Should We Follow the Leader?

One of the common problems here in the Rust Belt is the lack of leadership. Perhaps it’s due to living in a “small town” mentality or because so few good paying jobs exist. Ducking the obvious questions and failing to recognize problems seems to be fashionable. When a leader allows position, money, or status to interfere with “doing the right thing” we have a bigger problem.

News Media

Years ago, news reporters built their reputation by asking the hard questions, un-covering stories and following leads. Now it’s about the advertisement revenue and in most cases- nothing else matters. Reporters used to take risks, a voice of reason and hold society accountable. Locally, all we are left with is a liberal newspaper seeking social media approval, being ever so careful not to hurt advertiser’s feelings.  

This lowers the bar for everyone.

Corporate Management

Corporate management is so concerned to move up the ladder or protect their positions, problems don’t exist. The only real problem is when they are able to avoid the leak. So, generally the problem is the person who reports the bad news. The plan to shutdown the point of question invariably becomes the point of attack.

Whatever happened to- Don’t shoot the messenger?

--Again, the bar is lowered and the outcome is a message of everything’s roses.

Hardly!

Stay in Line-Follow the Sheep

The saddest fact is young people witness these acts of poor leadership techniques and believe it is acceptable or the norm. The public believes everything is fine. Monkey see, Monkey do.

Eventually, a large part of society has been so blinded, so mislead that it fails to recognize right from wrong. The message sent is nothing matters except money, greed and position. Everything is fine, just sit back and let us run the ship.

That little ice-burg we just hit was nothing. Keep dancing. After all, we are the Titanic!

Just the Facts

Far better to question authority, use a fact checker or follow-up the situation yourself. Push the powers to be to ask the right questions and hold those responsible for answers. Never settle for- “No” or “I’ll get back with you.”

Settling for the norm ensures mediocrity or worse. Relying on someone else to have your best interests at heart is a mistake. It’s only their own agenda that matters to them.

If you are unable to get results going up the chain of command- stop contributing to the product, find a new job or remove yourself from the situation., Writing helps, because in today’s social media rage articles get noticed quickly and most businesses hate bad publicity. Sometimes, it’s the last source to seek change.

Encouraging integrity from our leaders  raises the bar of accountability, reduces the need for transparency and encourages truth.

By seeking purposeful questions we will hold those accountable for meaningful answers!

Anything less is lip service.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

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