Perspectives on Leadership

Major-General Andrew Ritchie is the newly appointed Director of the Goodenough College. Last evening, as part of a series of activities for Welcome Week, he delivered the inaugural Port Talk, speaking on "Perspectives on Leadership". It drew a capacity crowd, with most - myself included - having just come from enjoying the first Dining In night at the College. No one turns down a free meal.

I had broadly understood the concept of after dinner seminars, but had also been wondering what Port Talks could mean. Yet it was a no-brainer, really. Plenty of port was served. The only thing missing was some good cheese.

The General was able to draw upon his vast and long experience in the British Army. With a very approachable manner, he shared many anecdotes and stories, but he sought also to present what he considered were the five key principles of leadership:

• Integrity
• Loyalty
• Humanity
• Communication
• A Sense of Fun

I enjoyed the talk thoroughly. To illustrate these principles, Gen. Ritchie brought up many examples from his military background. The five qualities he cited are certainly worth emulating, on both an abstract and a practical level.

But I think what's difficult is how one then interprets and translates these principles into reality, applying them across different contexts. Take loyalty, for instance. What does that mean? Loyalty to whom?

I am reminded of this scene from Yes, Minister, one of my all-time favourite classic British comedies. In the episode A Question of Loyalty, the Minister Jim Hacker is caught - as he always is - between the civil service department which he leads, and the political Cabinet, to which he also belongs. In short, evidence of civil service waste has surfaced. A parliamentary select committee's breathing down his neck. Should Hacker defend his department? Or should he take a more contrarian approach? You can get a brief synopsis of the episode here.

Midway through the episode, Hacker is summoned to Downing Street, where he meets Sir Mark Spencer, special advisor to the Prime Minister. They discussed the concerns raised by the Select Committee. What course of action should I take, Hacker wonders. Spencer replied that the answer was obvious. "There's only one course open to you. Absolute loyalty."

Hacker agrees immediately. On the surface, it seems an easy principle to agree with, a platitude, almost. But then he freezes. "Who to?"

"That's your decision," Spencer responds tersely.

And therein lies the problem. Loyalty to whom? We all have multiple roles and identities. When we're faced with a problem in the office, perhaps even an ethical issue, it's easy to proclaim the need for loyalty. But does that mean loyalty to oneself? Loyalty to one's family? Loyalty to one's department? Loyalty to one's superior? Loyalty to the political leadership? Loyalty to the public interest? It's never an easy decision. Perhaps, a true leader is one who'd be able to make the correct judgement.