For me, the moment in Mike Baird's leadership that stood out was when, as a young Christian leader, he did something Tony Abbott would never dream of doing – he praised young Muslim leaders and acknowledged the sacredness of Ramadan.
NSW is a vibrant democracy and the hallmark of such a system is that there are divergent views and that each side of the debate treats the other's opinion with respect.
Mike Baird reminds me of my grandad Ted Noffs who, despite being a proud Christian, not only accepted the views and beliefs of others – he embraced them.
When it came to issues like dealing with the state's ice problem or drug law reform, the Baird government and I regularly disagreed – sometimes, very strongly disagreed.
Outgoing NSW Premier Mike Baird "had a vision and acted on it". Credit:Jason McCawley
However, the thing I always admired about the Baird government was that they – he – actively listened.
He admitted to mistakes – also a rare trait in politics – but most importantly, he had a vision and acted on it.
At the beginning of Tony Abbott's term I wrote a piece for Fairfax Media about Abbott's lack of social vision.
We all waited for that vision – it never arrived.
Premier Mike Baird struggled to contain his emotions at a press conference announcing his resignation.Credit:Janie Barrett
Having a social vision is important because a country without a vision for the health of the nation isn't just a nation without a heart, it's a country that is reactive and short sighted.
In other words, it leaves us unprepared for all sorts of health issues we will face in the future – the ice problem is just one of them that continues to haunt us.
As much as any democracy needs leaders who will listen, it needs outspoken leaders who stand up and tell it as they see it. It needs people like Mike Baird who will stand up and praise young Muslims in a time when parts of the media find it popular to demonise them.
To its credit, the Baird government, understood that in a pluralist society, you don't just arbitrarily dismiss the diverse arguments that don't marry to your world view. If you want to stay in power, you respectfully consider the disparate views and then you act in the best interests of the people.
Baird, unlike many of his counterparts, had an innate ability to appreciate that he wouldn't always agree with his constituents and that they would not always agree with his decisions.
But he always sought to find a compromise if his judgment failed him.
In many ways, that's the most a community seeking change can ask for. We will not always support 100 per cent of our leader's choices but Australia requires leaders who have a vision, who actively listen.
When people ask "why it is that when so many leaders have been so unpopular recently, Baird seems to be increasingly popular?" It is those three reasons: he had a vision, he actively listened, he admitted when he was wrong, and he acted accordingly.
Because when it comes to keeping NSW ahead of the curve – whether it's crime dropping, health and wealth rising – we need informed people willing to offer ideas and leaders who will listen and act.
From medicinal cannabis to social housing and reducing deficits, Mike Baird had a vision and he changed the game for good.
Matt Noffs is the CEO of the Noffs Foundation.