A Tale of Two Successful Leaders

Two of Australia's most successful politicians are today in very different places, and showing very different character.

Both Prime Minister John Howard and Queensland Premier Peter Beattie have been very popular leaders. Both have brought in very important reforms to government. Both have raised up several sons and daughters in their realm, trained and mentored to take over the reins.

Peter Beattie yesterday announced his retirement, and power will pass seamlessly to his deputy, Anna Bligh.

John Howard should have announced his retirement a year ago but is clinging on to power, and in all probability will lose the election in a couple of months' time.

Peter Beattie will remain a legend in Queensland politics.

John Howard will be remembered as a good Prime Minister who just could not let go.

All leaders, whether in the realms of politics, business or in the church, have a responsibility to raise "sons" who will not only carry their heritage forward but also increase it.

Both John Howard and Peter Beattie realise this.

But the trick is to know how to pass onto your spiritual sons the blessing of letting them take over and to trust them in the process. It's about letting go at a time when they have the best possible chance of taking what you have produced and improving on it.

For all people in leadership this is a huge challenge. When do I recognise that it's time to move on?

Some leaders are so paranoid that they squash all potential successors. Some will raise them to only a certain level where their own gifts and talents are not to be eclipsed by the next generation.

A wise spiritual father will see that everything a son achieves reflects honour to himself and so he will try to make sure that the successors actually achieve more than he could himself.