Slow Leadership
December 8th, 2005 · Posted in Uncategorized ·
It’s 4am, I’m tired but it’s too hot to sleep, so I thought I’d introduce you to a site I stumbled across (via Kathy): Slow Leadership.
That article I just linked discusses the need for leaders to slow down in order to be civilised, that rushing decisions that should take time ignores those most likely to be hurt. When I read it, I was immediately reminded of our current federal government’s insistence on rushing through a few recent legislations which have some big implications.
Although I don’t necessarily disagree with the content of these new laws, giving people 30 minutes to digest a 1252-page document before starting the formal debate just seems to be rushing things far too much.
I think so many things in life need to be slowed down, not everything of course, but important decisions rarely need an answer immediately, rather, they should be considered carefully, espescially when they will impact millions of people.
RodeoClown: is disappointed that his government rushes things so much.
December 14th, 2005 at 8:05 pm
Hi Ian. Interesting thoughts. Consider this: what exactly is a leader? or maybe who is a leader?
A look at wikipedia’s definition is mostly about people who a in positions that should display leadership.
Which would be fine if they were already a leader. I think that there are 2 sorts of leadership - those who are and those that think they are. bit like binary, really.
Those that think they are tend to fall in to the category of a person in a position of authority. Like the PM. Like a manager in the workplace. But does this make them a leader. I don’t think so. They have the authority to make decisions that ultimately affect us - the little people. But does this make the people want to follow them?
On the other hand you have the person who is a leader (and often they don’t think of them selves as one - well mostly early in their life as one.) They are the people/person who lives to help others. the person who stops and listens, who hears what people says and makes considered decisions. In other words they deliberate on what action to take. These people may be be in positions but are not always.
Slow leadership - listens now, reflects on it, decides later.
The time of reflection will increase with the importance of what is at stake.
A bit like what makes a good first aider - they stand back and reflect before taking action. They take in the whole picture of the situation to ensure that they can minimise or eliminate any unnecessary injury to all around, then tend to the injured. How long does this take maybe 30 seconds.
A good leader will listen now, get the facts, think about it (maybe sleep on it) then act.
What you wrote about isn’t leadership. It is the use of authority, in this case given by the people, to achieve an objective.
However, I think, you will find the PM has actually slept on it, it is just that the rest followed like sheep, and did as the party said. But then that is another matter.
Consider some of history’s great leaders, they are the ones that inspired their people/followers to great heights of feats. Some are even captains of sporting teams
December 15th, 2005 at 7:48 am
Oh, I agree completely that the PM will have slept on it. I’m sure he thinks it is best, but it is the other people who aren’t demonstrating leadership by not fighting to get the time needed to properly digest it. I also think that he should’t have rushed it through.
Thanks for your thoughts.
December 15th, 2005 at 8:19 am
I’ve been meaning to post about this, but until I get the chance: I agree with your comment Ian, in that the fact that the PM might have slept on it and thinks it’s the “Right Thing to Do” doesn’t mean that he should try to get it through without discussion. 30 mins to digest a 1252 page document is not valid… as you say too Colin, that’s not leadership, it’s use (or abuse) of authority:
As Natasha Stott Despoja said regarding a similar rush through parliament:
Strange days…
December 21st, 2005 at 12:58 am
Thanks for picking up on the Slow Leadership idea. It’s not about being slow, per se; it’s about giving things the correct amount of time — the time they deserve.
Rushing decisions through on the basis there is no time for anything else is an old trick to justify possible abuses of power, whether in government or industry. Allowing discussion raises the chances people will not go along with what is being proposed.
I started the Slow Leadership movement to encourge people like yourselves to question the everlasting haste we’re subjected to in the name of “progress” and “efficiency.” It’s a false link. In a civilized society, both are possible without denying anyone the time to think fully.
December 21st, 2005 at 7:16 am
Hi Carmine,
thanks for your comment. Giving things the proper time is something I try really hard to do - some things really do need to be rushed (the car in front of me just jumped on the brakes… better respond quickly - although if I hadn’t been rushing the driving, maybe I wouldn’t need to react so quickly… hmmm), but most of the time rushing into something ends up with someone hurting.
I know, because I’ve rushed into plenty of things and found myself hurt by doing so.
Enjoy your break, I look forward to seeing what new insights you will bring us next year.
December 30th, 2005 at 11:52 pm
Very interesting post. Seems government leaders all around the world need to follow that type of advice.