The new year has begun precariously for many. We continue to hear about the austerity measures that individuals and entire countries around the world must take to get back on track. But is it austerity that we need or is it really audacity… and a little “Tall Poppy Courage” that’s going to make the vital difference in creating a better future?
Last night in New York I had dinner with Phil Scanlan, Australia’s Counsel General to the United States, and his wonderful wife Julia. It was an honor. The conversation was rich and diverse as we discussed my experience of living in the US for the last decade, my impending return to live in Australia and, in light of all the changes and challenges around the globe, opportunities to contribute to building further alliances between the US and Australia and empowering a new generation of young leaders. We also touched on Australia’s “Tall Poppy Syndrome”, a cultural phenomena in Australia likely born from our convict ancestry and fueled by a desire for egalitariasm. Over the generations it has evolved into a tendency for Australian’s to bring back down to earth anyone they felt might be getting too big for themselves. Unfortunately it’s also likey stymied many from pursuing their dreams with the gusto and daring needed to achieve them.But I believe passionately that to lead the lives we are capable of – rich in contribution, daring and purpose – we must first be willing to stand out from the crowd . After all, how can we expect to have outstanding success if we aren’t first willing to stand out? And never has there been a more important time for us to be willing to step out, stand out and challenge “status-quo” thinking. To risk being a Tall Poppy. Locally, globally, daily.
Margaret Thatcher once said, “You cannot lead from the crowd.” She would know. We cannot lead others by walking the path of safety. Nor can we lead ourselves the same way. As the global economy vacillates between signs of recovery and omens of collapse, I strongly believe the world will be served far better when people like you, and me, and the leaders we elect and follow, act with greater “Tall Poppy Courage.”
In every adversity lies opportunity. But it takes boldness, audacity and courage to extract it. In our personal lives, and the challenges we face in our relationships, our finance, family and faith. In our professional lives, and the challenges we face in our jobs, our industry, and the economy at large. More than they require playing safe, they demand taking risks.
Now is a time for audacity, not austerity. Are you willing to risk it? More so, can you afford not to?
Live Boldly, Lead Bravely!
Great article Margie!!! Yes I get so darn tired hearing about how we have to knuckle under, tighten our belt, play safe, and be more cautious. You are spot on. We need to push back on status quo thinking and take more risks. So glad you are going to be going global in your message. It's one we need to hear the world over. Am sure Australians need it as much as Americans do also. Keep being a Tall Poppy. Lord knows we need as many people with courage as possible in these times.
Marcus, Austin Texas
Thanks Marcus. Yes, "World here I come." As I wrote in my posts, we can't lead from the crowd. IN fact, we can't do much at all when all we want to do is conform.
Stay Courageous.
Marge
Now is definitely the time for audacity. Every new year is an opportunity to stand out and make a difference, and this 2012, here’s hoping we all engage in our passions, love our work, stand out and help others do the same!
Some 40 years ago I was a victim of the "tall poppy syndrome" in Australia, particularly in the television news sector where I worked. My wife and I went to Canada and within one year I was National Assignment Editor for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's network television news service. CBC recognized my skills and rewarded me accordingly. My work there took me to CBS News in New York as Senior Foreign Producer. Later, when I sought to become Head of AuBC's News Division and was interviewed by phone for the position I was told I'd been away from Australia too long and "didn't know the country any more!" It's always puzzled me why CBC and CBS News never worried about whether I "knew the country". I knew and understood television news and how to get it and how to produce it. It's now too late for some 50 years of journalistic and television news production skills to be passed on to a new generation of media wannabees: I've retired.
Hi Louis
Thanks for your comment. I'm sorry you had such an unfortunately experience with the "Tall Poppy Syndrome" given how much talent you obviously had to share back in Australia. Their loss.
I wish you all the very best in your retirement.
We are all under so much pressure right now given the uncertainty in the economy and job market. It's hard to feel audacious. But I think your final question, "Can we afford not to?" really brings home your point. The reality is that we aren't going to get ourselves out of this mess by playing safe and being austere. We are going to have to embrace innovation and ingenuity and take bold risks.
Thanks for such an insightful article.
Keep challenging us all Margie. You do it so well.
Robin Garner, Santa Monica, CA
So true Robin. We are going to have to embrace innovation and ingenuity! The Bolder the better. The sooner the better.
Margie, thank you so much for all of your advice and encouragement this past year. I wish you all the best and hope you will continue to send out your emails. I know you will thrive wherever you are planted.
Aileen
Margie, you never cease to amaze me with your capacity for packing a lot in to life. Including writing a blog as you pack your house up! Your energy, your passion and your love of life are truly inspiring and I know that you will only continue to thrive and prosper in Australia.
Please know that you are changing lives simply by the way you are living yours.
Raelene, Houston TX
Margie: I really enjoyed learning about the Tall Poppy and courage. You have always provided stories that people can relate to and take on. Thank you for that.
I really enjoyed this post. I have been in the US for about 10 years now. I have a senior state government job which I enjoy immensely and I feel that the US has given me great opportunities. That said, every time I go back to Australia I see a country that is increasingly unhindered by thoughts of what can’t be done and constantly looking for what can. Australia is a lot like the US, just smaller – which makes it both more fragile and more nimble. Australia needs to work at it. But like a good race car, when it is tuned just right it can smoke the competition.
It seems every day there's a new headline about how many people lost their job at some company. So thanks for the reminder that it's important not to get swept up in the current of fear that the media loves to whip up.
I really liked this post. I have been in the You for around a ten years now. I feature a senior government government job which I enjoy immensely and in addition I feel that the You has given me great possibilities. Which mentioned, every time I homecoming to Australia I see a nation which is increasingly unhindered by emotions of just what can't be done as well as regularly looking around for what can. Australia is like the US, just easier – making it concurrently a lot more fragile and much more nimble. Australia should work at just it. However like a good event vehicle, whenever it is tuned simply perfect it can smoke cigarettes the competition.
I leave a response whenever I like a article on a blog or I have something
to valuable to contribute to the discussion. Usually it is a result of
the fire displayed in the article I looked at. And on this post A time for Audacity, not Austerity… and
some Tall Poppy Courage! | Margie Warrell | Bestselling Author, Speaker,
Forbes Columnist. I was actually excited enough to drop a comment
😉 I do have some questions for you if you tend not to mind.
Could it be simply me or do a few of these
remarks look like they are left by brain dead folks? 😛
And, if you are writing on other online sites, I would like
to follow everything fresh you have to post. Could you
make a list every one of your public sites like your twitter feed, Facebook
page or linkedin profile?
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