Inbox: Leadership for our times

Dancers in wheelchairs, former Governor General, student whose leadership opportunity arose from the Christchurch earthquakes, Pacifica cultural group, young partially sighted social entrepreneur and scientist and former New Zealand of the year – are, on the face of it, unlikely collaborators for an evening’s entertainment. But this group, illustrating leadership in many guises, entertained and informed the 200-plus guests assembled at the Auckland Town Hall for Leadership New Zealand’s annual dinner as part of Leadership Week celebrations.
Although it may be hard to draw superficial comparisons between the individuals who took the stage, each one demonstrated courage, compassion and commitment – the three elements of not-for-profit Leadership NZ’s current leadership for our times catch-cry.
The disabled Touch Dance Company performers demonstrated triumph of the spirit over the body. The Dilworth Cultural Group represented their school with pride and Sir Ray Avery and Sir Paul Reeves spoke with the mana their achievements and positions afford. But the night belonged to Christchurch university student Sam Johnson, instigator of the ‘student army’ enlisted to help Christchurch residents deal with some of the aftermath of the earthquakes and Minnie Baragwanath founder of Be. Accessible, social change campaign.
Johnson’s achievements, stemming from nothing more than desire to help, are remarkable given the confusion and lack of resources that surrounded the earthquake. The speed with which the ‘army’ formed and mobilised shows the power of social networking and online communication tools can be force for good in crisis situations.
Be. Accessible is both brand and an accreditation framework for accessibility; and has a vision for 100% accessible country for all New Zealanders.
The speakers and performers were hugely diverse but all demonstrated the leadership qualities of courage, compassion and commitment, identified in Leadership New Zealand’s annual programme. M

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