Calgary Herald

Clark, Prentice showed genuine leadership

Real leaders unite people, writes Heather Klimchuk.

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Our words, actions and emotions take us in many directions every day. We are all leaders in our homes, workplace, community and practise many styles of leadership depending on the daily challenges presented.

Are you autocratic, democratic, strategic, transforma­tional, laissez-faire, charismati­c or a coach? More than likely, we are a blend of some of these styles as we navigate the world we live in.

In my opinion, the most inspiring leaders listen, provide direction, implement plans and motivate people.

One of my favourite quotes by former first lady Michelle Obama states that, “People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.”

I have always admired leaders who are authentic because this leadership style “emphasizes building the leader’s legitimacy through honest relationsh­ips with followers which value their input and are built on an ethical foundation.

My real-life definition of authentic leadership includes people who lead by example, walk the talk and use their emotional intelligen­ce to inspire and lead. This means being self-aware, mission-driven and leading with your heart, while also being able to have those difficult conversati­ons.

This year marks the 40th anniversar­y of the election of Canada’s 16th prime minister, Joe Clark. His approach to leadership has always been about being authentic and being a servant leader.

When I was in high school and attending the University of Alberta, I was very fortunate to experience many campaign meetings in my home with Joe and others in his run for leader of the federal Progressiv­e Conservati­ve Party.

He won in 1976 to the surprise of a many, but not to the hundreds of volunteers who believed in him. While his term as prime minister in a minority government from 1979 to 1980 was

Clark’s vision of Canada certainly applies to our diverse Alberta today.

brief, what struck me was the incredible loyalty of his team and the hundreds of hours volunteers gave across Alberta and Canada.

This included my family and many former colleagues who have subsequent­ly served as MLAs and MPs. We all learned to be team players and, most of all, relished being part of a wonderful journey with a humble, authentic leader who we all wanted to serve.

As leader of the official Opposition and then as secretary of state with Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, Clark continued to be respected and always served with integrity. An article by Paul Deegan in the National Post, Feb. 1, titled, “Canada needs more leaders like Joe Clark,” notes that Clark was always able to find common ground and a higher purpose with dignity, moral rectitude and determinat­ion.

We are all from a “community of communitie­s” and Clark’s vision of Canada certainly applies to our diverse Alberta today.

This past week former premier Jim Prentice’s portrait was unveiled at the Alberta legislatur­e in front of his family, former and current MLAs, and business and community leaders.

All speakers praised Jim for his outstandin­g public service and his deep love of his community.

I knew Jim when he was a volunteer on the 1976 Joe Clark leadership campaign, and admired his passion and enthusiasm as we recruited delegates from across Canada.

A full-circle moment for me was being appointed to Jim’s cabinet in 2014 as minister of human services and knowing full well what was expected of me.

Jim’s authentici­ty was based on his integrity, kindness, hard work and his love of family. This was noted by Cassia Prentice at her father’s state funeral in 2016.

The extremism and nastiness we are seeing today from leaders in every sector does not help build bridges and solve problems. Every leader has some elements of authentici­ty, but I maintain that the qualities of being genuine, open and positive are rare.

My mantra is a leader is only as good as his or her team and no one wins the race on their own.

Heather Klimchuk is a mother, local volunteer board member, Alberta Ballet director, mentor at Peter Lougheed Leadership College and former cabinet minister and MLA for Edmonton Glenora.

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