I have had an amazing week,
seeing and participating in events that have really made me think. Outside work, I’ve enjoyed an excellent cream
tea and listened to two world leaders discussing Africa at Ashridge;
I have seen the Royal Shakespeare Company’s (RSC’s) production of Wolf Hall; attended the Deutsche Women in
European Business Event: Impact: Be the
inspiration; and watched the
final night of HEART by Zendeh,
before going out to dinner with a wonderful couple - the creative set designer
and her artisan cheese-maker husband - and their friends. Certain significant themes
have entwined and enlightened in each of the above events, including:
- Inspiration;
- leadership;
- the importance of detail;
- conviction;
- obsession;
- betrayal;
- control;
- getting things done in difficult circumstances;
- love;
- repercussions;
- nationhood; and
- diversity.
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| Paul Coen, Kai Peters, Dr Nikosana Moyo and F. W. de Klerk at Ashridge |
For a while it seemed as
though there were going to be fisticuffs, but both men came to an area of
common ground based on the importance of values and the significant opportunities
for Africa going forwards. President de Klerk stressed that his insistence on a
constitution and a constitutional court have been instrumental in ensuring
on-going stability in South Africa and that he acted as a true leader, even
though much of what he was proposing at the time was unpopular (indeed, in 1992,
he lost enough bi-elections that he was under pressure to call an election, but
instead called a referendum, in order to validate support for his vision of
“totally abandoning separateness and embracing togetherness”, and to maintain
the momentum of change). Mr de Klerk acknowledged that the timing of world
events proved fortuitous for him when he was trying to introduce change – specifically,
the fall of the Berlin Wall, the elections for independence in Namibia and
troops coming out of Angola – they all helped make change in South Africa
easier to effect.
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| F. W. de Klerk ready to talk with Dr Moyo at Ashridge |
Both men advocated against
political leaders espousing policies simply to ensure popularity – as de Klerk
stated - it is a leader’s role to convince people to follow his/her lead,
instead of advocating a route and formulating statutes based on the simple
tenet that they will appeal to the electorate – “don’t just feed back what the
poles say. That’s not leadership.” Both
stated in different ways that they believed that the Western World does not
have the leadership it deserves and that if the leaders of a nation allow
“everyone to have a voice it is un-leadable”. However, that is not to say that
an inclusive approach is undesirable, simply that there has to be direction and
at times tough decisions have to be made.
Another point raised is
that it is probable that going forward South Africa will be run by coalitions
(as the ANC “must split” due to the conflicting viewpoints within the party – an
uncomfortable mix of communists and socialists as well as those who support the
commercial market). Both men commented on the difference between modernisation
and westernisation – the uptake of mobile usage and the impact that
connectivity is having, in areas where infrastructure has traditionally been
poor, is being felt. Both expressed concern that in post colonial and Apartheid
countries, local people still need to learn how to run substantial businesses –
just because you like flying does not mean that you are fit to direct an
airline. People need to have the appropriate training and knowledge to do their
jobs. Emulating the ways of the past is
unlikely to lead to success in the future, but experience is growing. In the
modern world there needs to be “confident black management and leadership” –
some hard lessons have been learned, such as not “paying in the wrong currency”
Perhaps one of the most
interesting aspects of the discussion was the debate over the type of
leadership that is culturally appropriate in a specific country or region. It
was mooted that the US and British forms of democracy need to be modified to be
effective in Africa; there should be some accommodation of local culture and
traditions. Dr Moyo used the typically consultative
approach of the Sub-Saharan region to illustrate why he believes that this is
so – in the southernmost countries of Africa, it is traditional for the leader
of a tribe to deliberate and discuss options with tribal elders, prior to
making a decision on behalf of the community (Nelson Mandela writes about this
in his book Long Walk to Freedom). Having
grown up in Asia and worked in the Middle East, I concur that there are
different approaches towards leadership and local/national governance that are
hard-wired into a society. For political empowerment to be effective and
leadership to be successful, they need to operate within the norms of the area
in which they are established. When the populace of a nation become
disillusioned with the politics and politicians of a region then the electorate
become disengaged. The poor/falling
electoral turnouts in the UK and Europe since 1979, indicate apathy and
disconnection. People do not value the power of their vote, as they see it, or
the function of the to-be elected representatives for whom they could vote, as irrelevant.
