Blair Glencorse: Turning Ethical Leaders into Celebrities in a Global Fight for Good Governance

Feb 26

Kristine Michie - Playfull podcast interview - Blair Glencorse

Blair Glencorse: Turning Ethical Leaders into Celebrities in a Global Fight for Good Governance

Join host Kristine Michie as she welcomes Blair Glencorse, co-founder of Accountability Lab, to discuss how play, storytelling, and unexpected partnerships can drive social change. From red-carpet celebrations for ethical leaders to using music and sports to fight corruption, Blair shares how moving from shame to fame might be the magic we need to create the just world we envision. Through his Integrity Icon Awards, which “names and fames” honest government officials, to collaborations with musicians, comics, artists, and sports stars, Blair is creating a playful movement for integrity worldwide. Whether you’re a changemaker, policymaker, or just someone who believes in the power of good, this conversation will leave you energized and ready to reimagine activism in a whole new way.

Key Takeaways:

Recognizing and celebrating ethical leaders can create a cultural shift towards honesty in governance.
Focusing on uplifting individuals who do the right thing generates positive momentum and inspires others.
Music, film, sports, and storytelling are effective tools for social change, engaging people in governance and accountability.
Young people respond better to hope and role models than fear-based narratives about corruption.
Bringing together government insiders and creative outsiders (like musicians and artists) can drive systemic change.
The best solutions to governance issues often come from the people most affected, not external experts.
Leadership models that distribute power across multiple leaders foster inclusivity and effectiveness.

"Often, it's the usual suspects in rooms talking about things to each other, and that isn't changing anything because it's not bringing in others who have different perspectives and who can create change." — Blair Glencorse

"The kinds of values that we should appreciate in society, and the kinds of things that we should be made famous for, are our values, our beliefs, and the ways that we serve others." — Blair Glencorse

"It's all about what we call naming and faming rather than naming and shaming... catching people doing the right thing rather than the wrong thing." — Blair Glencorse

More about Blair Glencorse:

Blair Glencorse is Founder and Co-CEO of Accountability Lab- and is considered one of the world’s most influential thinkers on issues of governance and citizen engagement. He is a seasoned international development professional and social innovator, with significant experience across issues of accountability, institutional reform, and political-economy transitions. Blair has worked around the world with governments, the private sector, philanthropists, the media, and civil society to improve lives. In everything he does, Blair seeks to support communities and connect people- to develop ideas, overcome challenges, and build positive change.

Connect with Blair:
Website: http://www.accountabilitylab.org/ & http://www.integrityicon.org/

Email: blair@accountabilitylab.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountlab

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/accountlab & https://www.linkedin.com/in/blairglencorse

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accountabilitylab

Connect with Kristine:

Website: https://www.impactfullinc.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/impactfull_inc

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristine-breese-michie/