Leadership Matters

CHAPTER 3EMBRACE COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

Leadership is about making difficult decisions and then living with the outcome. It is not about avoiding responsibility or passing it on to someone else. True leaders have the courage to make the tough decisions. If we make our decisions with integrity and good intent, consulting where circumstances allow, and we still make the wrong decision, we will be forgiven. Failing to make difficult decisions for fear of getting it wrong shows a lack of courage and undermines trust in those around you. By failing to make a decision you are putting your interests before the cause. You're saying you would rather not be seen to be wrong than make the tough decision.

Some decisions will define you and live with you for the rest of your life.

Little boys love to run fast, real fast. Aek was in the race of his life, or to be more accurate it was a race for his life. He held his grandfather's hand and they were running from the tsunami. Fifty metres in front of them was a building and if they could reach that building they would have a chance of survival. But run as fast they might, they knew they were never going to be able to outrun that wall of water.

So when Granddad reached the base of a tree he climbed that tree dragging little Aek up with him, and they made it to the top of the tree. They were bruised, scratched and bleeding, but they had survived. They felt no cause for celebration, though. You see, while Granddad clutched Aek in his right hand, ...