Tony Blair on Leadership

In advance of his new book, ‘On Leadership: Lessons for the 21st Century’, Tony Blair admits that the political appointments system is unique in that it gives the ultimate power jobs in the country to individuals who have no experience for them whatsoever, and no proven ability.

Blair expounds three stages of leadership which have echoes of a first-time CEO transition: First, leaders “listen eagerly” because they understand their lack of experience at this level; second, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and they believe they know everything – or at least  enough to dilute the need to listed to others – something akin to the Dunning-Kruger effect; third, they have experience but realise they don’t know everything and they return to listening, learning and getting expert help.

Like many leaders looking back, he believes getting expert help from the beginning and getting on with the difficult, important stuff is something that should be done early doors. As ever, it’s the balancing of obtaining feedback and trusting your intuition that makes for good leadership.

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