Yesterday, David Cameron inadvertently revealed himself as a leader. Headline scribblers went mad overnight, commenting on his “arrogance, presumptuousness, reluctance etc”. The crime? Informally interviewed, peeling carrots ( or some other root vegetable) in his kitchen, he simply said, in response to the direct question: Would you go for a third term?

“No, I want to see through a full second term. I want to finish the job. The job is half done…I think at the end we will need fresh leadership, a fresh pair of eyes. We have plenty of young talent coming up through the ranks”.

Granted, he has not won his second term yet.

Whatever your political persuasion, as a lesson in leadership, Cameron’s remarks are salutary.

• Firstly, he is courageously authentic. It would have been easy to obfuscate. He did not.
• Second, he made himself vulnerable. He did not suggest he could, would or should go on and on like some heroic leader. He is very aware that most politicians nourish their narcissism and go mad in term three. See Tony Blair for details.
• Third, he committed to finish the job and execute the strategy he set out with. Task orientation is often sadly lacking in corporate leaders. He demonstrated commitment and tenacity.
• Fourth, he talked about succession. It is pretty difficult, from an egotistical point of view to imagine handing over the running of a country. To do what? Play golf, write a memoir? Whatever you do next, to paraphrase Jack Nicholson, this was probably as good as it will have got. Yet succession is a thorny subject for CEO’s and politicians alike. They generally outstay their welcome, and destroy value as a result. Tony Blair and Steve Ballmer are shining examples.
• Fifth, peak leadership is a drain on resources energy and health. Let’s not forget that Cameron Tragically lost a child a few years ago. All leaders need to look beyond their jobs ate what really matters. Usually, that lies at home.

Cameron’s foes will likely make much political capital out of this single throwaway line. Politics is a dirty business. Leadership however is not. Cameron said the right thing. Now it remains to be seen if he will do it.