The Character of Our Leaders

Leaders model the way and set an example for others to follow. The values and character of the leader have a profound impact on the culture of their organization. I have observed this phenomenon on a small scale within startups and have seen its effect at a societal level.

At some point in the future of the United States, we will have the opportunity to select new leaders. That may be in three years, or thirty, or longer. The history of authoritarian regimes is mixed. West Germany was liberated from the Nazis in twelve years (thanks to the US), while it took closer to sixty years to free those in East Germany. My kin in Czechoslovakia suffered under communist rule for 41 years before the fall of the Soviet Union. Whenever it may be, I hope that we elevate inspirational leaders based on their decency and their character.

The character of our leaders has an impact on the behavior of our fellow citizens. When the leader normalizes conduct that we would traditionally associate with vice, they provide a permission structure for others to behave in a similar fashion.

When our leaders brazenly lie about everything, they create a cloud of confusion and doubt about fundamental and indisputable facts. Dishonesty is still a vice. We need leaders who tell the truth and do not ask us to disbelieve what we see with our own eyes. Imagine George Washington, axe in hand, claiming that he did not chop down that cherry tree.

I think we can all agree that vindictiveness and cruelty are not the qualities we hope for in our children. So why do we tolerate this behavior? When our leaders insult and attack others, and when we celebrate acts of cruelty and violence, it debases the culture of the country.

If you knew someone who openly displayed narcissistic tendencies and a lack of empathy, I think that you would keep your distance. That is not the type of person you would invite over for dinner, and it is definitely not someone that you would ask to babysit your kids.

While these are all categorically bad character traits that malign our public discourse and influence our culture, it is the divisiveness that fuels polarization that is killing the thing that makes America great. It wasn’t that long ago that we were able to come together in times of crisis, and our politics were played in the middle of the field by essentially moral people.

I believe in American exceptionalism and am optimistic about the future. We need to get back to basics and select leaders based on their fundamental decency as human beings. I do not care about their political affiliation or ideology as long as they behave in a way that I would not be ashamed to have my grandchildren emulate. In the meantime, I hope you will remain vigilant in your own life and not let the behavior of our current leadership impact the way you act, speak, or treat others. Please do your best to protect your kids from these influences by modeling the virtues and values that are the source of our strength as a country. God Bless America!