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