Following the widescale industrial action on the railways last week and the threat of potential strikes in other areas of industry, Lecturer in Leadership Joel Montgomery from Kent Business School delves into Mick Lynch’s simple yet powerful public rhetoric and the lessons that can be learned through his triumph in the battle for benevolence.
“Benevolence is the motivation to pursue the common or collective good. The term is increasingly linked to good practice in management and reputational management within businesses.
“The railway strikes last week highlighted the power associated with being perceived as an individual driven towards a common good. Coverage of the national rail strikes formed a triadic relationship between the press, RMT union and government figures, all fighting to be hailed as benevolent despite conflicting ideas of what this ‘common good’ is.
“Mick Lynch, RMT Leader, emerged as the star of the moment and showcased the power of simple sincerity. His unwavering leadership style and unflappable retorts to questioning was a force of nature. While the press and government have sought to paint the man as self-serving, Lynch’s consistency to explain he was merely pursuing a common good was powerful, no matter how the train strikes affected a great deal of people.
“As strikes are now unfolding amongst barristers, doctors, and bus drivers, could they all benefit from the Lynch Lesson of Benevolence? Communications from leadership figures in a time of change or unrest that are rooted in simplicity often prevail. Lynch has demonstrated that not being drawn into narratives (instead rebutting them as ‘twaddle’ ‘lies’ and ‘nonsense’ and sticking to his message) served to highlight the simplicity of the antidote his union seeks as a resolve – the correct pay packet and no threat of job losses.
“Was Mick Lynch driven by self-serving motivations or a common good? It’s impossible for us to conclude the truth, but one thing his performance has shown us is that leaders – in the public or private sphere – should stick to simple, key messages to drive change and influence others. The results can be surprisingly powerful.”