Losing Their Way
Feb
24
2010
I was thinking about why politicians and leaders who start out in the public square and seem to possess the character defined by one set of stated values, over time, make decisions that appear to be at odds with those values. They go into politics with a set of goal and ideals and over time succumb to forces that prevent them from following through. Many who find themselves leading in corporate, organizational or political leadership come to this personal crisis. The systems that they must operate within tend to introduce forces which work against their values.
I think some of these forces are:
1. A drive to win – This might keep someone from seeing the merits in another person’s point of view. A discussion is no longer about what is right but ‘who’ is right.
2. The need to please people – This common problem can prevent a leader from being bold and following through on their own ideals. This is also evident when others have power or influence over the leader.
3. One’s Self-Interest – This is the temptation to make decisions that effect other people for one’s own benefit whether personal, political or financial. Sometimes leaders get into a place of having to return favors, or do things for the benefit of a particular person or group to preserve their own interests.
4. Nepotism : A big issue today defined as favoritism, based on kinship
5. And the worst one; being afraid of the Government , or those in power. Thomas Jefferson said, “When people fear their Government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.” (How many people are remaining silent about local issues because they fear the consequences?)
Most of our values are not really that much different from one another. The majorities of us truly love our families, care about our neighbors, and want to make a positive impact in this life. We probably agree in principal about more issues than we actually realize. The problem is that we are all influenced differently, and those influences can effect the way we carry out our ideals. Character, is the ability to carry out one’s ideals and values, despite the powers of influence that surround us. It’s the ability to implement your values without losing your way.
