It’s a simple question. As the 21st century unfolds and we move towards a truly global economy, the leadership role in our city, in driving economic success, prosperity and social wellbeing is increasingly becoming more important and continually changing.
New Yorkers look to Michael Bloomberg. Londoners look to Boris Johnson. Sydneyites look to Clover Moore. All mayors. All are known for the influence they bring to the leadership role and their positive outlook and vision for their city’s future.
Now, think about it. Who is leading the fight for our city’s economic future?
My argument is simple; cities of the future need leaders of the future.
Smart modern cities need a leader on top of their game – not from the left or right of politics. But a leader who has influence and a positive outlook and vision for their city’s future. Someone who is known to attract and surround himself or herself with the very best talent and inspires the community – not divide it (Gordon, don’t mention the figs).
Like it or not, you can’t fight the future, although many of our city’s current crop of civic and business leaders are guilty of trying. We live in a world of great advances in technology that are having huge implications for the delivery of existing and new forms of services including government, education, healthcare, communication and transportation. And like the industrial revolution of the 1700’s, traditional jobs and business models have to quickly adapt to new trends in the digital revolution.
Just as a company needs to invest time and energy searching for the best leader to stay competitive, so does a world-class city. It is, after all, like a business competing with other cities.
So, if Newcastle really wants to become a smart city, then why shouldn’t we invest a little more time and energy trying to unearth a new leader with the skills and influence to secure our city’s economic future?
Why shouldn’t we look to people who are shaping the future like a Jack Dorsey (creator of Twitter and the founder and CEO of Square ) or a Jeff Bezos (founder and CEO of Amazon) for our next Lord Mayor of Newcastle?
