Australia Day: Is the date really the issue?
February 12, 2021The issue regarding Australia Day goes much deeper than the date 26th of January.
Much of the rhetoric (noise) has been dominated repeatedly by the extreme views put forward from both ends of the spectrum: (either it’s a very good date or it’s a very bad date.) It’s either great to celebrate what is good about Australia whist the opposing viewpoint calls it Invasion, even Holocaust Day!
‘Either Or’ thinking rarely achieves mutually satisfactory outcomes.
Stephen Covey author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People urged us some time ago to ‘Think Win/Win.’ While not always possible to achieve Win/Win it is always possible to Think ‘Win/Win’ and to work towards that end. However, to achieve this a process is required.
The process we use in Organisational Development starts with an honest assessment of the current reality, and to confront the brutal facts and to consider what has led us to this point. During a proper SWOT Analysis both the Strengths and Weaknesses of the current situation are tabled, as well as the Opportunities and Threats which face us in the future. Properly facilitated this can lead to a greater understanding of all legitimate points of view.
The process then continues with a Shared Vision of what is the future we wish to create which will again incorporate a wide range of views as to what is possible.
The third step in the process revolves around discussions on values and ethos. The word Values is often tossed about without any real dialogue about what those values are and what they look like in practice.
Finally, consultation on a wide scale will ensure people from all parts of society feel empowered to have an important input into the process.
After implementing the exhaustive process, as outlined above, then we can have a conversation about what is the best date to celebrate Australia Day.
At least we will know what we are celebrating!
11/02/2021
Robert Re is a Leadership and Management Consultant with over 35 years’ experience both in Australia and Overseas.
He is the author of 2 books: LEADERSHIP AT WORK
and Co-Author of THE BUSINESS OF LIFE: Proven pathways to personal and organisational effectiveness