Member-only story
One of the biggest challenge facing leaders is carrying out their duties without pressure from, or partiality to, any person or other external influence. This is especially difficult in an information environment where distortions, rumours, untruths, misinformation, and smears prevail.
Any action, even those driven by principles, done with objectivity and transparency, can and will be weaponised to suit the agenda of naysayers. As intent is understood via perception - that is colored by the lens of past experience - people will see what they want to see. No amount of explanation will change that. Hence, my advice to leaders is to let history be the judge by:
(a) focusing on carrying out your duties to the best of your abilities by being principled and objective in your actions; and
(b) ignoring the noise. If you are consistent in carrying out your dutues without fear or favor, over time people will connect the dots and see you for who you are.
In the case of the Committee of Privileges, I find it pointless to discuss intent with anyone. I will therefore leave it to history to judge the intent behind the members' actions.
