Leadership

When I was 20yo (1987) - and weighed approx. 70kg (dripping wet - with sinkers in my pockets) - I had the privilege of playing a star-studded NZ Maori rugby side. The opposition included the likes of Frano Botica, Scott Chricton, Arthur Stone, Steven Pokere, Eric Rush, Charlie McAlister, Hika Reid and - scariest of all - the rugby TERMINATOR - Buck Shelford.

I was not frightened until - 20 minutes before the match - I was outside the changing rooms getting a sprig change and had the misfortune of hearing Buck Shelford’s pre-game speech to his players. I admired every word. I respected every sentiment. I either wanted to change sides (but unlike David Seymour I have no Maori heritage) or I wanted to go home and have a lie down.

Keep in mind that Buck Shelford did not lose a single test as All Blacks captain and could play with an exposed testicle.

There are many forms of leadership but a key indicator of effective leadership is that people are inspired to follow.

Jesus to Peter and Andrew: ““Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men“ Both men immediately left their nets and followed Him.”

Martin Luther King Jnr: “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I’m not concerned about that now. I just want to do God’s will. And He’s allowed me to go up to the mountain. And I’ve looked over. And I’ve seen the Promised Land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!”

Sir Winston Churchill: “We shall fight them on the beaches ... “

The very latest political poll in NZ has the following stats re preferred Prime Minister:

Chris Hipkins: 77% do not want him to be PM.

Christopher Luxon: 80% do not want him to be Prime Minister.

Winston Peters: 83% do not want him to be Prime Minister.

Chloe Swarbrick: 90% do not want her to be Prime Minister.

David Seymour: 93% do not want him to be Prime Minister.

Rawiri Waititi: 97% do not want him to be Prime Minister.

It did make me consider that we have a MASSIVE leadership vacuum. When Buck did his speech, I was ready to charge into their changing room and declare my allegiance (even if it was self-preservation). I am hoping that when Churchill inspired Britain that, if around at the time, I would have picked up a pitchfork and ran towards the Channel.

What would our leaders’ speech have been?

Hipkins: “Helen? Jacinda? Mummy? Anyone but Trevor!”

Luxon: “A KPI moving forward would be to bench mark our response to operationalising our defence with a line in the sand”.

Winston: “We shall fight them on the race courses. We shall fight them on the fishing boats.”

Shane Jones (guest appearance): “We shall use incomprehensible language and all manner of self-aggrandisement to talk that hind wheel off their tanks.”

Seymour: “When they challenge me I will steal their tanks and drive them up the steps of Parliament to protest ... umm ... umm ... school lunches ... but they better not share then with the hungry.”

Swarbrick: “We will welcome all immigrants, even if they are on massive warships, carrying guns, driving tanks - and/or have very restrictive social laws/expectations.”

Waititi: “You are all welcome to a bar-b-cue at JT’s.”

It is interesting that Trump gets vilified in our media for currently having an approval rating of around 40% when that would be a dream for NZs current leaders.

It would be interesting to know which current world leader kiwis would prefer to be in charge of our nation. Maybe you could indicate in the comments:

Donald Trump.
Vladimer Putin
Xi Jinping
Keir Starmer
Anthony Albanese
Mark Carney
Kim Jong Un
Emmanuel Macron
Taylor Swift

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