Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 46, 14 May 1948, Page 6

Y.F.C. Leadership Lectures

Leadership

(By C. R. Wilson, Edgecumbe)

What is “Leadership?” Does it not convey to you the idea of a guiding influence, to a cause with a willingness to accept responsibility? The role of leadership is more often given than sought. All enterprises start with ideas and an idea is only effective—good or bad—when it is implemented. What are desirable qualities in a leader? I suggest that they include the following:— 1. First a leader should know where he is going. It is all very well to be able “to paddle your own canoe” but it is far better to be able to navigate it as well.

2. A leader should have the ability to combine tact with firmness, to share his mind with his subordinates, to imbue their comradeship with faith in himself and in one another, particularly in one another.

3. A leader should welcome criticism, well-meant or otherwise, and he should not allow resentment to cloud his judgment. The bigger the man the more visible are his defects.

A leader may be forced by circumstances to compromise, on the theory that half a loaf is better than no bread, but he must never compromise where a principle has to be abandoned. For example, when Germany entered the Ruhr, it is more than possible that had France and Britain taken a stand, a world catastrophe would have been avoided and a Dictator discredited by those who were later to bdck him and his followers. This leader used persuasive argument to justify himself. The Devil is never more dangerous than when he is quoting the Bible.

Everyone of us is or should be a leader. In a home one can set an example that is followed if one really leads. It has been well said, I think, that really wise men sometimes doubts his own wifcdom, and only a fpol thinks he can do no wrong. While it is desirable that a leader should endeavour to keep a step ahead pf public opinion, it should be borne in mind that no leader can lead faster than the average intelligence of his followers will allow. He should and could, however, try to bring out the best in them. Toleration and a sense of humour are indispensible to a leader. I should like to remind you of the actions of a leader who will go down in history ps long as history is written—Winston Churchill. You will remember his speech to the nation when Britain stood alone after the

fall of France. He hurled defiance at the enemy,‘he was an inspiration and a source of courage to his friends. He was no less a leader in adversity than in prosperity. May I read you his message to the British people after his party w;as beaten in the 1945 elections,, for I would say that this was not the least of his greatness—- “ The decision of the British people has been recorded in the votes counted today. I have therefore laid down the charge which was placed upon me in darker times. I regret that I ' have not been permitted to finish the work against Japan. For this, however, all plans arid preparations have been made, and the results may come much quicker than we have hitherto been entitled to expect. Immense ' responsibilities abroad and at home fall upon the new Government, and we must all hope that they will be successful in bearing them. “It only remains for me to express to the British people, for whom I have acted in these perilous years, my profound gratitude for the unflinching, unswerving support which they have given me during my task, and for the many expressions of kindness which they have shown towards their servant.”

Today there appears to be something of a lack of leaders for some of our Youth Organisations such as Young Farmers’ Clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, etc. All of these organisations develop useful and worthwhile citizens in the community and to help to develop those characteristics which we believe to be so desirable to enable our nation to live a better and more purposeful life. We should encourage the best human material we have to come forward to accept gladly their duty. There can only be two ways to accept this duty of leadership- The right way—What can I give to help? The wrong way—What can I get out of it?

Good leadership must mean an acceptance of responsibility for the situations' that are created by the exercise of authority—but too often it can happen that the bad practice we know as “passing the buck” is taken advantage of. Finally I would repeat that leadership comes from a sense of duty to support a right or fight a wrong. “For the cause which lacks assistance The wrong that needs resistance, The future in the distance,; And the good that we can do.”