LEADING WITHOUT LEADERSHIP

During lunch at a recent Leadership forum I was asked by one of the participants at the table, “How come many politicians and political leaders seem not to bother or practice all this Leadership stuff – don’t they understand what Leadership is all about, or are they supposed to practice a different kind of Leadership grounded in very different leadership values?”

It was really more of an assertion than a question, heavy with sarcasm and sounded like it was vengefully prompted by pent-up frustration or disillusionment – but it was an excellent question. And the fact that it was not brought up earlier in the morning during the actual leadership session was also interesting. So, I said exactly that – that it was an excellent and interesting question! And that seemed to be enough to make everyone at the table shed any and whatever hesitation and eagerly jumped into the discussion, or more accurately an outpouring of one-way critique.

How I wished all those politicians and political leaders were flies (well…maybe something else since this was over lunch, remember…) on the wall listening to all those concerted and concerned views. Of necessity in trying to keep the discussion meaningful, I found myself drawn into a role I have not been able to sincerely play of late – defending and speaking up for the politicians and political leaders. It was a difficult challenge made impossible by the odd (seven to one) and their overwhelming conviction. At best I might have persuaded them to be more objective in their views and perhaps less bias in their stereotyping - but the basic observations, although mostly quite familiar and oft-repeated, had much truth and were indisputably valid.

In total, emphatically registered by each and every one of them, was the perception of blind arrogance, continuing blissful smugness, and sheer ineffectiveness of the leadership at virtually every level (I have “expunged” their assertion of “rampant corruption” since that calls for a different kind and level of proof and forum). The vehemence, conviction, and the consistency of their common views were most telling, as telling as the logic and coherence of their overall arguments, examples, and conclusions.

Views of a small sample they might be but this same overall perception had become very commonplace of late, with the anger and passion behind the words seemingly driven by a mounting degree of desperation and rage born of genuine and deep-seated concern for the continuing well-being of the country. This spreading concern is ominous. There was not the slightest doubt in their hearts and minds that the country is heading for some difficult time given its current less-then-reassuring overall stewardship performance. And they might indeed prove right!

This is perhaps a reality most of us are understandably reluctant to accept because it can only complicate our domestic political equation and upset the overall scenario. Yet it is a reality that is better accepted sooner rather than later – so that the sooner we can begin some serious examination of this predicament and perhaps decide for ourselves how to avoid its debilitating prospect!

Perhaps it is time for us, the majority “up-to-now blissfully unconcerned passengers” to be concerned. Perhaps it is time for us to do some really serious soul-searching and honestly examine what we can and should do, within the bounds of our established system, to help correct the situation!