Leadership, the ultimate risk business

He wasn't thinking about Rother District Council at the time, of course, but his words certainly apply as a changing of the guard takes place at Town Hall.

The immediate past leader, Graham Gubby, knew them to be true. Whether he achieved those results is for the individual to decide, but he was well aware that difficult decisions can lead to criticism - sometimes warranted, sometimes not.

The cabinet and leader style of decision making adopted by Rother inevitably puts the focus on one man or woman.

It follows, then, they will bear the brunt of public opinion.

The Observer has lost count of letters received referring to 'Gubby's balls' in Devonshire Square or the move to close public toilets.

Yet, despite the flak, Mr Gubby continued to lead from the front.

Now step forward Cllr Carl Maynard, the latest member to put his head on the chopping block as leader of Rother.

And the difficult decisions will just keep coming.

The young leader may get a brief 'honeymoon period' but it won't be long until the first controversial issue rears its head.

Cllr Maynard has already said he will do his best to maintain Rother's services but they are "set against a backdrop of affordability".

With a low level of government grant and an increasing number of responsibilities foisted on to Rother, it seems likely that unpopular decisions will have to be made.

And Cllr Maynard will be aware such decisions can create an unpopular figurehead.

In those times he would do well to remember the words of Peter Drucker.

All Bexhill and Rother residents ask for is an effective leader.

If he proves to be effective and popular he will have done an exceptional job.