Leadership and Power – Guide or Dictator?

Leadership and Power.
Guide or Dictator?

For my dear friend: (I hope this helps).

I think of all the things that one could desire. Many desire power, leadership, prestige. But once these are gained, often something more is found lacking. Something inside. Things like honor, and admiration, and trust. Things that bring peace to one’s soul.

When the latter is not present, the leader often is cruel, non-committal, or completely disappears from the process. Those under them also wane and leave their positions – not feeling respected and part of a team. Or they simply do as little as possible to earn that paycheck.

True leaders understand that it is through humility and working side-by-side with others that you gain admiration, honor, and the likely trusted friendship of those beside you.

I have a few verses that I have always liked:

1. Proverbs 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.
2. With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility.

There is great responsibility in leadership, yes. Some have been given that responsibility, yet lack the humility to engage and motivate those beneath them. They think that the power given to them means they can demean and control – passive or aggressively. Their words are often hurtful, without consideration or forethought. These types of leadership eventually fail and never rise to the level of admiration nor honor awarded to others. Self-obsession, greed, gossipy, or hateful lusts cause dissension and mistrust of those all around them.

It is not hidden – it is out there for all to see. Many ask why is it allowed to continue? I have a perception/assumption, based on a simple comparison. The comparison of good boss – bad boss. No one wants to be the bad boss, so others will use that person to compare and prepare, for everything they will do in their own leadership role.

The best and hardest lessons are often sadly learned from bad bosses. Both the best and worst employees are lost due to bad bosses, bad decisions, and worse – bullying. There is a risk in good boss – bad boss. The stakes? Your job, your company, your respect. It is a risk your company takes to keep them on. It can also be used as a tactic in those wanting to climb the corporate ladder or undercut another department, organization, individual, and disrupt contracts.

Frankly, some turn a blind eye because they just don’t have time to care. “It’s not my problem”. The human condition.
Carefully look at your leadership style, not the bad bosses. Don’t abandon your own principles, but carefully work with those who will follow you into the fire. It is those following you who may have to pull your butt out of the flames surrounding you. Build that trust carefully.