What we’re thinking
Leadership lessons from Lincoln – am I prepared to put my name to this?
Dr Aidan McQuade and I first met nearly 20 years ago when we worked for aid agencies towards the end of the civil war in Angola. He was leading Oxfam’s humanitarian work and I was living next door working with Concern. He always got me thinking. In our downtime he used to beat me at chess – and I couldn’t figure out how to beat him. His reflections, questions and opinions on a whole range of topics also always got me thinking. And I’m still embarrassed at burning the chicken when he hosted the award-winning BBC journalist Fergal Keane for an evening barbecue. What was I thinking?! And when I read his recent speech in Belfast to the Management and Leadership Network, he got me thinking again. So I wanted to share it. And maybe get you thinking too.
In his role as CEO at Anti-Slavery International Aidan combines, in his thoughtful and challenging way his own leadership experience with that of others, to challenge the status quo and campaign for change. One of his favourite topics is Abraham Lincoln – he was his ‘chosen specialised subject’ when Aidan won BBC Mastermind so he knows a little about the guy, and in particular his leadership qualities. And in this speech in Belfast, Aidan drew on Lincoln, as well as others, to provide a perspective on leadership and to offer a challenge. It’s worth a read. And a reflection…
Take a look here.
Andrew Bidnell is a professional certified coach and an experienced consultant who founded InsideOut Consulting in 2006. The focus is on leadership and communication and, in particular, the challenge of engagement – of self and of others – to achieve maximum impact and fulfillment. He has worked internationally with 1,000+ leaders in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors, always seeking to facilitate, challenge, support and unlock potential that lies inside an individual, a community, an organisation, and bring that strength, passion and knowledge out for maximum impact.