A VALUABLE lesson in leadership has been learnt through last week’s rescue of the 33 trapped Chilean miners.

President Sebastian Pinera’s statesmanship stands in marked contrast to that of President Asif Ali Zardari, of Pakistan, following his country’s widespread summer flooding.

President Pinera embraced the consequences of the disaster, appeared to have his finger on the pulse, referred to the brave people above and below ground and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with his people during the rescue operation.

By contrast, while more than 20.5 million people either lost their lives, homes and/or livelihoods in northern Pakistan’s worst floods in decades, President Zardari was criticised for making his UK trip.

Being abroad at such a time was a political, public relations and humanitarian disaster.

Which of these two would people in crises feel connected to, and which would they go that extra mile for? If one examined the incredible power of how people pull together and support each other when they experience a feeling of connectedness to other people, or a common cause, there can be no greater example than what happened at the San Jose mine and at Camp Hope.

There is a lesson here for leaders, particularly in UK business, in these difficult economic times; people need to feel connected and informed, not ignored.

John Edington, Harrogate.

I AM sure that everyone has welcomed the news that all 33 Chilean miners have been rescued from the deep. It has been possible because the advances of technology have made such a rescue a practical possibility. Once the position of the miners was located there were efforts to reach them and it was possible to drill down to them and establish contact.

It is no surprise that there will be a film about it. It is a good sign of the times that they were not left entombed. It contrasts with the play, Close the Coalhouse Door, about Durham miners who were left down to face death. The play was a success here, but it was a flop in London’s West End.

There is a great future for mining because of the demands on the world markets for minerals. Hopefully, there will be a greater effort to ensure the safety of men who make their livings in the mines.

Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

I DO not think I am alone in feeling so pleased that the miners in Chile were rescued.

No one can comprehend how they managed to survive and eventually reappear with smiles on their faces. Most people would have “lost it” down in that mine.

It is only right that these brave men receive a big financial reward, but I also hope that their rescuers also get the thanks they truly deserve too, as it was a victory for Chile and a victory for humanity.

Christopher Wardell, Darlington.

HOW nice to watch the rescue of the miners in Chile on TV.

Everybody seemed to pull together, the teamwork being second to none. What shone out most for me was the President, Sebastian Pinera. What a caring man he seems to be and what a lot of encouragement he gave to the people of Chile.

Mike Turner, Thirsk, North Yorkshire.