Julia Middleton's Thoughts on Leadership » civil socity

Leaders need to be aware of and respect cultural differences

Julia Middleton — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:26:13 +0000

I was brought up to have no respect for any position, age, background or title. My father told me that no one was better than me other than as a result of their ability, experience, achievements or character. At best people like this in me, and at worst they think my lack of deference is downright rude.

I went to a lunch with that Morgan Tsvangirai , who was in London as part of his “European Safari.” He tried to explain just how impossible it is in his culture for the young to challenge an old man. He said that it was simply inconceivable, and so deeply disrespectful as to be unthinkable.

I tried so hard to understand. The expression “Respect your elders” was almost a tease in my childhood home and has never been used in my own family. My children would laugh me out of the house.

It is such a deep, deep difference. While I am in China, I need to keep it at the front of my mind or I will appear rude.

Enterprise or self interest?

Julia Middleton — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:00:48 +0000

I had a difficult conversation with an investment banker friend yesterday. He expressed relief that things were starting to look better, and to indicate that the basic banking model was not totally flawed. I asked him what kind of people would be needed at the top in the future. Even though he is a good friend, and knows that I am far from anti-banks, I could hear him curdle. He said that the people at the top of enterprises would always be motivated primarily by making money, and that there was nothing wrong with this.

There is nothing wrong with being motivated by money (quite the opposite), but it’s the “primarily” word that’s the problem for me – I think it belittles enterprise. I have always understood that the role of enterprise is to create the wealth, deliver the goods and provide the services that society needs. This is a fine objective for enterprise, one that puts it at the heart of society. Surely there is a difference between enterprise and self interest?