In anticipation of Gordon Brownís election as Prime Minister, leading global performance development consultancy Lane4 questions whether Gordon Brown has the mental toughness required to step into the shoes and looks at some of the leadership skills he will need to possess if he is to stand a chance of re-election.
ìA crucial attribute of any successful leader is personal leadership. Before you can lead others, you must be able to lead yourself.î, said leading psychologist Professor Graham Jones, co-founder of Lane4. ìFor this, you need to be mentally tough, decisive and self-assured. There is always the temptation to lead those who are easy to lead and neglect those that are hard to, but Brownís multi-faceted leadership, in which he must lead his peers, willing or otherwise and Britainís public, requires him to focus on both to ensure his success and a longer term in office.î
It is expected that Gordon Brown will be elected without competition, but he may also face unrest from within his party, especially if some of his peers feel they would have been better suited as Blairís successor.
ìI have experience of a company director who was promoted above his peers to managing director,î said Jones. ìSuddenly this person was chairing meetings and leading his ex-peers, but he faced a huge vulnerability because some of them felt they could do better and as such there was hostility and reluctance to comply. Brown has been labelled ëStalinistí by the British press and his own backbenchers, implying he is dictatorial, controlling and secretive. Brown needs to shake off this persona and be a strong, charismatic character in order to win respect all round.î
He continued: ìThis is where personal leadership plays a huge part, especially amongst MPs where there is huge politics. Brown must deal with pressure, believe in himself and focus on the job in hand. Brown will inherit many serious political and economic issues such as the Iraq situation and Britainís relationship with the US. Typically leaders need to stick their necks out, which makes them highly vulnerable and lonely, but self-belief will see Brown through.î
Is Gordon Brown mentally tough enough to succeed?
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