"Power and Responsibility: Are Our Leaders Measuring Up?"

I don't want this to be a political discussion but rather a reflection on leadership and our expectations of those at the helm. As Spider-Man wisely said, "With great power comes great responsibility." Leaders bear the weight of complex challenges, requiring them to navigate multiple dimensions and consider the far-reaching impacts of their decisions.

In our society, we often celebrate the rich and famous, overlooking those who make a difference every day. While extraordinary individuals have achieved remarkable feats in technology, science, and education, prompting us to view them differently, we must ask: What do we truly deem worthy of admiration?

During the inauguration, billionaires occupied the front row, while cops, firefighters, teachers, and farmers—the individuals who tirelessly keep us safe, educate our youth, and feed our families—were notably absent. The press secretary frequently mentions that it's a privilege to cover this White House during press briefings. However, Washington often plays both sides: serving the people while attempting to control the narrative. Shouldn't our capital embrace the principles of servant leadership?

Many claim he was elected in a landslide, possessing a clear mandate. Trump garnered approximately 77.3 million votes, capturing 49.8% of the popular vote. With the U.S. population estimated at about 340 million as of July 1, 2024, this means roughly 22.7% of Americans cast their vote for him. When asserting a mandate from the American people, it's crucial to recognize that this reflects the choice of less than a quarter of the population.

This leads us to consider what we expect from our leaders. If we discuss servant leadership, are these the qualities we anticipate from CEOs, their leadership teams, and our representatives in Washington?

Larry Spears, building upon Robert Greenleaf's work:

👂 Listening: Truly hearing others.

❤️ Empathy: Understanding team members' feelings.

🌿 Healing: Supporting emotional well-being.

👁️ Awareness: Recognizing self and surroundings.

🗣️ Persuasion: Influencing gently.

🌍 Conceptualization: Seeing the big picture.

🔮 Foresight: Anticipating outcomes.

🏛️ Stewardship: Serving the greater good.

📈 Growth: Investing in people.

🤝 Community: Fostering unity.

The real question is: What do we expect from our leaders and their behavior? When we face multi-dimensional problems where one size does not fit all—and not everyone will be happy with the outcome—how do we bridge the gap and help those we lead find compromise and positive outcomes, even when there seem to be none? I believe both things can be true: we can disagree and still find solutions.

Are we seeing these qualities in the leaders who shape our economy and the future of both the private and public sectors? I don't want to sound naive or simplistic, but there is something to be said about redefining leadership.