Crime in South Africa has been a hot topic for as long as we can remember. As South Africans, we are faced with violent crime on a daily basis and for most of us it has touched our family or friends and in many cases with traumatic consequences.
South Africa may have its work cut out for it as a nation particularly where getting crime under control is concerned, but we have measures in place to suggest that we are on the right track. Or do we?
Imagine what it must it be like to lead a police force when you think you have everything under control and your biggest worry is petty theft and jay walking? What happens when this reality is shattered by terrorist bomb blasts that hit your public transport system during the morning rush hour?
At 08h50, three bombs exploded within fifty seconds of each other on three London Underground trains. A fourth bomb exploded on a bus nearly an hour later at 09h47 in Tavistock Square. The bombings killed 52 commuters and the four suicide bombers, injured 700, and caused a severe day-long disruption of the city's transport and mobile telecommunications infrastructure countrywide and caused country-wide panic.
The bombings came while the United Kingdom (UK) hosted the first full day of the 31st G8 summit. A day after London was chosen to host the 2012 Summer Olympics. Two days after the beginning of the trial of fundamentalist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri. Five days after the Live 8 concert, and shortly after the UK had assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Let us find out first hand what leadership challenges were faced in the crisis of that magnitude and what the lessons learnt were when the safety of the nation is paramount. You will hear the heartfelt words of wisdom and inspiration from a leader who has been in the centre of such a crises? How he led his team in this situation and how his skills and leadership abilities were put to the test, completely off kilter to any normal day running of events?
Commander Simon Foy, who gained incredible leadership lessons when faced with the 7 July 2005 London bombings, will share with us his experiences in the midst of this tragedy and how he kept his leadership hat firmly in place.
He has 23 years experience in the Metropolitan Police, having joined as Constable in 1982. His experience has been throughout London serving in both uniform and detective branches. His experience includes the running of the Murder Investigation Teams in South London and leading the teams dealing with child abuse investigation in South West London. He was the Police Commander for the Borough of Lambeth for three years – a district which is regarded as the highest crime area in the United Kingdom.
The leadership lessons that he faced are uniquely different to what we face in South Africa where crime is concerned and we have no doubt that listening to him will have you on the edge of your seats and awe inspired at what he has achieved.
This is not your relaxing refreshments and snacks with colleagues and the folks you already know kind of event, rather this is Inspired Leadership at its serious best. This will not be for the faint hearted, so book early and get a front row seat now!
click here for profile of Simon Foy
DETAILS:
click here for directions to the Hyatt Regency, Johannesburg
Contact Lyndie for more information on lyndie@inspiredleaders.com
