The Great Image Of Authority

In the first quarter of the 21st century, our idea of power is changing. The classical image of an emperor on his throne now has variant alternatives. No longer is the person in authority always Anglo Saxon or European, from a lineage or dynasty of people all wielding authority, or male, or over 60 years old at the time of assuming power. The trend towards younger Prime Ministers and Presidents started about ten years ago. And now we see that younger government ministers are being appointed, that they are often more educated and qualified than ministers were in the past, and that they often reflect more contemporary attitudes in their conduct and choices. 

Times are - slowly - changing. 

Experience and wisdom and guidance of the new contenders are maintained by the balance of the older cohort who remain in the   ministries. Leadership these days is not exemplified by the exercise of authority over others, but by the ability to influence others, not by force or fear, but by reason and respect, given and received. The clenched fist of feudal power now also requires an open hand of equanimity and co-operation. Respect formerly automatically given to a person in authority is now earned. 

This of course depends on the ability of the leader to manage his or herself, to excel in self governance and increase in self awareness as they fulfill their responsibilities to the public. Leaders who consciously and continuously use the position accorded them 

to genuinely serve the country and increase the welfare, well being and happiness of all. 

I have over the past few years found myself saddened as well as angered to see the President of the United States being so disrespected by the people who present talk shows and chat shows and interview him for television broadcasts. I could not believe my eyes at first, to see journalists in The New Yorker and The New York Times and hear the comedians on late night syndicated shows mock and parody a sitting President, cruelly portraying him as an incompetent buffoon. 

Speculating about a person’s fitness to hold a position of responsibility due to questions about their mental stability is actually a breach of their rights and their dignity, in civil society. If you call someone mentally unhinged, or say they are rambling or appear incoherent or confused, you can be charged with defamation or slander if it lowers their respect and standing in the community. But if they are in the supreme seat of authority, they are expected to be compos mentis, and to be able to fulfill their obligations, to stay on top of the incoming information they need to know, and to organize properly equipped and capable advisory staff to brief them as events develop. And they should listen to that advice, if it is good. 

The clearest sign of good leadership is the ability to effectively delegate, and to empower and encourage others. A leader who undermines those who question him or her, and publicly mocks or harries or freezes them out, is a person who does not understand the innate reciprocal agreements of power. This ignorance then leads to a situation where the leader ultimately and publicly loses the confidence of the people. 

Unfortunately, but inevitably, the disrespect given to people by a person in authority is also reflected back on them, in the way they are themselves disrespected. Leaders today are subjected to scrutiny and provocation on a large scale, given the ability of electronic media to widely share video footage of outrages and controversies in Parliament and every media interview and speech and appearance given by a public figure. It is inevitable that this aggressive onslaught will wear down a person’s equanimity. But the challenge is to stay focused on the goals undertaken, and remain undistracted, clear-minded and determined. 

Humility and the vital ability to recognize one’s own limits and flaws is difficult to combine with the abilities and talents which draw a person to public attention for high office, and it is almost impossible to maintain given the amount of flattery and praise directed at those who wield power. Yet it is the greatest quality a leader can have. 

To be able to see beyond one’s own personal ambitions and concerns is surely the key qualification of a leader who truly governs with integrity - whether it is a corporate Board or a nation - because it is this that enables a visionary individual to truly encourage the development of others to also exercise leadership and accountability in their own roles, in the interests of the public. Raging narcissism may be entertaining to watch as a performance on reality television, but it is discreditable in a leader, as the 45th President has discovered, in the buildup to the American election in November.

Particularly in the anxious and disrupted times in which we live, a person in authority today needs to recognize that they are truly accountable, and that they have a responsibility to the people they lead to keep them informed, to give them real facts, fulfill the promises made to them, and respect their need for guidance and information by updating them regularly on the changing situation in an era of unprecedented change and uncertainty. 

It’s called praxis. Theory made effective in action. And it’s what we all need, especially now.