Collaboration or confrontation in the 38th Parliament?

• Author: Valeri, Tony

This article argues that although a minority Parliament might cause us to rethink our understanding of leadership, the principles of effective leadership in a democracy are equally applicable in a majority or minority setting.

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A few years ago, I read an article that has stayed with me, about the changing skills that leaders of multinational corporations need to succeed in the New Economy, and what change might mean for Canadians. The article said:

... the traditional [leadership] style of leading the troops over the hill to conquer is out of favour in an economy increasingly marked by mergers, joint ventures and co-operative networking. Being able to work collaboratively--delegating responsibility and appreciating diversity--is becoming the way of the New Economy ... Canadian senior executives are in the enviable position of being leaders in this approach. (1) According to this article, business leaders now think that the traditional, tough-as-nails, take-no-prisoners kind of leadership belongs in the past. By contrast, today's corporate leader is expected to excel at teamwork, relationship building, negotiation and communications. This article went on to say that in the New Economy, those countries whose culture and values encourage collaboration are more likely to succeed in leadership positions. Canada, it concluded, is such a country.

In other words, in an increasingly diverse and complex world, the best way to succeed is not by trying to steamroll the competition. Working together is often a better way to get results.

To me, this shows that there are two competing views of leadership. One emphasizes the power to issue commands and rules, usually from a remote location. It regards involvement with others--especially competitors--as interference that only diminishes the power of the leader.

The other emphasizes collaboration. In this view, far from being diminished by working with the competition, leadership can be enhanced and strengthened by it.

Over the last decade, I have been involved in many debates about leadership. Now, as the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons--in a minority Parliament--I find myself in a unique position to test some of the ideas and see where theory, meets practice.

The answer to the question "What kind of Leadership do we want in Parliament" depends on who you ask--or, perhaps, on how you look at democracy. Let me explain with an example based on personal experience.

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