Electing Iceland's 7th President: Democracy, Divisions, and the Wisdom of Jon Gnarr

Leadership

Jun 2

Wit & Wisdom with Rúna, the journal blog series

Welcome to "Wit & Wisdom with Rúna," my journal-blog series where humour meets profound insight on the rollercoaster ride of life, leadership, and self-discovery.

In this journal-blog series, my intention is to authentically peel back the layers of my life's crossroads and delve into the quirky realities of self-discovery and leadership.

Join me as we navigate the complexities of breaking free from societal boxes, embracing our authentic selves, and finding contentment in being in the flow, all while laughing at the absurdity and beauty of it all.

"Wit & Wisdom with Rúna" is my journal blog; it explores the journey to trust my flow to become better, bolder, and brighter.

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Electing Iceland's 7th President: Democracy, Divisions, and the Wisdom of Jon Gnarr

Celebrating Democracy and Reflecting on the Power of Meaningful Leadership in Turbulent Times

Yesterday, we embarked on our mission to elect Iceland's seventh president—a figure with limited power but a massive role in keeping our nation's spirit intact.

Lately, this spirit has been more divided than a debate over pineapple on pizza. We should feel deeply grateful for living in a country where democracy still thrives—it's not something to be taken for granted.

With 12 nominees, supporters have been out in full force, each trying to lure us into their box of believers. Watching these divisions unfold has been like watching a soap opera – minus the dramatic music.

We, Icelanders, are no different than the rest of humanity. We judge and put people into boxes like it's an Olympic sport. The past few weeks have seen people whispering their allegiances like they're confessing a crush. Social media platforms have been boiling.

The TV campaigns were an absolute treat. Nominees paraded their virtues in live events, telling us why they deserve our vote—democracy at its finest—or at least its loudest. They debated what we value as Icelanders and discussed our international role, wartime stances, energy resources, immigration, and the global upheavals that keep us all on our toes.

One Quote Cut Through The Noise.

But amidst the avalanche of words, one quote cut through the noise. It came from none other than Jon Gnarr, former Mayor of Reykjavik, who quipped, "The threat isn't people who don't speak our language. The threat is people who talk and talk but say nothing."

Gosh, talk about hitting the nail on the head! Or rather, hitting the head on the nail – you get the drift.

A Pearl of Wisdom.

This wisdom pearl lodged deep in my mind. In our perfect world, we must stay vigilant against the trap of endless chatter without substance. Just because someone's talking and is talking loudly makes it seem like 'EVERYBODY' is following them. It doesn't mean they have the wisdom, or we should allow them to influence us.

Often, it's just verbal hot air.

So, as we tip our hats to our new President, Halla Tomasdottir—CEO of The B-Team, co-founder of Audur Capital, and so much more, including a fellow leader of the National Assembly back in 2009—there's hope. Halla has already said she plans to listen more and talk less. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she and all our leaders will take Jon Gnarr's wise words to heart. Let's look forward to a future led by wisdom and action.

Leadership Is Not About Talking The Most of Being the Loudest!

For me, leadership is more than just who talks the most or loudest. It's about finding those rare gems that speak with substance and lead with wisdom. This applies to leading a nation, a business, or an organisation, as well as to leading our own lives.

Cheers to our new president!

Here's to Halla Tomasdottir—may she embody authenticity, prioritise action over chatter, and keep our Icelandic spirit as united as our love for Icelandic spring water. Cheers to that!

And remember, folks, the next time someone talks your ear off, smile and channel your inner Jon Gnarr... "The threat isn't people who don't speak your language. The threat is people who talk and talk but say nothing."

You can always choose to listen and follow or ignore and move on.

Reykjavík, Iceland, June 2nd 2024