Leaders are appointed for many reasons.
In some fields, such as sales, hitting targets and outperforming others is rewarded with a management position. Others end up in charge by virtue of a surname, such as Packer or Murdoch.
Sometimes, leadership is thrust upon an unwilling recipient, mostly due to the lack of a better option.
The most rare and valuable leader, however, is the person who not only performs under pressure, but also demonstrates their value in a time of crisis, tragedy or disaster.
An individual who can stand strong in the face of great personal grief following the tragic death of a teammate and best friend deserves our recognition and acknowledgement.
Michael Clarke is an oft-maligned figure in Australian sport. Too soft, too glamorous, arrogant and self-centred are but a few labels the Australian media and public have been willing to brand him with during his career. While his feats at the crease have been impressive, we knew little of him as a man.
Like many, I have been dismissive of a Clarke’s leadership capacity at times, despite his incredible performances with the bat in recent years, and the fact I know absolutely nothing of him as a person and how he is viewed in the Australian dressing room. It is easy to be influenced by public perception and tabloid reporting.
Watching Michael struggle to read a statement on behalf of the team through tears changed my perception of him forever. Adversity builds character, something Clarke already has in spades. Throughout the darkest week in Australian cricket history, almost every media report has mentioned the incredible support Clarke has provided to the Hughes family as they grieved the loss of a son and brother.
This is where we see the measure of the man. At a time when he was struggling to come to terms with the shocking loss of a best friend and teammate, Clarke was thinking of others. True leadership starts at this point.
While former players and fans continued to debate whether the first Test should go ahead as scheduled, and the media began an inevitable discussion about the quality of protective headwear and the merit of bouncers in cricket, my eyes were on Clarke.
Standing firm as captain and spokesman for the Australian side during this incredibly difficult time brought to mind past greats, such as Allan Border and Steve Waugh. A rock for teammates and the Hughes family, straddling the line between captain and friend, Michael has held firm, and reinforced his credentials as a true leader.
While his back may only allow him a few more years of Test action, Australian cricket will continue to benefit from the outstanding leadership and character of Michael Clarke. It is difficult to know how a grieving team will be able to overcome the tragic loss of their young friend and teammate, but Clarke will certainly play a vital role in leading the side through this harrowing time.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the Hughes family and the Australian cricket community. Rest in peace, Phillip.
Muppet
Guest
'Supporting' the family of a friend is one thing. But Clarke did more than that. He was there everyday, and was with them until the end. He then fronted the media on their behalf. A lot of people wouldn't do that.
Pillock
Guest
Good point about needing the cattle. Frankly captains in most sports, and especially cricket, are vastly overrated. I'd rather a team of great players tan a great captain and a team of duds.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Totally agree Chris.
Jane
Guest
Sorry, but Michael Clarke has not showed leadership over this terrible tragedy, he has shown mateship. I am sure anyone of us would support a family of a friend in need endlessly if we could get the time off work-many could not to this extent and many could get no time unless it was a family member. Many of us don't get to fly a helicopter to visit people either-we get in a car and drive or pay for a plane ticket. Clarke has done what any number of Australians would do if they could. He has been supportive and attentive- and that's nice. But it does not have anything to do with his qualities as Australian Captain.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Spot on. Spruce, I'm finding the lauding of Clarke as leader based on this slightly odd too. If he was as close to Hughes as it sounds, then he's doing what a best mate would do. I'm not even sure why he put himself through doing the media statement. He may have felt he owed it to the family I guess. And he is a cricketer who is always happy to front the media in almost any circumstances that may play into it, it may feel a natural response for him. Makes me extremely glad that I don't know anyone famous. I'd find the circus unbearable in these sort of circumstances.
Armchair Expert
Guest
Fair comment Daniel, I hope a certain couple of Roar journalists also take note about dragging politics into the Phil Hughes tragedy.
Chris Kettlewell
Roar Guru
Giving a Eulogy is purely to do with being the close friend not the captain, but actually a lot of his actions over the last week have had a lot to do with his role as captain. All of Australian cricket has been hurting, along with plenty of other players who were also very close to Phil Hughes. Clarke has taken the responsibility to really take leadership in this circumstance, to make sure all others in this situation are looked after, to be the one who fronts the media on their behalf so they don't have to, etc. A lot of what Clarke has been doing since the moment the ball stuck Phil Hughes and Clarke rushed to the hospital, has been as much, if not more, about leadership, as being a mate.
