Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you have better things to do with your life, you’ll know that the Oscars have just taken place. The red carpet and designer frocks were beamed worldwide as the Academy handed out their gold statuettes. The King’s Speech received the award for best film and its star Colin Firth the award for best actor.
In the real world (Oh, was that a little harsh?) the leader of Libya Muammar Gaddafi is still holding on despite increased pressure from the rest of the world.
And across the sea from England, a new Irish government is being formed after the country rejected the rule of the previous government following the financial crisis that hit them.
And in WordLive David, the king, is struggling with his kingdom and his children. From king’s speeches to revolutions, from ousted governments to family feuds, it seems that when we rely on our own strength, humanity messes things up.
Darren
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label leadership. Show all posts
Friday, 4 March 2011
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
The fame of leadership
Once again the theme of leadership is weaving its way throughout the newsiverse. Ed Milliband has beaten his older brother to become the leader of the Labour party in the UK. All eyes are now looking to see what exactly it is he stands for and what sort of leader he will be.
Meanwhile the much rumoured promotion of the favourite son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has happened… we think. A young man being thrust from obscurity into the limelight in the world’s most secretive state – I wonder if he needs a publicist?
In Moscow, the President has dismissed the mayor after some disagreements. The Mayor, tipped as a future president, is now looking for another career.
But then, fame is a funny old thing. I listened to a news report that announced the death of an actress. The report told me that she had starred in many films before retiring in the 1940s. It then told me that she had been the oldest actress to be nominated for an Oscar.
It wasn’t until I was told that it was the actress who played the old lady in James Cameron’s Titanic that I had any idea who had died. But then fame is a funny old thing, here one minute and gone the next. And they say a week in politics is a long time.
In WordLive we are continuing our journey through Paul’s letter to Timothy. The young leader gets some much needed advice from the older leader who’s been there and done that. How many of today’s leaders seek and listen to advice? How about us?
Darren Hill
Meanwhile the much rumoured promotion of the favourite son of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il has happened… we think. A young man being thrust from obscurity into the limelight in the world’s most secretive state – I wonder if he needs a publicist?
In Moscow, the President has dismissed the mayor after some disagreements. The Mayor, tipped as a future president, is now looking for another career.
But then, fame is a funny old thing. I listened to a news report that announced the death of an actress. The report told me that she had starred in many films before retiring in the 1940s. It then told me that she had been the oldest actress to be nominated for an Oscar.
It wasn’t until I was told that it was the actress who played the old lady in James Cameron’s Titanic that I had any idea who had died. But then fame is a funny old thing, here one minute and gone the next. And they say a week in politics is a long time.
In WordLive we are continuing our journey through Paul’s letter to Timothy. The young leader gets some much needed advice from the older leader who’s been there and done that. How many of today’s leaders seek and listen to advice? How about us?
Darren Hill
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Following the leader
We wouldn’t be particularly on the ball if we didn’t mention the Papal Visit. The trip raised a whole host of controversial issues, from upsetting some because the state paid toward it to the issues of child abuse within the church’s history. However, it did bring the concept of spirituality into focus.
The ruling party of North Korea have announced their first conference for almost a generation. It looks like they may reveal a successor to the ageing leader Kim Jong-il. However, news from the most secretive state on the planet isn’t always as current as it could be.
And back in the UK we have entered the Political Party Conference season. This week the Lib Dems are holding their conference. For the first time in the living memory of most people, especially this writer, what they are debating will directly effect the government. However, the fear is that the price of power may be too high.
This week in WordLive we are looking at Paul’s words to a young leader of a church. Timothy, like the leaders today, had a lot to deal with. But that’s life isn’t it?
Darren
The ruling party of North Korea have announced their first conference for almost a generation. It looks like they may reveal a successor to the ageing leader Kim Jong-il. However, news from the most secretive state on the planet isn’t always as current as it could be.
And back in the UK we have entered the Political Party Conference season. This week the Lib Dems are holding their conference. For the first time in the living memory of most people, especially this writer, what they are debating will directly effect the government. However, the fear is that the price of power may be too high.
This week in WordLive we are looking at Paul’s words to a young leader of a church. Timothy, like the leaders today, had a lot to deal with. But that’s life isn’t it?
Darren
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Testing leaders
Once again, leadership is on our agenda (it’s interesting how often it comes up in WordLive – and it’s always there in the news). The Labour Party is having to ask big questions about the nature of good leadership as it gets close to electing a new leader.
With two brothers as front runners, relationships between leaders have come to the fore, just as they did with Saul and David. Ed Miliband said he would be prepared to sack his brother David if necessary. Is that a necessary toughness or unpleasant ruthlessness? It’s certainly an example of the kind of dilemma he would face as party leader, or even more so as Prime Minister.
And when does toughness become treachery? Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is reported to be ready to resign over transport budget cuts in London. But some cynical commentators also see this as preparation for a return to the Commons, ready to replace David Cameron as Prime Minister when things get tougher politically. Do we really have to choose between cynicism and naivety? Maybe that’s where wisdom comes in.
Of course, politicians are not the only ones who make themselves vulnerable by taking on leadership. Leaders of the UN committee studying climate change came under fire in a recent report. Clearly that’s a hot seat, and likely to get hotter if forecasts are anything to go by (sorry).
But if we’re concerned for leaders, maybe our thoughts just now should be with Luis Urzúa. He seems to have emerged as leader of the trapped miners in Chile.
Hopefully Luis’ new Bible will help him in what must be one of the toughest leadership challenges around at the moment. David and Saul clearly demonstrate that where leaders go for help and support is central to the effectiveness of leadership.
