Running the country?

It was during the Blair administration in Britain that one heard the expression “running the country” most frequently. Often from his publicist/enforcer, Alastair Campbell, or from Deputy PM. John Prescott. But also from Tony Blair himself.

And I still hear it, a bit less frequently in and around David Cameron’s coalition.

It’s such a gross misunderstanding of the role of leadership in government. People talk about “running a company” (that’s where the phrase has been borrowed from). It’s an unlikely concept, even in the corporate world, filled as it is with self-importance.

I’d much rather hear from politicians (and corporate leaders) reference to service. That’s what they are there for.

Now running a bus. That’s more like it. Or running a bath?

Nothing to do with me, mate

My friend Peter Quantrill was a bit shocked by the inept response of the chairman of Australia’s cricket selectors, Andrew Hilditch, following his team’s drubbing at the hands of England in the Ashes series in Sydney.

“I think we’ve done a very good job as a selection panel,” said Hilditch, unable to shoulder any responsibility for the rout.

“I figure someone in his position would have undertaken a modicum of media training,” Peter wrote to me.

And yesterday we had MI5’s chief of staff, giving evidence at the inquest into the 7/7 bombings in London, saying that it would be “nonsensical and offensive” to suggest that the security service bore any responsibility for the 52 deaths. (Silly me. I’d thought it was their job to detect and forestall such things.)

It all puts me in mind of the recent BP fiasco in the Gulf of Mexico.

In fact, although I occasionally coach people in media relations, I'm rather ambivalent about the value of media training. For example, if BP CEO Tony Hayward (above) had been better coached, he might not have veered wildly between the inappropriate and the obstructive, and could well still be top dog there.

In the end, I’d rather leaders were just themselves in response to media interrogation. Better for everyone in the long run.

And always better to assume responsibility.