Why is there a dearth of real leaders in politics these days? Is it a product of the media and the sound-bite mentality, or that the ones seeking office are wrapped up in some sort of ego-fest? True leadership in politics, is that possibly an oxymoron? What do you think?
Gary
Leaders In Training
First MSSL Class
9 comments:
Gary
I'm sorry but your blog is so short that I don't know what you're asking, so I'm unable to respond. Sorry.
Mariann
To Mariann,
I'm sorry that you think my blog is so short that you don't know what I'm asking. What I'm asking is, do you think we have a shortage of real leaders in politics these days? If so, why do you think that is the situation? If you do think there are some real leaders in politics, then please give us some examples. Thanks - Gary
I think that part of the problem with our political system today is that the party system does not allow for truly individual thought. Each party is more concerned about keeping political control than representing the constituents who put them in office. They also seem to forget that they represent ALL the constituents within their district, and not just the ones who happened to vote for them.
As we have discovered through this first course, a true leader will consider all points of view and determine which is the best for the organization, or in this case, district, state, country. They will not concern themselves with personal gain, but rather do the right thing, regardless of party affiliation.
While I do see some who occasionally cross over political lines (Lieberman, McCain), most are more concerned about keeping within party lines.
As I have said in the past, Colin Powell would make a good President. I believe he would be truly concerned about the country more than himself, and if he will be re-elected next term.
John
My guess? It's all about the money. The pay is pitiful, the stress is outrageous, the job is 24-7. Add to that how much it costs to run! You have to be a gagillionaire just to start a campaign, and who knows how much it takes to win. I think the media runs with what they have to work with and only an egotistical megalomaniac would even consider the job.
Jan
I agree with Jan. There is a significant shortage of good leaders. It takes time and a lot of money to run a campaign and if you're luckty enough to be voted in to the job, be prepared to take a pay cut from you current salary.
Someone once said that the President of the United States has a base salary of 200K. A hospital president makes more than that.
Does that seem fair? So who's left? Wealthy people who do Viagra ads.
Mariann
Personally, I believe that each person who runs for political office has multiple agendas. One of those agendas is to do a good job and keep the campaign promises. In our system of "closed door meetings" and "back alley agreements" our leaders are Unable to fulfill some of those promises. I fully believe Bush meant there would be no new taxes. Unfortunately there are bigger powers at work than him. I'm not excusing behavior; I'm simply trying to look at it from all sides.
- Margaret
I do think there are leaders out there, but they aren't going to be the ones hitting the headlines. Typically, what we see are those aspiring to grow their resumes & careers versus those who are working to make good things happen.
Most of what we see and hear about relative to politics has more to do with grabbing headlines versus reporting on what is being done in support of "good" things. The media spend much of their time seeking and covering the tabloid type "events" as the real work simply isn't sexy enough for news.
There are leaders out there listening to their constituents, and enabling those that work for them to get their jobs done all in support of the people they represent.
So long story short....I do think they are out there, you just aren't going to hear about them until they do something so amazing it makes headline news.
Melissa
I think there are good leaders still involved with politics. To an extent we get to focus only on the President, or Congressional battles, because this is what we are bombarded with on the news. I think the news focuses on the most serious stories, or the story that is most controversial so we don’t get to see political leadership at its best. The other thing that goes against leadership in politics is the fact that the positions existing are pseudotransformational. To an extent a political figure has to be self-consumed, exploitive, and power-oriented to fight for their cause. It is the nature of the beast.
A couple of examples of true leaders in politics can be Hillary Rodham Clinton, if I may shamelessly plug my research paper topic. Like her or not she has been involved with the Children’s Defense Fund, has worked to rewrite policy so children with ailments could attend school, has broken ground by becoming a two term Senator of New York, and is now trying to get nominated by her party to try to get elected as President. Another example could be Elizabeth Dole who was president of the Red Cross, was involved with public safety since the Nixon years, and was President Reagan’s secretary of Transportation. You can’t accomplish these things without having leadership skills. So political leaders are out there, we just have to go beyond prime time news to find them.
Chris
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