Leadership

By Douglas V. Gibbs

As a military veteran, I understand the importance of good leadership in a society.  Leadership is a fascinating concept, for without enough leadership qualities the system is too weak to survive in the face of catastrophe, yet with leadership applied too strongly, the system becomes nothing more than a dictatorship.

Human beings are slaves to our human nature.  We are all unique individuals who think and act differently from each other.  We can learn, and we can adjust, but for the most part, we are set in our ways.  It takes a good leader to guide us where we need to be, as a united front, despite our differences.

When I talk about military leadership, and what makes a good leader in the military, I am not talking about the barking drill sergeant in boot camp, beautifully embodied in the character, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket, nor am I talking about some doughy pushover.  A good leader is not some boot camp Ensign or 2nd Lieutenant barking orders about something he knows nothing about except for what he read in the textbook, and a good leader is not Kilgore, the character Robert Duvall played in Apocalypse Now where he misused his leadership role in search of good surf.  A leader is a special character, and often doesn't even realize he or she is a good leader.  They just do what they see as being the right thing, in accordance to the authorities vested in them.  In the Constitution, the leader of the nation, the President of the United States, was envisioned as being just like George Washington - a large military leader that was gentle, and carried his own set of powerful moral ethics, while also being able to command and demand respect without having to raise his voice, or his fist, in anger.

Leadership is James Madison's wisdom, Andrew Jackson's determination, and Grant's ability to grind away at Robert E. Lee's forces while keeping the confederate mastermind from maneuvering out of reach.

Leadership is Truman's willingness to drop the atom bomb when all other choices had expired; Calvin Coolidge's willingness to cut taxes, spending, and regulations for the betterment of the nation, against the advise of many of the political talking heads around him - which resulted, by the way, in unbridled prosperity.  Leadership is Ronald Reagan's ability to communicate strongly and decisively to a nation faced with economic upheaval and a communist enemy set on our destruction.  Leadership is the determination, yet genuine understanding, exhibited by George W. Bush when communicating with a nation that had just been struck by terrorism on September 11, 2001.

Leadership requires strength, and self-imposed limitations.  Leadership understands the great power being held, leading as necessary, but never overusing the power granted by those around him.  Leadership is the ability to lead at the top, while remembering one is still a member of the nation, who has been privileged with the opportunity to lead.  Leadership revealed itself on the ridges of Gettysburg where the grimly determined, stubborn soldiers refused to relent.  But in the end, the success of the campaign was because of the leader, not just the men.  The leader takes all responsibility on his shoulders, holds himself responsible for all actions within his unit.  He is understanding, yet firm.  He is ethical and moral.  He is willing to give credit to his unit when credit is due, and take responsibility for failure upon himself when such a need arises.

We have no leader in the White House.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary