Leadership is a gift to politicians

Does it seem to you the politicians in Washington seem happier forever fighting, than leading?

But why is that, do you think?

The headlines tell us about Republican leadership, and Democrat leadership. There’s Tea Party leaders, and Union leaders. There’s Congressional leaders, and Party leadership. House Minority leaders. Senate Majority leaders. Nancy Pelosi even has an entire website dedicated to proclaiming herself as a leader (go to www. democraticleader.gov).

So, everyone wants to be a “leader” then, or at least it seems so. The dictionary tells us that a “leader” is someone “who is in charge or in command of others; one who has influence or power.”

While the folks in Washington certainly have influence or power, and are increasingly in command of our Constitutional freedoms, there’s more to being a “leader” than calling yourself one, yet the media does it all day long.

This may be where the folks in Washington just don’t get it, and where the proverbial train has simply left the tracks.

You see, leadership is not about any of us deciding to lead on our own – it’s about whether others will choose to follow. In the words of General Mark Welsh, Commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe, “Leadership is a gift. It’s given by those who follow. You have to be worthy of it.” Abraham Lincoln put it this way, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

And this sage advice is reflected in the wisdom of the American people, as well. In fact, 60 percent of Americans say that if they had the chance to vote to defeat and replace every single member of Congress, including their own representative, to whom they have entrusted this power, they would.

After all, only 17 percent of voters think the country is heading down the right track. The approval rating for Congress is 5 percent, in a recent Associated Press poll, and the President’s job approval rating is down to 37 percent (the lowest number in any poll since he took office in 2009).

Interestingly, even polling data from the pearly gates of the Promised Land suggest that our nation’s founding fathers would even disapprove. A recently released Rasmussen poll reveals barely one-third of U.S. voters think the nation’s founding fathers would view the United States as a success today.

So, the bottom line is this: We no longer have “leaders” in Washington today (or enough of them, at least). At the very best, we have mostly “politicians.” Politicians who sought public office to advance their personal or partisan interests, often now to the displeasure of those who elected them.

But “leaders,” on the other hand, add value by serving others. They build trust by being consistent in their character. They are hopeful. They understand that activity is not necessarily accomplishment, and that there is no success without sacrifice. They practice what they preach. They do things that God values, and they learn from their mistakes.

So, the next time you hear a news reporter, or see a newspaper headline, about Congressional leadership, or White House leadership, or party leadership, in Washington, just remember this: There is a difference between genuine leaders, who add value to others, and the politicians, who seek mainly their own personal or partisan gain.

As author John Maxwell writes, “Anyone can steer the ship, but it takes a leader to chart the course.” And until our nation makes a change in our “leadership,” we’ll continue to have politicians who fight one another to influence the direction of our nation – yet have no idea where they want to go.

Louis R. Avallone is a Shreveport businessman and attorney. He is also a former aide to U.S. Representative Jim McCrery and editor of The Caddo Republican. His columns have appeared regularly in The Forum since 2007. Follow him on Facebook, on Twitter @louisravallone or by email at louisavallone@mac.com.