You may be familiar with the story from 1840s Paris
This mode of leadership was best put by Conservative Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, “I must follow the people. Am I not their leader?”
In contrast, Mahatma Ghandi, the founder of the world’s largest democracy – modern India
To me, there is a world of difference in these two models of leadership. One model panders to populist sentiment and indulges hearsay, prejudice and fear. It offers an easy route to success but leaders who follow this path are trapped in a perpetual popularity contest. These leaders exhaust themselves trying to stay one step ahead of the crowd.
The other route is more difficult. It means putting the interests of the people ahead of temporary political advantage. It means setting out a plan in front of the people, even when times are challenging, and working through the issues with them. It means having the courage to set goals and to take the necessary steps to achieve them.
This is public service and it is at the heart of everything we, as voters and as political activists, have been able to achieve. As citizens, we are not be best served by a government without ambition, without a goal. Federally or provincially, a Government that sees the status quo as the best possible outcome will not deliver prosperity, build our economic infrastructure, or stimulate job growth.
Leadership is more than standing in front of cheering crowd of supporters to celebrate a victory. It is about governing. It is about leading a team. It is about serving the people.
This is the trap of government. Do politicians have the fortitude and guts of steel to act when appropriate and to do the right thing? These days I think not.
ReplyDeleteUnless there are legal issues, politicians are elected to run the province, country to do the best for as many as is reasonably possible.
I think of political leaders as "kind and judicious parents". Sometimes it just hurts.