Leadership Ballarat and Western Region executive officer, Michelle Whyte said Australia’s current political situation is definitely a “leadership case study in what not to do.”
“It’s quite fascinating from a leadership perspective and it just goes to show leadership does not sit with a position.”
“It’s an opportune time to reflect on what good civic leadership really is and what makes a good leader,” she said.
“Exercising leadership is an activity, not a title or a job description. People expect and want their leaders to not just talk about leadership, but to exhibit those behaviours and transform their communities.”
Ms Whyte said a person with good leadership skills knows how to diagnose a situation and manage oneself, is able to energise others to follow and collaborate and knows when to intervene skilfully.
“Good civic leadership requires a person to act on the edge of their comfort zone, have a clear purpose and engage with others, and this is inherently risky.”
Asked who in Government exemplified good leadership skills, Ms Whyte nominated current foriegn minister Julie Bishop.
She said the current turmoil was definitely about egos and factions and she believed Malcolm Turnbull “had not been able to read the factions properly.”
“Leadership is about standing with your values and he has not stuck strongly enough to his merits … he has conceded some of his values, his thinking,” Ms Whyte said.
