Let’s Talk Politics……
January 19, 2012The Republican Presidential Primary is in full swing. The past several months have had some very strange twists and turns including religious non-publicized tax returns and both moral and marital issues. Voters have seen it all! From those that have settled their support on Romney, Paul, Santorum, Perry, Gingrich or Huntsman, we hear much of the same thing, “We do not have a candidate that really knocks our socks off, a leader we are anxious to follow.” The next Presidential election is being tabbed as the “lesser of evils.”
Could it be that the element lacking is the principle of leadership? Are any of these people really great leaders? True authentic leadership is rooted in servanthood. Our government was founded by men and woman who really cared and had a tremendous desire to serve others. In those early foundational and constitutional days, they received very little for their service. It was as if their service was in its purest form. Servanthood is not about a position or skill. It’s about an attitude. Each of us have undoubtedly met people, elected people, and witnessed people in our government who have poor attitudes. Helping people is not at the top of their list. Sensing and detecting that their leader does not have a “servant” attitude becomes a major turn off.
It is crucial that elected officials be willing to “serve.” Servant leadership is never motivated by manipulation or self-promotion. In the end, the extent of your influence depends on the depth of your concern for others.
The truth…..the best leaders desire to serve others, not themselves!
