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Imagining self as social leader
Everyone can be a just leader if you chose to be was the message at the packed 14 July 2011 Just Leadership Just Imagine breakfast in Melbourne titled Imagining Self as Social Leader. Guest conversationalists Michael Ullmer, Deputy CEO of NAB, Elliott Costello, Gen Y founder of YGAP and Kin Folk Cafe and rocker and East Timor social activist Paulie Stewart spoke openly and movingly of how their passion was ignited to make a difference in the world. Michael Ullmer, a passionate believer in anti discrimination, urged everyone to 'do the right thing' saying honesty in knowing and acting upon core values in all your life, personal and professional, was essential. Elliott Costello said we should all try to build a social purpose into our everyday lives and the rewards will come; he called on everyone to find their passion and use their skills and influence to help others. Paulie Stewart reminded us we were in a lucky country and that we were bound to 'spread the love'; that in giving you get back far more. Feedback from the Breakfast was that everyone there was moved, inspired and activated to be Just Leaders.
We absolutely believe that this is excellent and vital, but we no longer believe it is enough. Increasingly we see that if we want a better world, a more just world, we need to build a bridge across the growing divide from the other side. A just society, a more compassionate society, the kind of society we all want, needs people like us, at every level, doing what we can. From pulling the levers of power, to influencing from the bottom up, to being kinder and more compassionate to the people around us and those we meet on the street. WE have been amazed as we have set about having conversations about Just Leadership, at the response - and we have a growing sense that we are part of something profound and very exciting that is going on in society... It's like a deep undercurrent that is bubbling beneath the surface of our society – beyond the glitz and the glam - the breath of something new that is blowing us in a new direction. When we talk with people of goodwill at the top, or the middle or the bottom of corporate hierarchies, with people working in Government organisations, in universities, in the not for profit sector, and with the young, and with the very old.. we hear the same thing over and over... We WANT to do more about building a better world - a more just and compassionate world makes sense to us! We want to be more of contribution, make our lives count for more. What do we need to BE and DO to realise this?!!!! Pamela Webb, Just Leadership Director PODCASTS FROM THE BREAKFAST WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON Next Just Leadership Breakfast: Thursday 8th September 2011 |
We used to think that building a Just Society was principally about doing our work with the marginalised on the ground, and working to influence government policy.