I met with a couple of colleagues last week and explored the concept of the ‘enlightened’ Scottish leader.
We brainstormed a number of characteristics/attributes of the ‘enlightened’ leader. I’ve tried to put them into coherent groups and them given each group a related Value. The seven values (would you believe it) are:
Integrity; Openness; Commitment; Vigour; Compassion; Authority; and Judgement
This is very much work in progress but the associated dictionary definitions provide some semblance of logic and at least mean something to me. Comments welcome.
Value: INTEGRITY
Characteristics:
Honesty – truthfulness, sincerity
Self-critical – capable of criticising oneself objectively.
Pragmatic – behaviour that is dictated more by practical consequences than by theory or dogma
Independent – Free from outside control; not depending on another’s authority
Moral Courage – the ability to act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal, or discouragement.
Transparency – operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed
Value: OPENNESS
Characteristics:
Free thinking – inclined to forms one’s own opinions rather than depend upon authority; exhibiting boldness of speculation; skeptical of authority.
Enlightened – having or showing a rational, modern, and well-informed outlook
Tolerant – able to tolerate the beliefs, actions, opinions, etc., of others
Innovative – to renew or improve things
Value: COMMITMENT
Characteristics:
Hardworking – characterised by hard work and perseverance
Service – the action of helping or doing work for someone.
Duty – refer to what one feels bound or obliged to do.
Resilient – recovering readily from adversity
VALUE: VIGOUR
Characteristics:
Aspirational – strong desire and ambition
Energetic – possessing, exerting, or displaying energy
Dynamic – pertaining to or characterized by energy or effective action; vigorously active or forceful; energetic
Positive – tending to emphasize what is good or laudable; constructive
VALUE: COMPASSION
Characteristics:
Humility – is the quality of being modest and respectful.
Co-operative – marked by willingness to cooperate
Compassionate – feeling or showing compassion; sympathetic
Complementary – combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize each other’s qualities.
Generous – liberal in giving or sharing; unselfish; free from meanness or pettiness; magnanimous.
Supportive – providing encouragement or emotional help.
Receptive – ready and willing to receive favourably
Humour – the faculty of perceiving and expressing or appreciating what is amusing
VALUE: AUTHORITY
Characteristics:
Competitive – having a strong desire to succeed.
Decisive – having or showing the ability to make decisions quickly and effectively
Confident – having strong belief or full assurance; sure
Determined – marked by or showing determination; resolute
Passion – a strong liking or desire for or devotion to some activity, object, or concept
VALUE: JUDGEMENT
Characteristics:
Long-term – lasting, staying, or extending over a long time
Rational – having or exercising reason, sound judgment, or good sense:
Learner – someone who learns or takes up knowledge or beliefs
Considered – thought about or decided upon with care
This is good. Would suggest the phrase “self-awareness” rather than “self-critical” as I think self-awareness” is wider and more encompasing and also includes being self critical.
Best wishes
Garry
Some further ideas Don but there are probably no right answers!
From Integrity, move self critical and transparency to Openness, and pragmatic to Judgement.
Add moral compass and fair to Integrity.
From Compassion, move complementary to Judgement, receptive to Openness and humour to Authority.
Add kind and respect.
Rename compassionate ( in title anyway) as empathetic.
From Openness, move innovative to Vigour.
Add self aware ( as Garry points out different to self critical)
From Authority , move competitive and determined to Commitment.
From Judgement, move learner to Openness.
I am intrigued to learn a bit more about what particularly distinguishes an ‘enlightened Scottish leader’?
Under value Commitment and sub heading resilient I would add ‘ ability to learn from and recover from failure’.
Under the Value Vigour I would suggest you add ‘adaptable’ under the sub heading Dynamic. In this section you might also wish to add ‘Responsive to change and opportunity’.