Leadership style
Sir Thomas is seen by most trade unionists as a conservative, and by outsiders as either a radical or (among the better informed) as a moderate; the last is the most common description given him. "I don’t believe you can become a leader of the trade union movement by being what people assume is a moderate. I like to weigh up a situation, to get the facts correct, and to argue from thee. In every case you handle I think you’ve got to be well-versed in the facts and the repercussions of what you do, and all the time have a feeling for the membership, knowing what they’re thinking.” Sir Thomas agrees that he is a pragmatist, altering his stance according to the circumstances. “There are times when you’ve got to get tough. You have to take a dogmatic line, especially when dealing with dogmatic employers. I’ve always had the support of the people I’ve been handling the case for, so I’ve never had a problem of being dogmatic."
He agrees that there is a certain amount of posturing and posing that must be done. “At all times you’ve got to use the ultimate weapon you rave. It’s always well to let your opponents know you’ve got. bullets in your gun.”
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Press, 19 April 1979, Page 19
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213Leadership style Press, 19 April 1979, Page 19
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