Post 1990 Speech Index   ACT Related Index

Speech to the Northern Electorates of ACT NZ

ACT has begun a primary election campaign with the purpose of helping caucus choose a new leader. This afternoon I want to examine what qualities ACT members should be looking for in the person who gets their vote. Remembering that all great leaders have integrity and are usually exceptional in 3 or 4 other areas (qualities) while using others with exceptional qualities in areas they are not so strong in.

Before outlining the qualities I will be judging candidates on, I wish to make one other point - past actions, past behaviour is the best guide to future actions - Leopards don't change their spots.

What then are the top qualities I will be looking for when I vote for the next ACT Leader?

I will ask myself:

• Who among the candidates acts at all times with honesty and integrity in his/her dealings with others?
• Who is genuine and sincere and does not seek to manipulate other people?
• Who always says what they mean and acts accordingly? Who is true to themselves?
• Who would I trust to raise my children or look after my money if the need arose?

• If you had a problem who would you approach knowing that your problem would not be talked about with anyone else?
• Who is best suited to ensure the ACT Team work together to achieve their stated goals.

• Quality leaders always stand for something, they have a clear sense of direction and a set of core values and beliefs that drive them at all times. Which candidates have this important characteristic?

• Good leaders spend their time on what is important. They concentrate on the task at hand and do not get side-tracked. They have the ability to concentrate their efforts towards important outcomes. Discipline is always more important than natural ability.

• They do not fiddle around with inconsequential matters or issues (such leaders end up as mediocre ones).

• A picture of what New Zealand would be like if everything were operating according to the plan they articulate. Which candidate best articulates your vision?
• Is capable of translating that vision into specific objectives and then
• Building support for the vision.

• Big important leaders have always been prepared to admit mistakes and change course if need be. Great leaders keep their ego under control. They recognise that popularity is temporary, respect forever. They always believe in something bigger than themselves and they demonstrate it on a day by day basis.

• All leaders need guidance, which of the candidates is most likely to:
• Listen to their staff before they make a decision?
• Surround themselves with quality staff, not friends or people who will simply say "Yes Minister"?
• Look at the staff and you see the person.

• What sort of characteristics do you want in your leader? Think about recent and current leaders (Peters, Brash, Clark, Prebble etc) and ask which of the characteristics they have do I like or not like and then think of our candidates.
• Leaders treat others with respect. They keep their word. They make decisions with the organisation in mind (ACT) rather than their own personal agenda. They are open and transparent.

• Who among the candidates is most likely to recognise and praise good performance?
• Who will allow other ACT members a place in the sun and not feel threatened by it?
• Who is most likely to recognise their own strengths and weaknesses, especially weaknesses and cover them adequately?
• Who will best establish goals for ACT and ensure that they are translated into action plans for MPs and others?
• Who will inspire others to high performance?

Remember, without integrity, nothing else matters - win, win, win if you can but integrity at all costs.