Dear President-Elect,
I’ve been thinking today about the difference between leadership and popularity. We have a practice of calling those who hold elected office “leaders.” Margaret Thatcher said this: “If you set out to be liked, you will accomplish nothing.”
Leaders persuade us or take us where they think we should go. Doesn’t matter whether it’s popular or unpopular. They have a vision and they strike out in a direction and hope others will follow.
Populars–a name I made up–don’t take us where they think we should go. Rather, they spend time and energy figuring out where the majority is headed. Then they run ahead of us to make it appear as if they have led us there. Most of us are populars, masquerading as leaders.
Tyrants, on the other hand, are just in charge. They don’t care or respect the needs or wishes of their people. They simply impose their will through any control mechanism available. The world is full of tyrants, masquerading as leaders. They rule in politics, in the work place, or in the home.
Leadership is found in the allusive sweet-spot between populars and tyrants.
Your challenge as president is to find that sweet-spot and grasp the leadership that lies therein. To do so, you will undoubtedly anger millions who voted for you. Care enough about the whole, to be willing to anger them. Many of the changes this country needs will further enrage those who already hate you. Care enough about the whole, to be willing to take their criticism and endure it with kindness.
You can be that kind of leader. To do so, you must care more about liberals’ and conservatives’ needs than your own.
Denying your own desires and looking to the needs of others will lead you to the sweet-spot. Therein, you will find leadership. Grasp it. Reintroduce it to Washington. Hang onto it–regardless of the personal cost to you.
Yesterday, I mentioned that transformational leadership requires love. Putting the needs of others above your own–this type of leadership is love.
Sincerely,
David O. Leavitt
