When we encounter a leader who makes it known in the
organization he or she leads that his people need to take the fall so he [the
leader] will not have to be responsible for his own actions/mistakes, what we are
observing is a terrible leader. As a matter of fact, this is actually the opposite
of true leadership.
Not surprisingly this method of operating is
probably somewhat normal in the world of political leadership. I’m not taking
sides here. This tactic of having low-level staffers or other underlings take
the fall on behalf of the person at the high level occurs with both republican
and democrat politicians.
A number of these people—on both sides of the aisle—are
ego-driven, seekers of power who have very little interest in serving others.
Their primary motivation for seeking office is an almost pure form of selfishness.
They are not leaders, in the true sense of the word, they are professionally
postured and polished narcissists.
I know this is just one, sad, lonely post that will
make no difference in the big scheme of things but I felt like expressing this
thought, anyhow. The reality I describe above is a reminder that authentic
leadership is tremendously challenging.
P.S. By the way, I wrote this thought a couple of
years ago regarding something I had seen on a political TV show and chose not
to post it for a while. So, this is not specifically directed at any current
political person or event. Although I am sure it applies to plenty of current
political figures.
P.P.S. Some
of the people who read this might be thinking, “Oh yeah Dan, what you’re
describing about people in the world of politics happens in the realm of
religious leadership, too. So there, Buster!!!” My response to that is: Sadly,
you are correct. It does. But that still doesn’t make it right. It just reveals
to us that some of these people have no business being in leadership positions,
as well.
I repeat: Authentic leadership is tremendously
challenging.
“Pray…for kings and all who are in authority…” 1
Timothy 2:2