Emlyn Williams
With two brothers as front runners, relationships between leaders have come to the fore, just as they did with Saul and David. Ed Miliband said he would be prepared to sack his brother David if necessary. Is that a necessary toughness or unpleasant ruthlessness? It’s certainly an example of the kind of dilemma he would face as party leader, or even more so as Prime Minister.
And when does toughness become treachery? Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, is reported to be ready to resign over transport budget cuts in London. But some cynical commentators also see this as preparation for a return to the Commons, ready to replace David Cameron as Prime Minister when things get tougher politically. Do we really have to choose between cynicism and naivety? Maybe that’s where wisdom comes in.
Of course, politicians are not the only ones who make themselves vulnerable by taking on leadership. Leaders of the UN committee studying climate change came under fire in a recent report. Clearly that’s a hot seat, and likely to get hotter if forecasts are anything to go by (sorry).
But if we’re concerned for leaders, maybe our thoughts just now should be with Luis Urzúa. He seems to have emerged as leader of the trapped miners in Chile.
Hopefully Luis’ new Bible will help him in what must be one of the toughest leadership challenges around at the moment. David and Saul clearly demonstrate that where leaders go for help and support is central to the effectiveness of leadership.
Emlyn Williams
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Who’d be a leader?
Why would anyone want to be a leader given the rough ride they are often given? Yet this Saturday Australian voters will choose who will lead their new government, and there seems to have been no problem in getting anyone to stand.
Whether the winner is current Prime Minister Julia Gillard – the first woman in the role – or Opposition leader Tony Abbott, it’s clear that neither can have any real idea of what will face them. Did US President Barack Obama realise before he was elected that swimming in the oil affected Gulf of Mexico would be part of the presidential role?
Pakistan’s President Zardari also had an encounter with water last week. Following criticism that he should have been at home instead of on a foreign visit, he made his first visit to the scene of the massive floods. Sadly, the scale of suffering shows no sign of reducing.
On a lighter note, the FA announced that the next England manager will be English. Is that a promise of better things to come or an attempt to ensure that English managers will experience their share of pain too?
Still, if luck is what leaders need most of all, there is a boy in Lowestoft who may well be pondering a career in politics. The 13-year-old was struck by lightning on Friday 13th at 13.13 – and survived.
This week’s WordLive readings have an altogether different take on leadership. A king loses his role because of disobedience to God. His successor is chosen for his inner qualities not his outward image. Are our leadership choices based on those standards?
Emlyn Williams
Whether the winner is current Prime Minister Julia Gillard – the first woman in the role – or Opposition leader Tony Abbott, it’s clear that neither can have any real idea of what will face them. Did US President Barack Obama realise before he was elected that swimming in the oil affected Gulf of Mexico would be part of the presidential role?
Pakistan’s President Zardari also had an encounter with water last week. Following criticism that he should have been at home instead of on a foreign visit, he made his first visit to the scene of the massive floods. Sadly, the scale of suffering shows no sign of reducing.
On a lighter note, the FA announced that the next England manager will be English. Is that a promise of better things to come or an attempt to ensure that English managers will experience their share of pain too?
Still, if luck is what leaders need most of all, there is a boy in Lowestoft who may well be pondering a career in politics. The 13-year-old was struck by lightning on Friday 13th at 13.13 – and survived.
This week’s WordLive readings have an altogether different take on leadership. A king loses his role because of disobedience to God. His successor is chosen for his inner qualities not his outward image. Are our leadership choices based on those standards?
Emlyn Williams
Friday, 1 August 2008
Who'd be a leader?
Barack Obama is back home, fresh from wowing millions of Germans.
After months of speculation, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that he will stand down in September.
The media see the Anglican Bishops’ Lambeth Conference as some kind of a test of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s leadership (maybe they reached their conclusions about the outcome even before it started).
Meanwhile the British Labour Party is facing its own leadership issues.
And – perhaps predictably – the England cricket team’s test match against South Africa has provoked questions about captain Michael Vaughan.
All this without me even mentioning Robert Mugabe… Leadership is as big an issue as ever.
Leadership challenge
Leaders appear to have great power. But the reality is often different. Those they are supposed to lead can soon tire of the leadership they have cried for.
Already, some Germans seem to be a little less keen than they were on what an Obama presidency might bring. Still, they won’t be voting for him or anyone else in the US.
So this coming week’s readings in WordLive may challenge some of our thinking about leadership. Old Testament leaders weren’t too bothered by opinion polls. But then how much do we ask what God thinks?
And as for Jesus, his leadership challenged the religious and national leaders of his day. How would he fare in today’s confused climate?
Emlyn Williams
After months of speculation, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says that he will stand down in September.
The media see the Anglican Bishops’ Lambeth Conference as some kind of a test of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s leadership (maybe they reached their conclusions about the outcome even before it started).
Meanwhile the British Labour Party is facing its own leadership issues.
And – perhaps predictably – the England cricket team’s test match against South Africa has provoked questions about captain Michael Vaughan.
All this without me even mentioning Robert Mugabe… Leadership is as big an issue as ever.
Leadership challenge
Leaders appear to have great power. But the reality is often different. Those they are supposed to lead can soon tire of the leadership they have cried for.
Already, some Germans seem to be a little less keen than they were on what an Obama presidency might bring. Still, they won’t be voting for him or anyone else in the US.
So this coming week’s readings in WordLive may challenge some of our thinking about leadership. Old Testament leaders weren’t too bothered by opinion polls. But then how much do we ask what God thinks?
And as for Jesus, his leadership challenged the religious and national leaders of his day. How would he fare in today’s confused climate?
Emlyn Williams
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