Over the last few weeks, we have seen a first term government lose government, another 1st term government with a huge majority get wiped out and more than likely lose; and a first term prime minister having to survive a motion to remove him from his leadership role. Before that over the last few years we’ve seen 2 PM’s removed from office, a number of state premiers rejected by the people they are leading and countless expressions of dismay from a public that is over it all.

So what is the issue? I see a couple of common threads in all these instances:

1. A lack of vision for the future and the willingness to explain it clear, confidently and concisely to the people who are following them – both internal party people and the general public.
2. A lack of commitment to the tough correct decisions that may not be popular but they line up with where the leader wants to go – provided they have a vision for the future.
3. An inability to understand leadership and how to get the best out of people
4. Too many control freak tendencies and not enough relational leadership abilities.

The main complaint given about these leaders is that they lead by fear, intimidation and control. That does not work.

We have a lack of leaders in Australian politics because those who want to lead are only after position and fame. Not because they have the right ability to or that they care deeply about people.

Now the media doesn’t help but it is about time that we had people with good vision and commitment to fulfilling that vision lead this country.

The following quote I think sums up what is happening in this country at the moment:

“People want leadership, Mr. President, and in the absence of genuine leadership, they’ll listen to anyone who steps up to the microphone. They want leadership. They’re so thirsty for it they’ll crawl through the desert toward a mirage, and when they discover there’s no water, they’ll drink the sand.”

From the movie “The American President”

Isn’t it time to give them something better. Isn’t it time for our leaders to stop thinking about the next election and start to give us true leadership. And isn’t it time for us as people to start demanding this type of leadership.