The future of any community depends on the vision and initiative of its leaders, whether they be dedicated grass-roots volunteers, activists or elected and selected individuals. But when we go on a quest for leadership – what is it we’re looking for?
That’s the question CBC radio’s Steve Sutherland asked, when he sought out and interviewed nearly two dozen individuals whose leadership roles have made – and are making – a difference. Originally broadcast on CBC Radio’s Information Morning, the leadership series is now a book. The official launch of Getting it Done: Conversations with Cape Breton Leaders (CBU PRESS) will take place tonight, Tuesday, September 14 at 6pm in the Cape Breton University Art Gallery. The event is open to the public and refreshments will be served.
“These are people who know how to get things done,” says Sutherland. The interviewees provide a varied cast of characters with leadership roles and philosophies that are equally diverse. Sutherland’s interview series began on September 8, 2009 with local CEO Irving Schartz, and included throughout the series singer-songwriter Rita MacNeil, former Premier Rodney MacDonald, labour leader and agitator Victor Tomiczek, Mi’kmaq community leader Murdena Marshall, and many other influential local figures.
The afterword in the book outlines the key set of lessons learned from each of the interviewees. Without any specific formulas or answers, Sutherland identifies key traits from each of the leaders’ personal and professional lives.
Following the launch will be a panel discussion and forum titled Cape Breton 2030, moderated by Sutherland and scheduled for 7pm.
Sutherland’s daily public affairs morning show airs Monday to Friday, 6 am to 8:40 am on CBC Radio One in Cape Breton. Each of the 22 interviews is available for listening online (http://www.cbc.ca/informationmorningcb/2009/09/leadership-series.html), though the book contains exclusive material that was edited out of the broadcast version of the interviews.
