Leadership Matters

CHAPTER 4BE PRESENT AND SHOW YOU CARE

In my experience of working in crisis and disaster settings, true leaders are identified by their actions and reactions. It's what people do that matters, not their position or title. I call this leadership without authority. As leaders, we don't have to be implementing change all the time. We do have to demonstrate that we care and that we understand. Presence gives you both insight and understanding.

This was clearly evident in the role the Australians played when deployed to Thailand after the Boxing Day tsunami. No conditions had been imposed on the Thais by the Australian Government, but something interesting happened after the Australians landed and found their way to the temple at Wat Yan Yao. In the days, weeks and months that followed the Australians would hold many of the key leadership positions in the international response.

It's worth considering why the Australians came to hold those leadership positions. We didn't arrive first, we didn't have any greater skills or experience, we didn't have access to resources other countries did not, and we certainly didn't lose more people than other countries. Quite the contrary. We lost 26 people. Germany and Sweden both lost 500, and 2500 Thais were lost. So what was it that put the Australians into those positions of leadership?

It's what people do that matters, not their position or title. I call this leadership without authority.

I think there were four key things the Australians ...