The multifaceted leadership of R. J. Chambers: a personal reflection

I was working in a fairly insignificant accounting department of a (then) small university when I was charged with the responsibility of accompanying Ray Chambers and his wife Margaret to dinner. He had accepted an invitation to the University from its Accounting Student Society and for us it was an important occasion to have such a distinguished visitor. During our conversation that evening Ray suggested I come to Sydney University as he thought I would find it (intellectually) stimulating. I took upu his suggestion and did not live to regret it. Working with Chambers was indeed an intellectually stimulating expewrience and I learned a lot from him most especially the need to aspire to intellectual rigour in my work. In this, Chambers certainly led by example and while many people did not accept the conclusions in the theory he developed, I believe it is generally agreed by all that he demponstrated the highest standards of scholarship in developing and promoting his ideas. Yet, to me, this was only one aspect - albeit a very important one - of the leadership skills he possessed and practised.