Group leaders urged to uphold core values

 By ABIGAIL PHOEBE

A GROUP of leaders in East New Britain and the New Guinea Islands region have been urged to uphold good values which will drive the province and the region forward.

US ambassador to PNG Walter North told a leadership and mentoring training in Kokopo last Wednesday that upholding values as leaders in any sector was vital in driving development.

“I believe that our strengths come from our values. In the absence of values, there can be no good leadership,” he said.

North told more than 30 participants during the training that it was crucial for leaders to do away with the imposture syndrome – a syndrome which had eaten away the roots of leadership in this country.

“Imposture syndrome is when we pretend to be someone we are not. In leadership, often people who are entrusted with the roles of responsibility sometimes feel like impostures,” he said.

North said PNG leaders had the strength of character that they could build on by believing in their values and performing according to them.

“Be humbled, but be willing to take risks. It is not a win or victory when only one person finishes the race,” he said.

Commanding officer of the Pacific Partnership 2015 Captain Christopher Engdahl, while sharing his experience in the US Navy, said it was crucial for leaders to always question their own decisions.

“Leaders always question their own decisions and they expect the best from everyone who works for them or under their supervision,” he said.

Local NGO representative Apisai Jubilee said the training was enriching to most of them, especially living in a society that was separated by cultural barriers.