Jean Chrétien

by Eduardo del Buey

Jean Chrétien

Over the past weekend, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien re-appeared in the media to voice his opinions on the current state of US-Canada relations. It was refreshing to see him in action again and concerned when comparing his savvy and skills versus today’s politicians.

He is 91 years old and still as sharp as a tack.

91 years old and still speaking from the heart, as was the title of his 1985 biography.

91 years old and still speaking common sense rather than words scripted by wordsmiths.

I first met Jean Chrétien in Tehran in 1977 when I served as a political officer at the Canadian Embassy. He and Mme. Chrétien visited Iran on an official visit in his capacity as Minister of Industry, Trade, and Commerce.

At the luncheon hosted by the Canadian Businessmen’s Club, M. Chrétien chose to forgo his written speech and speak “off the cuff.” The result was a brilliant exposé of the strong ties between Iran and Canada and his vision of a united Canada right after the election of a separatist Parti Québecois government.

He had the same common sense then as he does now.

I later met M. and Mme. Chrétien when they paid an official visit to Mexico, where I served as a Counsellor for Communications and Culture.

During that visit, he presented me with my 25^th-anniversary plaque.

He spoke at length with my wife Laura and me about the importance he placed on the Canadian diplomatic service and our commitment to representing the best of Canada at home and abroad.

I reminded him of our encounter in Teheran years earlier when Ambassador James George asked me to serenade him and Madame at the official dinner at the embassy (I was also a singer/songwriter in my youth).

We had a good laugh at how far we had both come.

And now, on his 91^st birthday, he published a brilliant opinion piece that appeared in major Canadian media on Canada's global importance and how to manage our vital relationship with the U.S. in light of the existential threats the incoming President has expressed.

He expressed his views on how our independence and sovereignty are beyond discussion and on the need to depend upon and exert our values, not wallow in fear, and act with strength, aplomb, and confidence in our values and abilities at this crucial time.

One might argue that others can script articles.

Indeed, often they do.

However, his two interviews on Canada’s major news networks in subsequent days underscored his ability to communicate “straight from the heart,” express his views in simple language, and use common sense rather than bromides or what he thinks people want to hear or will make him popular.

He answers questions directly and in-depth rather than deflecting, as most politicians do when dealing with the media.

He doesn’t deflect; he replies with conviction.

At 91, he is beyond seeking popularity and high office.

Unlike most leaders today, who depend on talking points rather than on expressing their true feelings in their own words, M. Chrétien speaks his mind and always speaks truth to power.

This technique worked when he kept Canada out of President George W. Bush’s disastrous intervention in Iraq and when he dealt with the 1995 independence referendum in Quebec.

Today’s leaders would be wise to emulate this technique.

Connect with people using simple language and honest ideas.

Don’t follow what is popular; lead with what makes sense.

Use language that makes people share your feelings rather than the sterile bromides that pass for political discourse today.

Do not deflect from answering difficult questions; answer using common sense rather than talking points prepared by others.

In short, speak from the heart and offer leadership with vision and conviction rather than from a playbook.

It is a winning formula.