leadership — Body of Work

#172 Use Idioms, but Don't Take Us for Idiots

Leave it out! Use idioms to press your case, but do not take us for idiots. The Tasmanian public is thankful that politicians are asking questions and holding the state and federal governments to account.

We have stakeholders in empty bars telling us not to overreact as restaurants close due to a lack of staff.

There are cafes and eateries resorting to takeaway service because they dare not risk exposure.

Thankfully, the Premier has chosen to be more circumspect, prefacing most sentences with, "I don't wish to sugar coat it".

Leadership, Politics, NewsBrian Wightman9 January 2022COVID-19, politics, leadership, opinion

#168 Testing Times

Tim Paine would be the first to tell you he did wrong, sending lewd texts to a former Cricket Tasmania colleague. It was dumb and inappropriate and cruel and eventually, career-limiting.

But this is not just about Tim and Bonnie Paine - they are the high-profile casualties. There is also a victim who felt sexually harassed and if we have learnt anything in recent times, not believing or blaming the victim is wrong, damaging, and permanent.

There is also another victim, Cricket Tasmania, which allegedly lost money, with the former employee currently facing criminal charges. This is a separate matter, but, for completeness, must be mentioned.

ReflectionBrian Wightman29 November 2021cricket, test cricket, sexual harrassment, leadership

Finding Our Feet

There appears little room left in the Australian political landscape for big picture thinking. And with recent and historical events and disclosures uncovering a cretinous and perverted culture that we often surmised existed in the corridors of power, big picture moments of transformation will be left to artists - not the so-called thinkers who gather in Canberra to shout at each other.

By example, transitioning from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Constitutional Republic will occur in my lifetime. However, it appears that the current political class do not have the conviction, nor the following to bring this much needed reform to fruition, at least anytime soon.

Politics, ReflectionBrian Wightman16 April 2021Monarchy, leadership, Canberra, Federal plitics, politics, Constitution, Repblic

“Start spreadin’ the news…”

Now, New York City does not sleep because of the fear of what is to come to finalise the election result.

The tension underpinned by lies and caused by a failure to accept democracy including unconscionable comments that have been called out by major television networks, and the potential for civil unrest fortified by a reprehensible set of gun laws underpinned by a missing comma in the Second Amendment, has created a cocktail of conflict and concern for the future.

For the centre of the world: "If I can make it there, I'm gonna make it anywhere, It's up to you, New York, New York".

Portrait, AnecdoteBrian Wightman9 November 2020Trump, President, New York City, Obama, leadership, election, Presidential Election

"O Captain! My Captain!"

Being the public face of leadership during a significant and ongoing crisis is relentless. Day after day of press conferences answering, or not answering, questions and attempting to share information in an unpredictable environment is tough work.

Due to the tragedy of coronavirus deaths and the loss of businesses and livelihoods, there will be also be a mental health impact across the community.

Mental health is important to all of us. Staying strong during times of challenge or crisis or failure or grief or loss is difficult for the most durable minds. Mental health should not be weaponised,nor hidden or forbidden from conversation.

LeadershipBrian Wightman2 November 2020politics, leadership, leaders, community, COVID-19

Free!

As we waited for Catherine Freeman to adorn our screens last Sunday evening in an ABC documentary celebrating her triumph at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, I took a screenshot of a tweet from local contributor @sallyjgill who posted at 1.45pm.

Simply put Ms Gill shared a photo of road signs 15 kilometres from yingina / Great Lake festooned with red spray paint covering the dual name with a racist tag penned by a bogan showcasing all the traits that should make us cringe.

LeadershipBrian Wightman20 September 2020aboriginal, Cathy Freeman, social justice, racist, racism, education, leadership

Consistent Inconsistency

Twenty-twenty is akin to wartime where we ask leaders to bring us together, to help them fight the good fight. From bushfires at the start of the year to a health pandemic and subsequent global recession, it is difficult to recall a time where references to British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill and Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, have been more prevalent. But it makes sense.

In a crisis we need a familiar face to reassure us that everything will be ok. To look us in the eye and, with compassion, tell us what we don’t want to hear.

