Public sector managers could learn from Gatland

The recent tour by the British and Irish Lions produced some very exciting rugby and plenty of criticism over the shock exclusion of Brian O’Driscoll.

Coach Warren Gatland had the unenvious task of picking a team from Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. Picking a team from the players from one country is easy as a coach knows the players and their suitability for each position. Picking suitable players to blend from four different countries requires a lot more scrutiny, knowledge and courage. This should be the vital requirement of any manager whether he or she is in business or sport. Warren Gatland’s display of not shirking his responsibility should be an example to the hordes of people being paid managerial salaries who have neither the ability nor the courage to do their duty. It seems they are just honorary managers. Both the public sector and semi-State companies fall into this category and require attention from some of our honorary ministers. Our taxpayers cannot afford such largesse. It has bled the coffers dry for too long.

Richard Prendergast