General Manager of the Jamaica Central Securities Depository Limited (JCSD), Ms. Andrea Kelly, was ecstatic as she welcomed the audience both in person and virtual to the Bell Ringing ceremony to launch Dr. Marlene Street Forrest’s book, “On Leadership Discipline Discretion and Daring.” Ms. Kelly noted that while preparing her welcome, the most familiar words that she came across to describe leadership were ‘abilities’ and ‘qualities’. She stated that “anyone who knows Dr. Forrest, knows that that is 100% of what she represents. In truth, to have the discipline, discretion and daring skills of a leader with humility, describes Dr. Street Forrest’s persona.” Ms. Kelly noted that page 17 of the book shows practically, how leadership, not built on hype, but by daring actions, discretion, and discipline, can achieve immense benefits for a company.
Mr. Greg Fisher, Managing Director, Head of Emerging Markets, Fixed Income & Wealth Management; Jefferies, in his unique way stated that from day one her vision to grow the capital market in Jamaica to a global market was a daring one, but with her strategic thinking and humility over twenty years later, he was pleased to play a part in seeing the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE), becoming a jewel in the region and globally under her stewardship.
Managing Director of the Barbados Stock Exchange, Mr. Marlon Yarde, stated he was proud to call Dr. Street Forrest a loyal friend for more than eighteen years. In congratulating her, he stated that material in the book reflects the true nature of the author; willingness to share ideas and her ability to use her authority with discretion.
Mr. Cecil Foster, Managing Director, FosRich Limited, in his congratulatory remarks referred to Dr. Street Forrest as ‘the giant’ and he used two words to describe her, ‘disciplined and focused.’ This book, he said, will guide leaders at all levels to be focused and disciplined.
Ms. Eva Mitchell, Managing Director, Trinidad and Tobago Stock Exchange, was delighted to share in this special occasion, especially as a female leader of a regional Stock Exchange herself. Ms. Mitchell noted that as female leadership in a male dominated industry they must work harder and smarter and the material in this book provides an inspiration for all leaders, but more so, for female leaders. She ended her remarks with a quote from the book, “where there is a challenge, there is a way.”
Professor Neville Ying, JSE Best Practices’ Chairman and fellow author, congratulated and welcomed Dr. Street Forrest to the esteemed group of authors who have written on leadership. Professor Ying noted that contents of the book illustrated the qualities of a transformational leader, as empirical data gleaned from presentations in a research assignment by his students at the university, Dr. Street Forrest was one such person mentioned.
Communications Consultant, Dr. Isaac Newton, who shared his remarks virtually, stated he was not surprised that this visionary leader, finally put pen to paper and the result is excellent. He congratulated Dr. Street Forrest on a well-documented work and knows that it will be well received by all readers.
Human Resource Manager at the JSE, Mrs. Doreen Parson Smith, representing the JSE Group, expressed on behalf the JSE team, sincere congratulations to Dr. Street Forrest on her accomplishment. Mrs. Parson Smith in her own poetic way noted that the title “On Leadership Discipline Discretion and Daring” epitomizes not only Dr. Street Forrest but the team she leads to transform the Exchange to a globally recognized august institution that is respected in all sectors.
Dr Street Forrest welcomed the audience present, to join her in ringing the bell, which signalled the opening of the market for trading and shortly after she gave her reply. “The compilation of this book, ‘On Leadership, Discipline Discretion and Daring’, was intended simply to read and allow readers to appreciate that our journey starts from a thought, which when acted on, and when you encourage others to dream with you, can result in transformation of self, company, country and others” were her opening remarks. She went on to speak on each heading of the title, Discipline Discretion and Daring and highlighted how these thoughts, ideas and visions were transformed to reality. An emotional Dr Street Forrest ended her reply with reference to the readers, “I hope to the reader, it will convey and give meaning to a favourite quote which as children we were mandated to repeat and which has found its way into my heart and this book, thanks to my mother and it goes like this:
“What we call luck is simply pluck
And doing things over and over
Courage and will,
Perseverance and Skill
Are the three leaves of Luck’s Clover.”
The keynote speaker, Dr. Winston Adams, Group Executive Chairman, UCC Group, stated that the impact of a leader is the measure that they inspire those around them by creating an atmosphere that allows them to explore and grow. These are the qualities that the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), saw in her when they conferred the Honorary Doctoral Degree in Public Policy.
