Taking the Lead



CoVID-19 Day 26

You don’t need to want to be a leader but you do need to want to lead when you are one. Someone has pointed out that so many politicians are sociopaths, you can only conclude that there is something natural about politicians having sociopathic tendencies. Its that naked thirst for power that would concern a balanced person and ring alarm bells. But in the world of politics the bells are muted by pragmatism and process.

There are many politicians who are driven by service while others are careerist but don’t have an agenda that’s focused on rising to great heights. Many genuinely want to use their position of privilege and influence to help those they represent while others want to steer politics from inside the machine (technocrats). Some set out to lead while others find themselves thrust into the position. But you can’t lead unless you are motivated by being one.

It comes down to the difference between leadership and control

You don’t need to be power hungry, just comfortable in the role and driven by having people follow you. What is strange is that there are those who want to be in a position of power but don’t relish taking the lead. They want the accolades that come from being the figurehead but not the responsibilities that leadership brings. Such a person is likely to be a bully, given to mood swings and with a fragile ego. True leadership finds satisfaction in achievement rather than plaudits, expressions of appreciation rather than favours and apprentices rather than copyists.

It comes down to the difference between leadership and control. The Dickens character, Uriah Heap, illustrates this. His whole MO (modus operandi) is to be in control, whether that be manipulating his employer from below or plotting a takeover. His end game isn’t to lead the company but to control it and use it as an instrument to enrich himself. Even where there is no financial gain to be had some seek to take control to make them look important and win friends or admirers.

In these unprecendented times there seems to be an absence of leaders. There are many who present themselves as such but the evidence would suggest they have done little more than act out the role. It appears we might have only done slightly worse had they come through The X-Factor or Love Island. Its impossible to pin the blame but with a brush stroke we might be able to cover the usual suspects like the press and corruption in the echelons of power. There are certainly individuals and groups who benefit from chaos.

Things are bad enough as they are but if we are to come out of this with anything remotely constructive that doesn’t line the pockets of the rich and screw everyone else, some kind of true leadership needs to emerge from somewhere.

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