Working out what to say
When I was running for International Director in 2022, I was asked about a controversial topic involving conflict between two countries. There was an expectation that I would take a particular position, but I didn’t. I knew some people wouldn’t vote for me because of this. But being in an election process isn’t just about securing votes, it’s also about embodying leadership.
Being here for everyone
It wasn’t that I didn’t have a personal position. But my duty was to be a leader for all our members, no matter their country. So I talked about being from a neutral country, Ireland, which has been part of UN peacekeeping since the 1950s. We have views on what is happening, that’s only human, but we aim to do the best for everyone under difficult circumstances.
This challenge of what to say and how to respond to wider world events is something many leaders grapple with. I’d like to share how I am working with it in case it helps.
Turbulence today
Running again for Board election in 2025, there are controversial topics today too, with political, social, and economic turbulence worldwide. These topics come up in my calls with leaders as they can, and do, have an effect on Toastmasters and our members. Although I have personal views, I seek to listen, understand and explore how we can make things work for all our members.
On one call this week, a controversial and divisive matter came up in our discussion. I realized that our position as leaders in such circumstances can be to foster community based on what we all have in common rather than what can divide us. We are an amazing organization that cares about growing people to develop their confidence and voices, and their ability to become better leaders—this transcends whatever might divide us. In fact, in turbulent times, people need us even more!
Living our values
It can be hard not to say what is on your mind, especially when those things touch on your personal values. Two ideas help me navigate this. One is that, in choosing to serve as a leader in a global organization, my purpose is to focus on being of service to everyone. I try to stay in service to that purpose. The second is that whatever is going on in the world, I can still look to live my own values, behave consistently with them, and be a role model for values-based leadership.
None of this is easy, and I am still reflecting and learning every day. But I hope this is helpful for other leaders working out how to do the right thing when it comes to leadership talk in turbulent times.
