Leadership in Public Life - Gladys Berejiklian

Gladys resigned as Premier of NSW last week as a result of an ICAC inquiry into her dealings a few years back . Whether she is guilty or innocent (nobody is perfect) -  she has bee an outstanding example of leadership in  Public Life - and In my view, NSW is richer  for having such an outstanding leader.

I, for one, believe that Gladys would make an outstanding Prime Minister one day! 

Below is a LinkedIn Post from the Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Policy to the Premier of NSW, Armine Albandian 

Over the past few days, there has been an outpouring of support following the resignation of Gladys Berejiklian. The love for her has come from people of all backgrounds and from all corners of the country and has been truly unprecedented.

Politicians can be hard to like, and I understand why.  

Politics is obscured by process and tradition, translated through someone else’s opinion, and executed with pragmatism that seems to forever trump ideals. It is the part of politics I like the least.

But Gladys was not your typical politician.

Throughout the pandemic, she entered our lives and our living rooms, and spoke directly to us. She never stood on ceremony. Gladys told it straight and she did so while leading us through some of our darkest hours as a nation.

She was a politician we could like.

We will remember her time in public life as a high watermark for dedication, resilience and courage. That she was the first female elected Premier in NSW is thankfully, now an afterthought.

Many people have been inspired by Gladys and have asked what it has been like to work for her for more than 6 years. This is what she taught me about public service:

1.    Work harder and smarter than everyone else, be persistent and always come prepared. If you do, you will find a way through any seemingly intractable challenge.

2.    Govern for everyone. It’s your job to understand what it means to represent the views of the citizens you serve. Never take the people you serve for granted, you govern at their behest and that is the ultimate privilege.

3.    Leadership isn’t about popularity and it’s not about perfection. It’s about making the best decisions based on the available facts and then holding your nerve. It’s also about apologising when you get it wrong.

I am proud 

I am proud of the Government’s work throughout the pandemic and bushfires. I am proud of the innumerable reforms that will impact lives for generations. And I am proud of the infrastructure that has transformed the city and state I first encountered when I arrived in Australia ten years ago.

Most of all, I am proud of my dear friend, this remarkable woman, for her spectacular leadership.

Credit to Teny Aghamalian for the black and white photo!