Leadership is vital. In any walk of life, the leadership we provide ourselves or that provided by those who are placed in a position of leadership above us is often what sees us through. During a crisis this is so much more necessary.
I was surfing the net to find a definition of leadership which fit with my current thinking. Eventually I came up with a source very unlikely for me. From a blogger, digital marketer, television personality Lisa Cash Hanson. “Leadership is the ability to guide others without force into a direction or decision that leaves them still feeling empowered and accomplished.” ” The task of the leader is to get his people from where they are to where they have not been.” This definition appears to me to fit the world’s situation right now.
Think back in recent history to some leaders. Winston Churchill immediately springs to my mind. Then there were Mandela, Ghandi or King. One could also look at the likes of Hitler, Castro and Mao for their leadership roles. Each leader was able to lead their people to new horizons.
I am so thankful to be a Kiwi right now. New Zealand has amazing leaders. Even though it may be extraordinary in these days of equality, our leadership is actually provided by women. Our head of state, Queen Elizabeth II, sent us a rallying message yesterday to bolster any flagging spirits. I appreciated one comment she’d included in her televised broadcast earlier. “I hope in the years to come everyone will be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge.” How will history view this pandemic? How will your actions today stand up? That’s a sobering question.
I’m not sure what I can say about our Prime Minister. No words of mine will credit Jacinda Ardern enough for the leadership she has shown since Covid-19 arrived on our shores. With the backing of all New Zealanders (I trust), including her political opponents, she is leading us through a very testing time. The thing I like most about her approach to us all is her simple message. She does not rave on. She does not avoid the media’s awkward questions. At her public announcements now held daily, (previously she appeared up to three times a day), she speaks plainly. “Stay home. Don’t have contact with anyone outside your household “bubble.” Be kind. We’re all in this together.”
The leadership in New Zealand is focusing on all of its citizens. The scientific and health communities and our politicians – no matter what their politics – are putting kiwis’ health before everything else. The media are doing their part by reporting the facts and avoiding conjecture. Thank God we have leadership that is able and willing to make the very hard calls when necessary. The actions of our leadership is saving New Zealand lives.