spruce moose
Guest
Hmm, I agree and disagree. i think we are misinterpreting which Michael Clarke these statements are coming from. People seem to think he is the voice of the cricket team because he is the captain. I don't believe that is the whole truth. Friend first, captain second (and that he is captain is largely coincidental). His ability to read a statement about his mate has nothing on leadership. I think he is acting the way anyone would act when a friend dies. That the cameras are on him are not particularly relevant to his leadership, but more the fact Phil Hughes was a very close and long time friend. When he (presumably) gives a eulogy on Wednesday, it won't be because he is the captain, it will be because he was his friend. Funerals aren't a place for politics/positioning. If Michael Clarke wanted to go on a bender, shatter windows and pee on a cricket pitch because it would help him grieve...then I would have no problem with that and wouldn't judge his leadership based on that.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment, Spruce. I do think the way Clarke has handled himself throughout recent events is further evidence of his leadership ability, as well as an ongoing maturation, as you rightly mentioned.
spruce moose
Guest
I think Clarke's career is a career of two Clarke's. His first incarnation was Clarke the celebrity, then his second incarnation (since his 100 in NZ post-Bingle) is Clarke the cricketer. No one liked Clarke the celebrity. And with good reason - he was a bit of a tool. All about the image. He was a hopeless celebrity to be honest. Especially when he had a complete inability to back up his ego on the field at the time. People like Clarke the cricketer. He's rather good at that job.
spruce moose
Guest
I do think we need to try and keep the Phil Hughes tragedy in perspective. This shouldn't be an examination on Clarke's leadership abilities, for good or bad. This at the end of the day is a man missing his best friend. Nothing else really should come into consideration.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I'll have to look that one up, Wal. It sounds a very interesting read with some good points. I do get sick of players non-stop chatter out on the ground, especially guys like Watto who carry on whether he's just hit a six or been hit for six while bowling. Gets tedious. Let the bat and ball do the talking.
Wal
Roar Guru
Martin Crowe wrote an interesting piece on Cricinfo about the need to tone down some of the antics on and before Cricket Matches. "Removing the lip, that negative intent, is what we can learn. By all means bowl bouncers with skill and precision, but take out the angst and hate, the sledging and the media barbs, and just go out and express your version of your courage and skill for your team. Show the youth of today the right way to play the game respectfully, hard and fair. The game has turned too lippy, too edgy. Let's chill a bit in general, as a good lesson and reminder, to keep the game authentic." Would be interesting to see but it won't happen.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Absolutely, Silver. It certainly gives on a new perspective on injuries, losses, and other challenges cricketers encounter during their careers. I am expecting it will spur many players on to perform at a higher level than they have previously, and perhaps jolt a few out of complacency.
Silver Sovereign
Roar Rookie
I agree with above. This whole tragedy might even make Clarke a better captain. It might harden him emotionally. The tough situations like sub continent series of recent times and ashes tours will pale in comparison to the terrible event of Hughes' death. So no matter the situation Australia might face on the cricket pitch, Clarke will know he has faced worse things. And I think that will filter through to the whole team. They have looked fragile in tough cricket situations recently. So hopefully a positive comes out of this terrible occurrence
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment, Wal. You make some interesting and valid points. We certainly cannot judge a person's character from media appearances or representation, as you rightly assert. That said, I do think Clarke has been very impressive in the way he has carried himself during this tragedy, and I certainly think that speaks to his leadership capacity overall.
Wal
Roar Guru
Often tragedy can be the making of not only the leader but also the human being. I have great admiration for how Michael Clarke has handled perhaps the hardest week in his life. His openness and leadership has been there for all to see. But any measure of a person is how they behave in day to day life, now I don't know Michael Clarke at all so will not judge his entire character either way However this is also the same man that uttered the words "Get ready for a %^en broken arm" If circumstances had been different and this tragedy had occurred immediately following those words, would we be judging Michael Clarke differently? Sometimes how we judge others is based purely on chance and circumstance.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
I totally agree, Barry. I think Clarke has shown great strength in a variety of ways during this incredibly difficult time, and deserves to be commended for the example he is setting.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I think some of the queries regarding Clarke's early days are valid and I'm sure there's some things that he'd do over if he had the opportunity. The flaunting of his million dollar bat deal, the ferrari, the publicly played out relationship with Bingle, the run in with Katich. However he has impressed since he's taken over the captaincy. He's proved a leader in words and also in deed. I don't think that being in charge in a time of tragedy necessarily makes one a great leader. However, his press conference was one of the most genuine and moving moments I've seen in a long time. His openness in discussing how hurt he's been since Hughes' passing has been very brave. Speaking like this in public and sharing this depth of emotion has not always been the strength of the Australian male. Clarke provides a good example to all of us, not just his teammates.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Thanks for the comment, Silver. Question: Do you rate Border as a captain purely based on win-loss ratio during his tenure? Just curious, as while performance of side is one measure of a captain, having the cattle to get the job done is another.