Compromise - The Price of Leadership?

Life continues to be tumultuous and the world we live in a topsy turvy place.  Just this past week - in some of the bigger highlights of the times - we had President Trump issue several executive orders that started to put in action some of his promises from the campaign trail and here at home in Canada we experienced the tragedy of a mass killing, terroristic attack at a mosque in Quebec.

Sandwiched and almost overlooked or forgotten between the initiation of the "muslim" ban by Donald Trump and the killings in Quebec was a tweet by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.  If you missed the tweet or hadn't heard the news of it, here it is again:

"To those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of faith.  Diversity is our strength #WelcomeToCanada."

Some certainly saw this a direct and clear reaction to the executive order signed by Trump that indefinitely suspended admissions for Syrian refugees and blocked citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for at least the next 90 days. In the immediate aftermath of the tweet having been posted reaction to it seemed to have been as divided as the assessment of Trump's campaign and his embryonic presidency.  

One article I read with interest relating to Justin Trudeau's apparent stand on Trump's executive order came out of a National Post editorial (January 30, 2017).  I certainly could be challenged on my interpretation of the commentary, but what I took away as a conclusion was "don't poke the bear"...It was suggested that while useful in playing to some particularly anti-American elements within the Liberal Party of Canada or serving to bolster sliding domestic support the tweet could actually prove to be counterproductive to the quality of the [business, diplomatic, political] relationship that Canada needs with the US.  Trump is acknowledged as being at best mercurial and subject to seeing the world in very black and white terms (no pun intended) so standing so sharply in contrast to a key directive of his was deemed to be a mistake that could cost the country.

To be sure, other countries and other leaders have dealt with similar challenges over the course of history - and continue to do so.  We have only to consider how various countries and leaders have tried to deal with societies, countries, regimes and leaders with less than stellar track records on human rights - China, South Africa, Syria and the list goes on.  In many circumstances these debates have centred around what the cost to our business interests may be as related to the values and morals we espouse and live to in our own society or country.  Inevitably, arguments are offered as to the competitive disadvantage we might create for ourselves vis a vis other nations, whether we have the right to impose our own codes of conduct or expectations on other cultures, and even the possibility that by compromising in the short-term we might be better positioned to influence the moral codes of others in the longer term. 

So what possible relevance does this discussion have for your own personal leadership?  For me the debate around issues like these open the door to exploring how truly meaningful your own values are to you as a leader.  I have to believe that Justin Trudeau made his comment in concert with his values and what he believes or wants to believe about what the values of Canadians are.  That perspective is and will be debated.  As a leader you are also called upon to clarify, animate and support the values espoused by your company, organization or team.  If not the final arbiter and upholder of these values, your behaviours and actions will be a key determining factor as to what will be seen as acceptable for the team you lead.  

Of course this discussion presumes that as a leader you have actually adequately articulated, understood and communicated your personal values.  Similarly too, is the a similar question as to what work may have been done or not a team or organizational level.  This may be a strong assumption on my part.  What I have learned through unfortunate experience is that too many leaders have not done enough of this self-reflective work nor have they engaged sincerely enough or authentically enough with their teams in a group effort to define team or company values.  The result?  When the next storm winds blow decisions can often be made for the sake of expediency, to get along, to get the business, or just simply to stay out of the line of sight of any negative consequences (better that someone else take the slings and arrows than us).

I can't call that leadership.  For me leadership very much revolves around who you want to be and who you profess to be.  Leadership isn't just about espousing a philosophy and a commitment when it is easy to do so.  Leadership is about standing up for what you say you believe in when the times are tough and uncertain.  Leadership is about when you might even have to stand alone on the basis of your convictions and lose something of value as a consequence. 

It's About Leadership and if you thought leadership was easy you were wrong.  True, courageous and inspiring leadership is never easy.

What are you prepared to compromise as a leader?  What are you prepared to stand for?

_____________________________

Greg Hadubiak, MHSA, FACHE, CEC, PCC
Executive Coach/Senior Consultant
hadubiak@wmc.ca
780-401-2812

Helping leaders realize their strengths and enabling organizations to achieve their potential through the application of my leadership experience and coaching skills. I act as a point of leverage for my clients. I AM their Force Multiplier.