Brian Anderson The Western Front www.sunlive.co.nz

Leadership positions are available, not just in the Bay, but all over the world.

I listened to the Davos conference last night – they were discussing currency and economic policy, but they decided political change and lack of leadership was causing the most concern throughout the world. It wasn't the tools of change, the cell phone and social media. The problem was defined as hyperconnectivity, which was making all conventional wisdom of leadership redundant. The days of one-way conversation between leaders and the people are over; it has to be two-way today.

A new type of leadership will have to take over the world where, because of this hyperconnectivity, leaders are appearing dumb and slow and the people smart and chaotic. The new SmartGrowth strategy planning document for the Bay describes this threat as increased public scrutiny. We have been living in a world where committees have ruled supreme, our leaders are ruled by their chief executives and the media question the ruling class with only a few lines after the sport, teenage driver deaths, abused children and grieving mothers. How will we recognise these new leaders? What will you need in your CV for your application? The qualifications and job definition are very simple.

The speakers spoke of political and economic innovation that is moving down, all the way down, and happening fast. Our new leaders will have to recognise this and unleash what is happening with the people now. New leaders will have to be students of history and have had the time to consider and evaluate the changes. They will have to have experienced many failures, learned from them and still retained their resilience and determination. They will have to be over 55 years of age. We have just identified that today social responsibility needed for any leadership role doesn't kick in until about 33 and they will then need a significant apprenticeship and experience in working with and considering people. University qualifications are for young managers, but experience will be the main qualification for our new leaders.

Our new leaders will have communicated their willingness to confront our anxieties and we will follow them willing to do what we don't want to do to achieve what we do want. Pushing austerity measures and rigid controls are recognised as a sure way to ensure a collapse in society. We want leaders, not consultants. Thinking outside the box won't be much use if the people are going round in circles. Committees and collective memories of what is the right way are out of date. Conventional wisdom only exists because conferences like this reinforce what is conventional, even though it may be out of date and wrong. The new leaders will have to flaunt conventional wisdom, listen to the people, communicate their vision and be active. I am not talking about good management. I have a textbook on management that doesn't mention the word leadership. Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things and getting away with it.

You had better consider these facts in your CV. The Global Financial Crisis is affecting New Zealand. Mr Key stated that our emphasis must be towards Asia, not Europe or China. Our local bodies are currently meeting under SmartGrowth to plan a strategy for our future. The government is pushing spatial planning and, by the way, we don't have any cash, only debts. Times are tough and you shouldn't have much competition. The forum believes that the recession is getting worse and will last longer than the depression of the 30s. When we are choosing our leaders, remember these were the times when the people chose Hitler, who managed to blame the Jews. Now is not the time for blame. Now is the time for you, a true leader for the Bay of Plenty, with your driving force, motivation and message for everybody is simple, clear direct and states… (please insert goal here).

Applications close March 15, email sunwesternfron@yahoo.co.nz. Previous applicants need not apply.