Leadership from the Masses

After a year of watching leaders play games around maintaining or gaining control, or wagging their tails for their financial masters, it is clear the public around the globe has become more than irritated. The Arab Spring has shaken lose the tight control of dictators and created a new field of development for leaders. Even the most entrenched dominaters in Syria and Iran are feeling the pressure of a displeased and fed up populace. For those of us in the US we need not look just to the far places of the globe to see the meltdown that occurs when elected leaders lose their sense of responsibility to those who elect them and place in them hopes for a better future, and then find them competing for, and serving, only those who can place the most indulgences in their bank accounts. When this occurred in Catholicism in the 1600s, it began a landslide called the reformation. Today we are experiencing reformations in many nations, and building the tension for one in the US. In the emotion of these moments it may be appropriate to say, as prophets of old, "beware of false saviours". If a potential leader promises what seems to good to be true, regardless of how much you would like it to be true, expect to be disappointed.

For those hopeful leaders in redeveloping countries I counsel patience. It is a hard task to shift a culture from dictatorship to a representative form of governance, and people who have suffered long may be short of patience. For those frustrated by the stalemate of congressional leadership in the US, or perhaps also in Europe, I might add that leadership through polarization seldom achieves desirable ends. But, realistically, those who chose to stake their claim at the far ends of a proposition are unlikely to see a collaborative solution. Sometimes leaders can break such fence building stalemates by appealing to a high value. If a person is genuine on their desire to serve as a leader, then the norm of finding the greatest good for the greatest number must apply, regardless of the noise from the extreme positions.

Out of the mire of disappointment of leaders who lose their way, defraud their trusted customers, take advantage of employees in a tight labor market, misuse or abuse their assumed power, reformations do arise. In days past such leaders might be rounded up and hanged in the village square. Today we appeal to more civilized processes, though I am sure the feelings still exist in many quarters. Therefore, I make an appeal to all of us in positions of leadership. Take stock of your purpose, your values, listen to those you have chosen to serve, be open about what is possible at the moment and what is not, and then act with courage to achieve the best possible for as many constituents as possible.

It is a new year. Let's make it a proud year for authentic leadership.