Reflection, Politics, LeadershipBrian Wightman13 September 2020leadership, leaders, premiers, COVID-19, decision making, consistency, inconsistency

The King's Foot

The US instructed either "put distance between yourself and other people", or six feet (182.88cm), the World Health Organization and Singapore chose one-metre and, underpinned by 1930's research, New Zealand went for two metres along with the UK who after finally falling for the metric system soon realised that it was easily explained with, "Och, just stay six feet apart - the height of your bairn, or wee'un, or littlin, or lad or lass..." affectionately used well after such descriptors should have lost relevance.

Jacinda and Scott

PM Ardern and PM Morrison have, at best, had their differences which appear to be diluting as they tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perhaps we just need encourage Mr Morrison and Ms Ardern to take on another challenge, another crisis where they can work together: coaching Carlton...

LeadershipBrian Wightman10 May 2020leadership, parliament, democracy

Part 7 - The Substitute Teacher

It is important to reassure substitute teachers that you are not going to harm your children's life chances. This crisis is like nothing most of us have ever seen. It has interrupted every aspect of our being with many critically ill and thousands of people dying across the world. Therefore, simply spending time with your children, whenever you can, is non-negotiable.

Part 6 - The School Board Meeting

The chairs were assembled long before the meeting was scheduled to begin. The Chairperson, the son of a dour no-nonsense Scotsman and a gentle English lady, sat waiting for other members to arrive. It was a Sunday in March and he felt unaccustomed being in a school setting even though he astutely guides the Scotch Oakburn College Board.

Leadership, PortraitBrian Wightman12 April 2020community, commuication, schools, education, board, leadership

When It's Not Business As Usual

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted a common theme in the way we go about our business - the inbuilt desire we all have for relationships with one another. BRIAN WIGHTMAN tells the stories of three Tasmanians adapting their styles.

The Principal's Chair

Schools are complex.

The very nature of providing education to young people who don’t always make great decisions builds in a layer of complexity that can’t simply be explained.

Leadership, ReflectionBrian Wightman15 March 2020schools, education, leadership, community

Triumph and Tragedy

Triumph is often associated with war, competition and, ultimately, victory. Great achievements borne of great struggle and sacrifice become stuff of legend.

Tragedy, conversely, quickly shelves the euphoria associated with triumph and balances the highs of victory.

Portrait, LeadershipBrian Wightman2 February 2020leadership, mental health, cricket, Tim Paine, Danny Frawley, triumph, tragedy

The Dogs are Barking

As December arrives and the festive season kicks into full swing, we find time to reflect, acknowledge and celebrate.

The end of the calendar year and heralding the new year often involves fireworks.

Leadership, AnecdoteBrian Wightman1 December 2019fireworks, crackers, farmers, drought, bushfires, festive season, dogs, New Year's Eve, leadership

Australia Burns and Venice Floods

For all the change and worry that living in an unpredictable landscape stirs, it also generates inspiration for greater understanding. Artists have continually asked questions through their works and I am glad our children are doing the same.

Leadership, PortraitBrian Wightman26 November 2019leadership, landscape, Australia, Venice, Ben Quilty, fire, Total Fire Ban

The even further Great South Land

From 1911-1912, the great race to the South Pole made Roald Amundsen a hero. Englishman Robert Falcon Scott and his four colleagues, in second place just five weeks after the Norwegian, lost their lives after perishing on the return journey.

Leadership, PoliticsBrian Wightman27 October 2019Antartica, Marine Protected Areas, CCAMLR-38, leadership, explorers, adventure

A Portrait of Dr Richard Harris SC OAM

Richard ‘Harry’ Harris exits stage left. The audience hold their applause until he is out of sight.

Portrait, LeadershipBrian Wightman22 September 2019leadership, Australia, Thailand, caves, rescue, Australian of the Year

Singapore Secrets

Tasmanian House of Assembly Speaker Sue Hickey recently described our public housing system as "not fit for animals".

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch's immediate response was to announce the second stage of Tasmania's Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 (Action Plan 2).

Leadership, Politics, PortraitBrian Wightman31 March 2019Singapore, housing, leadership

The Winner is Sid-en-ee

One airport, one runway operating and winds reaching 70 km/h cancelled my flight from Sydney on Friday afternoon. Collectively, travellers appeared calm and understanding, many having viewed the aborted landing of QF12 from Los Angeles.

Leadership, Politics, PortraitBrian Wightman2 December 2018Sydney, housing, pol, leadership, Launceston