In the week of the 25th
anniversary of Tianamen Square, I find it sad that people feel their voice is
worthless. All great change has required support (and appropriate adoption) to
cement it into society. At the Deutsche “Women in European
Business” Event, 2000 attendees at the Barbican in London roared their
approval for other women’s achievements. Joanna Lumley’s explanations, as to
how she engaged people with the Gurkhas’ cause
and is now campaigning for a Garden
Bridge across the Thames in London to be designed by Thomas Heatherwick, were
inspirational, as were the comments by the panel, in particular Ann Cairms of
MasterCard who has successfully moved from the Energy sector to run an
increasingly more ethically minded Financial Services business.
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| Proposed design for the Garden Bridge by Thomas Heatherwick |
The power of women was
also exemplified in the excellent RSC production of Wolf Hall – it is the story
of Thomas Cromwell, set in the time when Henry VIII wished to divorce his first
wife of nearly 20 years, because he was captivated by Anne Boleyn and desperate
to produce a male heir. Cromwell – the son of a humble blacksmith and a
one-time mercenary, lawyer, astute politician and devoted family man - exemplifies
support for a leader as well as demonstrating an awe-inspiring ability to
pursue and achieve his own agenda. Wolf
Hall, the play is full of intrigue, betrayal, obsession and momentous
repercussions – a superb production. Henry VIII was a wilful and erratic monarch
– decisions often made with apparent spontaneity, depending on who had
influence over him at any time, but the consequences of his leadership are huge
and still have an impact on our modern world - the Anglican church, the
monarchy and resultant colonial legacy, that was to commence in earnest during
the reign of his daughter. I am off to see the second play “Bring Up The Bodies”
in what is in effect a double bill – I shall say no more about either here as I
am sure more comments will follow.
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| Courtly dancing at Wolf Hall |
And finally…my trip to HEART,
brought my week full circle – the play is set in the early 1950’s, at the time
of the Mordad
coup (so called Operation Boot, a plot to overthrow the Iranian Prime
Minister orchestrated by the UK and USA) Despite having just privatised coal
and rail in the UK, the British and Americans did not support the Iranian
government’s plans to nationalise their oil industry and took drastic measures
to try to protect their interests. I was particularly captivated in this story, as
my paternal grandfather was a “wildcatter”
in the region early last century, discovering oil for what ultimately became
the Anglo Iranian Oil Company (the very entity that the Iranian government
wished to nationalise in 1952). My father was born in Persia/Iran and for me,
the play taught me about my roots, I loved the Farsi singing and poetry as well
as broader political and philosophical matters. In addition to being a complex
reflection on nationhood and control, the play was a triangular love story
founded on concepts of devotion, obsession and duty. The difference in attitude
between Western and Middle Eastern society was a powerful theme and not
dissimilar to the cultural issues raised by Dr Moyo and former President de
Klerk at the start of my week. Like the inside of a pomegranate, there is complexity, individuality and distinct sections to be found within each country, business or relationship, even when concealed behind what seems to be a simple and unified exterior.
I found it interesting
that each event I attended seemed to raise and discuss similar themes. From
intimate political discussions, through well-attended conferences to superb dramatic
productions, the sessions demonstrated the power and influence of leadership
and following. Like lovers, true leaders have conviction and can inspire others to take
actions that they would be unlikely to do in isolation. We need to be
mindful of cause and effect and be aware of the impact we ourselves can and do
have on those around us - we must "be the inspiration".
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