By Dalton Henderson
From our first breath, we all must answer to someone. Whether its family, supervisors, or elected officials, our lives are spent heavily impacted by those who lead us – and some are better than others. A recent US News poll shows that Americans are disappointed in their leadership in nearly every industry. From business to public service to health care, most Americans seem to believe the people in charge prioritize their own interests over any other.
This sentiment is not without cause, and it stems from a deficiency in the way leaders are selected. A growing trend can be observed: Institutions mistakenly support the rise of employees and officials who “toe the party line” for their own advancement rather than those who are rooted in principles and service. The former are hailed by senior leaders as being “team players” to mask the truth – that continuance of the status quo is preferable to true leadership.
Leadership Defined
But what characterizes true leadership? People. It’s how you take care of, advocate for, and enable the people you serve. A sincere prioritization of the members on your team is a prerequisite to any accomplishment of tasks and goals. This means being the legislator who will gladly be a squeaky wheel to get the district the tax cut or bill passed that it needs. This means being the manager who takes interest in employees on a personal level and accommodates requests, when possible, to ensure their families are supported. And this means being the official who’s willing to have a hard conversation with supervisors or party leaders when the operation is moving in the wrong direction. It must be clear to the team or constituency that their wellbeing is a top concern before they trust you to lead. This type of leader is increasingly hard to find, and public trust is eroding as a result.
The US News poll reported that 82% of respondents believe business leaders don’t share the values of everyday Americans, and 72% overall are disappointed with the sector’s leadership. Broad disappointment also extended to healthcare and education at 73% and 68%, respectively. The worst industry, however, was public service with 80% disappointment and 85% of Americans believing government officials prioritized their own power over the public’s interest.
The leaders who’ve caused this widespread mistrust have lacked one essential character trait: courage. Especially in large organizations, layers upon layers of middle management can create “company men” who are unwilling to rock the boat – even when necessary for their team. This is due to fear of potential retribution and a desire for their own advancement. It takes a courageous leader to “fight up” the chain of command to do the right thing on behalf of their followers.
And that’s exactly what we’re missing. Americans feel the weight of business leaders who don’t align with everyday values, elected officials who don’t represent the public, and a lack of senior figures worthy of emulation in any industry. It will require selecting leaders with the bravery to truly care for their people to repair these notions.
Our country is experiencing a leadership bankruptcy, and the consequences can be felt in politics, at work, and at home. Don’t be a “company man” at the expense of your team. Lead and represent your people with honor, placing their needs above your own advancement. We must better discern those who are for true leadership from those who merely maintain the status quo for personal gain.
The difference between the two?
Courage.
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Dalton Henderson is an Army Ranger on active duty writing in a personal capacity. The views represented here are his own and not the Army or any other organization.
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