When Leadership Fails

If you have been a follower of this blog you know that I often address the subject of leadership. Today I am going share with you a conversation I had friend last Friday. We were discussing leadership and how easy it is to do the wrong things.

In particular we were analyzing the behaviour of Edward Burkhardt, Chairman of Montreal Maine and Atlantic Railway, which is the railway responsible for the Lac-Megantic rail disaster.. At first Mr. Burkhardt defended his employees, then quickly moved to what seemed to be blame mode. First he judged the engineer, then the firemen. The most recent news is that Mr. Burkhardt may have rushed to judgement too quickly.

He has at last count adopted a turtle mentality. At no time has there been anything resembling leadership. No taking responsibility, no apparent offers of aid to the devastated community. Just withdrawal and apparent stonewalling. My friend and I concluded that this is not leadership. What could have been done differently? Fly to the affected area immediately. Bring other senior leaders. Volunteer resources, money and aid. Show the community that you care and that you are sorry. Trumpeting a safety record means little when the failure is so large.

When you think about leadership in your life and work, what do you see as important qualities? Does Mr. Burkhardt’s seeming failure of leadership strike a chord? From where I sit I don’t see leadership, I see old style defensive management.