Road Transport Suffers from Weak Leadership
Page 35
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THE lack of support given to their associations by the
majority of hauliers has, I am convinced, created weak leadership, and this is one of the main seasons for the present position in which the industry finds itself. I am not in the least surprised, for it seems to me to be only logical.
Due to lack of interest in their own industry, often due to pure selfishness, the professional operators have not obtained the best men to represent them, and they cannot blame those who have given their time in this respect, without proper support, if they have been unable to produce good results.
Many of these representatives have hot been elected on account of their ability to rise above self-interest, and the various authorities have clearly treated the industry with the contempt which they think it deserves. With apathetic followers, the leaders can easily become slack, and, in the end, each lose respect for the other. If they be allowed to reach agreement, on behalf of those whom they are supposed to represent, and fail to give an account of their activities, they naturally become a danger, and they should be relieved of their positions.
An individual's standing is not always a good reason for his ability to be a leader, for there is oftedmore seainterest when position is considered too closely. The article by "Tantalus," in "The Commercial Motor" dated July 17, gives the position very clearly, and it is quite apparent that he knows his subject. As he says, strong and courageous leadership by individuals who have the courage of their convictions, and who can be relied upon to place service before self, principles before platitudes, and have no personal axes to grind, is badly needed. • The suggestions which he gives are also most sound and desirable, and there is no more time to lose. I would suggest that his second suggestion could be enlarged upon to some extent, but in moderation.
It' is up to the industry to wake up, and to discover the men Who have the qualities which he describes, and they may be found if sound judgment be exercised, and petty jealousy can be overcome. They will have to be carefully selected by merit, and not from their political achievements. It will need courage to make changes for the proposed new order, but operators should not be afraid to remove those who are not their true leaders, and who have studied their own interests under the cloak Of studying those Of their followers.
I have not seen much sincerity in the industry, I regret to say, and am often disgusted with the self-seeking which abounds in certain circles, high and low, but I have not given up hope, for I believe there are men who can still be foundand induced to „come iorward for the good of the cause which is also their own. There may be some self-interest in their doing so, but not to a dangerous extent, if they study the democratic nature of their position and respect it.
This is no time to take the narrow view, but to use the best brains available, if it be not too late, and to give the leaders the fullest support. They should then be inspired to give of their best, and confidence will be
created where it is sadly lacking. PIONEER. London, N.W.4.