The underlying theme of the 28th January event at the Belgian Embassy in The Hague was leadership and change. Prof. Koen Becking, currently CEO of KRO, one of the most successful Dutch Broadcasting Organisations and professor extraordinary specialised in leadership at the Stellenbosch University, South Africa, gave a general overview about leadership particularly focusing on the public sector. 

From Plato to Machiavelli, up to the most recent cases of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, leadership is across the century seen as peculiar to people with a clear vision, capable to inspire and motivate masses to achieve the set goals. As a result a leader is very different from a manager. Warren Bennis quotes that leaders do the right things, and managers do things right.

Prof. Becking’s speech then focuses on leadership in the public sector, which has characterised his research at ROI particularly in the context of the European Community.

The balance between political and bureaucratic leadership is key to be successful in the public sector. The former is primarily focused on the short term and quick wins to ensure sustained power, while the latter is focused on the long term and corresponding tactics to achieve the set goals. Overall, he concludes, despite the various differences in leadership style there is a very important element to consider: people working for the leader. It is all about creating a vision engaging the right people, who will then support the implementation…like a shepherd with his flock, citing a quote from Nelson Mandela.

Fabio Campanile, June 2008