Pearls & Irritations have graciously published the many articles I have written over the last five years on Donald Trump. I’ve written about his inciting the insurrection on 6th January 2021; examined his lack of moral virtue using Aristotle’s taxonomy as a template, contrasted him with other world leaders; and critiqued his negative influence as a pseudo-transformational leader. I’ve spent time and energy thinking about this man, and the possible implications for leaders elsewhere apart from the good olde US of A. However, from now on, I’ve decided to go ‘Trump sober.’
Greg Latemore
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Leadership lessons: ‘Look back in anger’ or ‘look forward in hope’
Students of leadership might shake their heads in disbelief at the recent re-elevation of Donald Trump as the 47th president of the United States of America. What comes to mind, is a play written in 1956 by John Osborne, called ‘Look Back in Anger’ giving rise to the phrase ‘angry young men’. (more…)
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Responding to tragedy
Much has already been said and written about the recent tragic stabbings at Bondi Junction. Daily, we are also exposed to stories about the ravages of war, hopefully neither suppressing nor being overwhelmed by them. As a funeral celebrant, I am familiar with, but never complacent about death and suffering – indeed, it is a privilege to stand with those who miss and celebrate the lives of their loved ones. How can we deal with all this death and suffering? (more…)
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A deep sadness: reflections about the racist treatment of Stan Grant
As the people of Thailand say, ‘same, same.’ Here we go again. Another indigenous Australian, and this one an educated, travelled, and articulate First Nation public intellectual is being maligned. (more…)
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Grief and closure
Grief is not something we ‘get over,’ or we must ‘move on’ from. The truth is we grow into grief; we do not get closure from it. (more…)
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Valuable or valued: implications for employment policy
If the COVID-19 pandemic is teaching us anything it is the important contribution of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals, hospital workers and teachers. Health, people, and communities are precious. (more…)
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‘The bell tolls for Pell and the church I knew’
As some gather to honour the passing of Cardinal George Pell, I lament what the Church has become under clerics like him. When I was a priest (1975-1980), the Church had a credible voice, and priests were respected as pastoral leaders. With some hope for the future, my feelings lately are of sadness. (more…)
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Scott Morrison: anti-leader, absent leader, or maverick?
What sort of a leader is Scott Morrison? Most of us want our leaders to do well but does our PM have the capacity to do so? Has he grown as a leader in the role or not?
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The wisdom of crowds during COVID-19. Really?
James Surowiecki made a convincing case in his book ‘The Wisdom of Crowds’ (2004) arguing that many of us usually make better decisions than do a few of us. However, some of us are now shaking our heads in disbelief at the collective stupidity of people during these COVID-19 days. What is going on here? (more…)
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Oligarchy versus Democracy: choices of power for leaders
At coffee with some mates recently, we puzzled over this – it seems the political choice evident in world affairs at present is not between democracy and communism but between democracy and oligarchy.
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Moments of truth for Morrison: lessons in transformational leadership
Many of us are watching and listening intently to our PM and his Government at present. There are some serious lessons to be learnt about leadership. Two are suggested here – one being ‘transformational leadership’; the other concerning ‘moments of truth’. Morrison and his Government don’t seem to grasp either. (more…)
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The Trouble with Men: the reason for March4Justice
This is embarrassing to write as I share the gender and the age demographic of many who are problematic in our society. What is it with some men? What don’t we ‘get’? Don’t we realise we can’t and shouldn’t treat women the way some of us do?
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Is Trump a virtuous person? Let’s ask Aristotle
As Donald Trump has departed the world stage, one wonders about the man he is. Let’s look behind his Presidency, and use Aristotle’s 12 virtues to assess Trump, the person. (more…)
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Meanness versus mindfulness: Trump versus Biden
The contrast in the content and tone of the final days of Trump’s Presidency and the early days of Biden’s is stark. Trump bungled, blamed, and bullied; Biden already seems competent, considered, and compassionate. Apart from Me-ness, Trump’s Presidency was also characterised by Meanness; Biden is already showing a certain Mindfulness. (more…)
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Flawed followership fosters failed leadership
The visual gallery of the front-liners who broke into the Capitol building is revealing. Long have Americans had a fascination for the cult of individual leadership. Uncritical and sycophantic admiration of a political leader only leads to endorsing their entitled autocracy. (more…)
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GREG LATEMORE. A Tale of Two Leaders-Trump and Ardern.
The contrast between two national leaders in these ‘interesting’ times could not be more pronounced. The differences between America’s President Donald Trump and New Zealand’s Prime Minister, Jacinta Ardern are remarkable. (more…)
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GREG LATEMORE. Can Scott Morrison Learn to Lead?
Scott Morrison is facing a significant leadership challenge: how to learn to deal with ‘wicked’ problems. The PM’s situation is complicated by a manifest loss of confidence in his capacity to do so. The question is – “can Scott Morrison (or any leader) learn to lead?” (more…)
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GREG LATEMORE. Morrison’s Leadership – Some inconvenient truths about authenticity.
Morrison’s Leadership – Inconvenient Truths
Scott Morrison has recently confronted important truths about leadership – your credibility as a leader has to be earned and it is very easy to lose it. Just being confirmed in the position as a leader does not necessarily make that person a leader. (more…)
