‘We all need to believe in people. We must encourage them to dare to try and praise them for every success’
Nov 28 2008 The Journal
Over the last decade, a number of business leaders have taken on the responsibility of providing regional leadership. The tough economic climate now means it is more important than ever to find the next generation willing to follow their lead, says James Ramsbotham
”If you ever think you are too small to make a difference, you have never been in bed with a mosquito” (Anita Roddick, founder of The Body Shop).
One of the things that gives me great satisfaction is the ability of people across the North East (as ably demonstrated over the last ten years) to face up to challenges of all sizes.
We have matured during the last decade and decided to take responsibility for our own destiny. We have no desire to be eternally dependent on the begging bowl and public support. We do not wish to bow to the whims of international conglomerates that do not have our interests at heart but we welcome true supporters. We have spawned a whole host of businesses of all sizes which are home grown and which have personal and regional ambitions for the future. These enterprises are run by entrepreneurial men and women who are here to stay and have the will to succeed. They are vital for all our futures.
In the last 10 years we have seen a number of capable private sector people step up to the plate and take on wider responsibilities. They have grown in confidence and come to realise that the public sector leaders, good as they are, should not hold delegated authority from all of us for every aspect of our lives.
These individuals do not want to run our whole society, but they do wish to contribute to those parts where they have particular expertise or value to add. They perceive, rightly, that more leadership is required and they are willing to take up the cudgels themselves. It’s our lives and we should participate more than merely taking an occasional trip to the ballot box. The more inclusive our society, the stronger it becomes and more it can face all challenges.
The North East has so much to offer. This is a great place to start up and run a business. We have re-found our can-do attitude and grown in self confidence without losing our community spirit and our bonds of friendship. All of these provide the right environment that is crucial to success. They provide a wonderfully supportive culture in which to nurture aspiring leaders and enable them to flourish.
So we have the opportunity, we have some great role-models, and we have the support. Now we need the next generation of leaders. Right now, we need more of them than ever. Many of our most successful businesses were started when times were toughest. No one ever learned to sail a boat on a calm sea, no one really learns how to run a business in a growing economy. The greatest strength often comes from the greatest adversity. The sustainability and future growth of the North East is dependent upon a huge number of people taking the plunge and getting on with running their own businesses.
We need to attract the talent that is willing to take on this challenge. We need to help them become strong leaders who can cope with everything that can be thrown at them and help them to grow even stronger.
Leadership can be found in the school playground. It is well understood on the sports field. Leaders are crucial in business and in public life but we do too little to train and nurture talent in this field.
As an ex-soldier I am supremely aware that leadership means responsibility. I believe that we all have a responsibility not only for those who work for us but also to build this region and its people for the future. Some of the most effective leadership is that provided to those over whom we have no authority. Leadership through influence is what I feel needs to be nurtured.
I witnessed a great use of leadership recently. A rather disaffected young man arrived at a cricket club in this region, encouraged by his mother to participate, but clearly unwilling. The coach struggled with him for a while and then suggested that he may wish to be team captain for the next half hour. No one had ever given him responsibility before. He discovered something he had never experienced. He actually became team captain for the rest of the summer. He never missed a practice session or a match. His academic performance at school has been transformed. His mother cannot thank the coach enough for believing in her son.
We all need to believe in people. We must encourage them to dare to try and praise them for every success. We have to support them when things are tough. At our heart is a culture which does this already. If we can nurture and promote this ethos we will grow more leaders from our midst whilst also creating a climate which attracts people of ambition from elsewhere. Together, such individuals will enable this great region to realise its full potential. We need swarms of mosquitoes; we need them now and we can all participate.
James Ramsbotham is chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce
