Nick Clegg's Leadership Dilemma

So in a week that showed Ed Miliband's leadership of the Labour Party was coming under pressure again, comes bad news for Nick Clegg. His party have currently lost three-quarters of their support since the last General Election.

This isn't surprising. The Liberal Democrats are no longer the anti-government protest vote. They have been absorbed inside the Government, and serve a valuable role for the Conservative party.

The majority of public dissatisfaction at Government performance, becomes directed at the Lib-Dems. Why? Because they represent the weakest point of the Government. Cameron and Osborne have the confidence and surety to build a shield of immunity against public criticism.

Nick Clegg can't come out from such a platform of certainty. He is standing on the thin ground of compromise, where to many, he appears to have exchanged power for principles. Thus leaving him vulnerable to charges of selling out.

The Lib-Dems have been on the outside looking in for the last century, mounting critical attacks on successive governments. Now that they are on the inside, they have lost the core strength that their role as outsiders gave them.

That ability to stand for fairness, equality and justice, has become absorbed in the government machine. For all Nick Clegg protestations, they have lost their unique voice. The leader appears dis-connected from the party's core values.

Clegg now faces a huge leadership dilemma. Does he stay locked into government, and try to find the voice of protest and change, that amplifies those values. Taking a position of defiance, becoming The Outsider whilst on The Inside.

With the enormous risk that his party could go the way of The Greens in Ireland, and get wiped out at election time, by an angry public wanting to take out their simmering frustration on the perceived weakest link.

Or can he re-connect to his party's DNA, and from out of those core ingredients take the path that naturally amplifies Liberal Democrat's role in British politics.

With people not generally sure of what Ed Miliband stands for, there is a vacancy on The Outside for a leader who can champion the views and feelings, of those who don't feel represented by the coalition.

Nick Clegg is getting warning signs that spell significant long-term trouble for the Liberal Democrats. He will likely take the long view that those polls will change in time.

But for the polls to change, he has to change. He has to start to tell it like it is, and be his own man. Challenging the government publicly, when he disagrees with policies and direction. An Outsider on The Inside. Or has the compromise of power, suppressed his ability to speak freely? The polls suggest this is the case.

Martin Perry is a Leadership Coach. He specialises in helping leaders cross the bridge of change with natural confidence and self-assurance. He can be found at http://www.coachingtheleaders.co.uk/

Original article

Ed Miliband - His Leadership Dilemma

It's TV's 'The Weakest Link'. And the following tough question is posed to a hopeful contestant. 'Politics - The Miliband Brothers are called David and?' 'Joe' comes back the answer, after a thoughtful pause.

This after a newspaper article described the public perception of the Labour Leader as 'weird'. And then there is the attack by Lord Glasman on Ed Miliband, describing his leadership as having 'no strategy, no narrative and little energy'.

Plus the recent incident on Derby Station, where the Upper Crust sandwich-maker, upon serving the Labour Leader, said 'It's David isn't it?'

The general public, right now, simply do not seem to know who Ed Miliband is. He has a major identity crisis on his hands. It's not that he isn't trying. But right now Ed can't connect with his audience.

He comes across as bright and genuine. But the general public do not know who Ed Miliband really is and what he stands for.

Ed - Why not for the next twelve weeks abandon London and get in the tour bus? Visit every major town and city in Britain. Five nights a week. And talk to people. Face to face. Field their questions. Hear their troubles. And fill them with hope and inspiration.

Let your guard down and show the British public who you really are. Be open, honest and caring. Talk to the people in a language they understand. Not of policy. But of empathy and problem-solving. Ditch the PR experts and be true to yourself.

Soon you will tap into the zeitgeist, and discover a language and tone that matches the needs of the times. People will learn who you really are and how you can help them.

It will take openness and honesty for Ed Miliband to commit himself to such a tasking. But right now, with his personal poll and recognition rating at a low point, he has nothing to lose and everything to gain.

It's in times of personal adversity, that a true leader finds the spirit of courage within themselves. And that time is now for the Labour Leader.

Sure it's early days for Ed as he integrates himself into the nations psyche. But public identification is critical. And if people don't yet know who Ed is, then he needs to clarify a few things.

He can't be seen as just another politician. People have had just about enough of that. They need something different. Something new.

Ed has to step out of the shadows of the Labour Party and the unions who support him. And rise above politics. He somehow has to create a vision of the future of Britain. And a strategy as to how we will fashion that future.

A vision that is uplifting and inspirational. That takes us out of the gloom of failing currencies and declining industries. A vision that is a picture of a new time. Of who and what Britain can become. A vision that we can believe in and subscribe to.

In other words, Ed Miliband has to become a visionary leader. He should surround himself with the most imaginative thinkers available. And with them, create a picture of Britain in ten years time. A Britain where the best of the nations strengths, qualities and talents is utilised.

The times call for daring and imagination. If Ed does has these qualities, then people won't be mistaking him for Joe or David. They will feel and know him to be the man leading the nation to the promised land of the future.

Martin Perry is a Leadership Coach. He helps modern leaders cross the bridge of change with natural confidence and self-assurance. He can be found at http://www.coachingtheleaders.co.uk/

Original article