A warrior leader shows great bravery on the battle field, leads from the front and takes risks. A recent advert for a chief executive said the ideal candidate would have the heart of a leader! So do you still need to demonstrate courage to be a respected leader? And what does this courage look like now that it doesn’t involve a fight to the death and skill with a deadly weapon?
If you were considering applying for this well paid executive post how would you evidence you had the heart of a leader? You could write about the times when your values have clashed with decisions of your employer. The time you strongly disagreed but accepted the decision and what you would not compromise on such as a cost saving measure that put the health and safety of employees at risk. Your determination to standby unpopular decisions if they are the right decision. Your willingness to address employees directly and belief that if you explain the thinking behind decisions you can take employees with you even if they don’t agree with the proposal.
The importance you attach to gaining and maintaining the trust of partner agencies and colleagues which is in your opinion essential and worth the time and effort required. Of course building trust means putting your faith in others and that involves taking some risks. You are of course mindful of the organisations reputation and therefore the board’s need for reassurance that you are never the less a safe pair of hands.
How brave do the Cabinet want the successful applicant to be? Brave enough to take on the Trade Unions, brave enough to stand up to a hostile media or front up an anger service users meeting but perhaps not so brave as to routinely challenge the Cabinet. ( something you maybe only get away with once).
Your never say die attitude and determination have on more than one occasion in the past enabled you to turn things round and triumph over initial setbacks. Admittedly this persistence when told to desist has on occasions brought you into conflict with the hierarchy but you’re usually proved right.
