©2014 This Is Ltd

ACI World Human Resources Forum

Investing in Human Capital

Concurrent Workshop Session

‘Courageous Leadership’

Inspired by lessons from Nelson Mandela

Presented on behalf of ACI Europe Leadership & HR Forum

Ms Terri Morrissey and Dr Richard Plenty

Directors, This Is

www.thisis.eu

Seoul, Korea

26 May, 2014

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To look at the characteristics of courageous leadership and

understand better what it means in practice

To examine the importance of courageous leadership for the

airport sector

To identify the implications for the HR function in airports

To provide an opportunity for workshop participants to consider

and review the implications for themselves

Objectives

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Agenda

Input from facilitators (15 minutes)

Learning in small groups (30 minutes)

Plenary sharing (10 minutes)

Concluding remarks (5 minutes)

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A brick in the wall of

Mandela House,

Soweto, South Africa

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The ability, willingness and spirit that

enables leaders at all levels to

overcome their fears and face up to

risk, uncertainty, intimidation and

even danger with determination,

persistence, resolution, self

confidence and self possession

Courageous Leadership

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When it is necessary to speak out and tell the truth

To confront difficult situations and people

To persevere with a course of action in the face of

challenges and opposition

To make decisions that are in the best interests of

the organisation and others even where these

involve some personal risk

To build relationships and bridges with those who

are not on your side

Courageous Leadership is needed

Mandela Square

Sandton City, Johannesburg

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The Story of the Middle Way

‘Long Walk to Freedom’

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The Character of Nelson Mandela

“I realised that we were not different

people with separate languages: we are

one people with different tongues”

“ Even in the face of adversity, hostility

and lack of freedom, imprisonment and

potential death, he was magnanimous ”

“Virtue and generosity will be rewarded

in ways that we cannot know”

From ‘Long Walk to Freedom’

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Mandela’s ‘Courageous

Leadership’ Qualities

Brave enough to tackle the big issues

Long term perspective

Steadfast adherence to values

Objective and tough minded where necessary

Courage in the face of adversity

Resilience and mental toughness

Perseverance and patience

Willingness to accept personal risk

Driven by beliefs rather than personal gain

Awesome ability to build relationships & support

Communication, empathy and understanding

Respect for all, regardless of background

Forgiveness and compassion

Sought to find the middle way where possible

Leadership Framework

This Is…

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Airports need courageous

leadership …

In airports, there is a premium on reliable

operations and keeping risks to a minimum

However, sustainable high performance

requires a challenge to the status quo

Airports also experience periods of

change, uncertainty & turbulence

… ‘Courageous leadership’ needed to navigate these challenges!

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The Role of HR …

Take leadership on people and organisation matters

Ensure that ‘people issues’ are on the business agenda

Provide strategic support and challenge

Have the courage to

Challenge the status quo

Confront poor performance

Think bold and big

Take risks - and sometimes break the rules

Stand up for what’s right - not what’s easy

Make a real difference and impact

… Does HR need to raise its game to stay relevant?

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Learning Exercise

Learning Groups (30 minutes)

Reflections on courage. Think of one personal example of where you could show

more courage in your work. What would that look like? How would you feel?

What would be the risks and benefits?

Personal reflection; then share thoughts with a partner; then discuss in your learning

group (15 minutes total)

Courageous leadership. How important is it for the HR function to show courageous

leadership - and what more could it do?

Discuss in the small group (15 minutes)

Plenary Session (10 minutes)

Feedback on key insights in plenary and how it relates to HR practice

Personal commitments - what we personally could do in our communities/organisation

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Feedback from Work GroupsCollected from the learning exercise

Key points included:

HR needs courage to

• Stand up and be counted on change issues

• Walk the extra mile in un-travelled paths

• Be involved in strategic decisions

• Create innovation

• Tell the truth, however unpleasant and trust our intuition

• Deal with conflict and performance issues

• To challenge management assumptions and redesign the relationship

• To encourage employees to have courage themselves, to spread message that they

all have a role, to spread belief in the organisation, to encourage challenge

• To be fair, work for all employees, maximise development of potential, retain talent

For ourselves we need to handle failures better, ensure we have the rights skills and

competencies and realise that we have a vital role to play in building the organisation’s

most important resource...its people

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Concluding Remarks

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Make sure you know what you stand for,

communicate this clearly to others - even if it is not

the popular view

Create an environment where there is mutual

respect, cooperation and listening - where people

are encouraged to speak openly

‘Reach out’ to build relationships with a wide range

of people - even apparent adversaries

Look for pragmatic solutions which aim to preserve

everyone’s interests - take the middle way

Be patient, disciplined and persistent

Act in a way that is consistent with what you say

Lessons from Mandela on

Courageous Leadership

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Our Parting Words…

Thank You!Terri Morrissey & Richard Plenty

ACI World HR Trainers

ACI Europe Co - organisers

Leadership & Change Mgt. Summit

ACI Europe AirPeople™ Survey

ACI Europe ‘Leading Change &

Internationalisation’ Working Group

ACI Asia Pacific Member of Panel of

Judges HR Excellence Awards

Regular Column Airport World

Many years ago, a young aspiring student

had to take part in a competitive three and a

half hour examination to get into the

prestigious university of his choice. He

entered the examination room, turned over

his paper, and read. There was one question

and one question only, on the exam paper.

'What is Courage?' was the question in front

of him. The student thought for a few minutes

before writing : 'This is …’

He handed his paper in and walked out of the

exam room three hours early. He got an offer.

Contact us: Terri@thisis.eu or Richard@thisis.eu