GOOD CHAIRMANSHIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 151, 29 June 1932, Page 6

GOOD CHAIRMANSHIP

chairmen are few and far between, and it is a pity. This democratic world demands much from the men who are entrusted with leadership. Far more, in fact, than is appreciated by the average person. One cannot learn the art of chairmanship from books, nor can he fit himself for the task by practice unless he fully understands its responsibilities. A prior qualification in the man who takes the chair is an ability to lead. That must entail sufficient brain energy to permit the formation of a policy. Many a local body is handicapped because its chairman sits with no other thought in life but to talk, listen, and put the motion. To propound a policy is drastically far from his conception of chairmanship. He simply waits for “something to turn up” from the aimless discussion of his fellow board members vainly seeking leadership. It is a pity that when local bodies choose the men to guide them they do not pay more attention to their qualification for the job. If that had been done consistently in the past the world would not be appealing so strongly to-day for men fit to lead —men with a policy.