New Year, New Opportunities for Leadership
Happy 2008 to all readers. With all the media coverage, polls and pundits, it’s hard to miss that the new year is off to a fast start with the first wave of presidential caucuses and primaries. We’ll have 10 more months to hear about presidential candidates and the experience, views and agendas each person would bring to the job. While late night talk show visits, clips on You Tube and celebrity endorsements may have their place, how do we know how each candidate would fare as a “leader”? What qualifications and traits would help our new president rise above campaign funders, congressional leaders, political party bosses and other interests to truly lead our country? Must a good leader have run a small state, a large city, a company or helped run the country with a staff of 20? What of traits like inclusive decision-making, business acumen and not being afraid to take an unpopular stance? And, what of skills like careful listening, diplomacy and compromise? Should we also consider the “kitchen cabinets” of presidential candidates – those likely to be named to key White House positions? How can we get a more complete picture of the candidates beyond 30 second ads, headline news and staged debates?
As you read news clips and view footage from other parts of the world, it is apparent that the United States is not alone in its quest for leadership. Witness the killing of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan and post-election rioting in Kenya. Those with the power and votes are not always the true leaders.
And, what about the continuing war and rebuilding efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan? Will it be possible for indigenous leaders to emerge who can gain the trust of differing tribes and factions?
Even in the newness of the year, events are unfolding that will influence in-country rulers and worldwide relations. To what we were often told as children – “winning isn’t everything,” I’ll now add that “leadership is”. Let us hope that 2008 brings wise leadership committed to meeting local needs and promoting world-wide harmony.
Diane
