firmly in charge, the Labour party always participated in the difficult decisions that have been made.  As H.E. Luccock said, “No one can whistle a symphony.”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Ashley Bloomfield the Director-General of Health, Finance Minister Grant Robinson, Education Minister Chris Hipkins, and others have been the public face of the government for New Zealanders. 

Website announcements, Facebook pages and television advertisements have all been carrying information readily available to the public since the beginning of the crisis.  Through her Facebook page, we gained a personal insight into the woman who was leading our country through yet another crisis. Relaxed at home, Jacinda Ardern revealed herself as a genuine person who shows people her care and concern.  She was even able to relate to the young children with her assurance that the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny were essential workers.

 Since the beginning of the pandemic here, the widespread use of themes and catchphrases such as “Stay Home”, “Stay Safe”, “Stay in your Bubble” and “Stay Local” were repeated daily.  It has been these consistent messages that seem to have gained, to a great extent, the cooperation of New Zealanders.

As the rāhui[1] of four weeks came to an end, we were asked to remain isolated for another week.  The Prime Minister and her Ministers have said, “Let us finish what we started”.  There was a collective sigh of relief and frustration.  One thing that was obvious, that even though people were breaking their necks to get out and for businesses to get going again, there was the willingness to follow the leader. If our leader had not inspired most people to make the hard decisions, the successful results would not have been achieved. 

From reports, we read that a large percentage of people are doing the right thing. One report from the police stated that 99 .9 % of people were staying at home and self-distancing when away from their home.  This model of lead management is based on building trust.  Jacinda has said several times “We trust New Zealanders”.  She also talks about the team of five million.

 

With the evidence of positive results of the rāhui, falling case numbers, increasing numbers of people recovering and breaking the chain of community transmission, New Zealanders are feeling a sense of relief.  

The parallels between the leadership of a country and the leadership of a family, a classroom, or a school can be drawn.  Taking the learning from the style of leadership in New Zealand during the COVID 19 pandemic into these situations can have many benefits.  There is generally a sense of calm, trust, willingness to do the right thing, to reach out and help others. Many have learned new skills, revived old and forgotten skills and generally have gained from the experience.  Those who went into the rāhui stressed would have dealt with it differently.  Those who feared for their survival would have found it demanding.  When deeply held values and beliefs are challenged, the situation is incomprehensible and testing. 

Leadership does make a difference.  It can make or break a task, a project, a family, a class, an organisation, or a nation.  Keeping in mind Dr William Glasser’s Lead Management, we can all attempt to be closer to a Lead Manager than a Boss Manager to inspire others to follow us.

 

We hope that as we rebuild a shattered economy, we can all do our absolute best to achieve the outcomes we want in a way that is acceptable to others.

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[1] Instead of the word lockdown, I prefer the Māori word rāhui which can be interpreted as meaning- honour the earth, protect the people and nourish the spirit, all for the greater good.