Leaders and leadership in action - imagined and real

When it comes to good leadership we all have our own favourites and benchmarks.

For me there are historical, sporting and popular personalities who I sometimes imagine to be addressing one of mychallenges on my behalf soldier Wellington, explorer Shakleton, John Lennon (he lead a generation) and particularly footballer Bobby Moore. They all had leadership qualities and style. I never met any of them so my imagined contributions cannot be distorted by real contact.

However I did have the great pleasure of working alongside Sir Richard Attenborough a few years ago.

It is sad to see his passing he was a great guy everything that is being said about him is true. He certainly had great leadership qualities and he had style.

As part of a Buro Four Project Management team I was closely involved in the Centenary Project for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) the complete reconstruction of its premises in Central London and the rejuvenation of the organisation as the preeminent acting and theatre school.

Dickie was the President of RADA and our client, customer, sponsor, advocate and fund raiser.I remember him as compassionate, committed, tenacious, generous and wily as he was in his approach to being an actor, director and producer on film and for very many other good causes.

In our case he was absolutely central to providing a wonderful, hard won, unique, enduring educational legacy.

He brought simplicity and directness to all issues.

It was a difficult, sensitive, long project. It was the best of times.