Variables of Leadership

Recently I had the opportunity to watch the movie, Darkest Hour which depicts how Winston Churchill came to be Prime Minster of Great Britain and immediately facing the possible slaughter of the entire British army at Dunkirk. The next night I watched a documentary about our former Prime Minster, Bob Hawke.

Two very different leaders in different eras from differing sides of the political divide. I have to say they are very different to the apparent political ‘leaders’ we have today.

Which leads into some very obvious observations. Leadership is never easy in whatever context it may be found. It is not like the textbooks and your good intentions after completing a course in Leadership don’t always go to plan when you get back to the real world.

That’s because effective leadership is about time, patience and understanding your direct reports. It’s knowing when to forge ahead with what you want to do and when to step back and listen to what you are being told and take a different path.

There is a great scene in Darkest Hour where Churchill takes a ride on the underground and speaks with the everyday people of Great Britain. He is struggling with a decision he has made, going against the advice of his War Cabinet. He wants to hear what the people would do and what they expect him to do. Hence Great Britain continued to fight in the war rather than attempt a negotiation with Germany.

All reigns end for one reason or another. Despite Churchill leading Great Britain to victory, five months after the war ended he was removed from office in a general election. His time was up. Hawke’s end came in different circumstances wherein he was removed by his own party.

What remains is what is left behind. This can be both positive and negative. There is often discussion regarding current leaders and what history will say about them in the future. Well isn’t the present important too?

What are the effects of your leadership style? What are your direct reports saying about you now? Let’s find out!