Every leader
Every Leader's Resolve Gets Tested
ultimately reaches a point where their resolve is tested, and they must make a
moral decision.
Words are easy. Action is much more difficult. Almost every organization I work with has a set of
core values that it has created to communicate
what the organization stands for and the boundaries of
acceptable behavior. The strongest companies tend to institutionalize these values through policies, processes, and systems, ensuring they “walk the talk” even when the easier path is to compromise.
Our president,
Barack Obama, is currently facing a major test of his moral leadership and resolve. For years, our country has ignored the authoritarian rule of
Hosni Mubarak. We have favored political expediency and “
Realpolitik” over the democratic reforms the
Egyptian people have been seeking for decades. Political pragmatism has often trumped our moral and
ethical values in the
Middle East and other parts of the world. If there is one thing the
United States of America is supposed to stand for, it is the importance of
individual freedom and democracy.
What We Ask of Our Leaders
Just like every other leader, but on a much more profound scale, all American presidents seem to be tested to see whether
they truly mean what they say. They are also asked to be stewards of a political system whose fundamental principles are clearly laid out. The very nature of leadership is that others look to someone else to lead and provide guidance as to
what is important. It is also important for that leader to
navigate the inevitable challenges that get in the way of living this reality and pursuing a better future. If it were easy, everyone could do it. President
Obama, the world is watching…
