Tag: politics

Courage

Recently I had the privilege of being a judge in the JFK Profiles in Courage High School essay contest. It was both an inspirational and aspirational experience personally, as someone who has been in leadership positions over his career, and professionally.

For those unfamiliar with JFK’s book, Profiles in Courage, it was written some 70 years ago by then Senator John F. Kennedy. The stories he shared through the book were ones of the courage displayed by various political figures throughout our history. Some figures are well known, like John Quincy Adams. Others less so, like Edmund Ross, a Republican from Kansas, who voted to acquit Democrat Andrew Johnson at his impeachment trial, against the pressure from his party.

Kennedy described courage in politics, and life, as demonstrating a willingness to stand on principle even when it might be against your party and, in some cases, your own constituents. It was making a decision of conscience over political expediency. Kennedy believed that elected officials are given the honor to serve because the voters trust their judgement and integrity. In some cases, these acts of courage ended their political careers. But as another famed Boston legend once noted, “If you have integrity, there are very few people who can insult you, or honor you.” Acting out of principle can be a lonely game.

The essays I read were notable for two reasons. First, the research these students embarked on to find political figures with whom they had no familiarity (one of the criteria for essay consideration is that the person cannot be someone who is currently in the news or a historical figure whose story has been told many times before), meant they had to do the hard work of finding both a political figure and a compelling act of political courage they displayed.

Second, they needed to articulate the motivation of the politician in taking a principled stand, why it was courageous to do so, and how it impacted their political life post the decision. In that process, they learned what it means to be a principled leader and to risk one’s career to take a principled position. And their passionate telling of these stories demonstrated that learning.

For those reasons, it gave me hope in our future leaders.

The essays also inspired me. Although my work these days is more focused in the non-profit community development world, I still need to think about how I show up with integrity and support the principles under which I chose to do what I believe is important work. We are all leaders in some way.

They also reminded me that I need to do more work before casting my vote for any politician. Some of that starts with doing the same kind of research these young high school students did. Understanding the principles of the people asking for my vote, what they believe, where have they displayed the conviction of those beliefs, and whether I believe they will display integrity and courage in office. And then, once in office, holding them accountable through their term and at the next election cycle.

I also cannot act out of expediency. Voting is both a right and a privilege.

This and prior years winning essays are available to read here:

https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest/past-winning-essays

Let us both be inspired by those who are and aspire to be more courageous.

Leading by Example

We live in a time of great political division in our country. That division naturally flows into the workplace as so much of our time is spent there. And, when sharing ideas or working through problems, our lens can often be colored by our politics.

How does one lead people in these challenging times? We all know the importance of diversity of thought in the workplace in order to drive innovation and collaborate to build on others ideas. But diversity also brings the challenge of competing views that, unfortunately for many, has become personal.

There is no easy answer here. There is no course to take or 5-step plan to execute. These are the challenges that separate managers from leaders. These are the challenges that require a mindset shift from directing people to complete tasks, to self-reflection and ongoing personal development to be able to lead by example.

When RFK chose to share with a largely black audience at a campaign stop in Indianapolis that MLK, Jr. had been assassinated, he was advised against it. The concern for rioting and violence and fear for RFK’s own safety were likely very real. But RFK chose to speak. Still haunted by the death of his brother, he had spent time after JFK’s death to reflect and adjust the lens through which he saw the world and his place in it.

Gone was the arrogant, brash former Attorney General known for being the bad cop to his brother’s good cop. RFK had embraced empathy and compassion as he travelled across the country and spoke to people in poverty-stricken areas and those less fortunate who had no chance of realizing the American Dream. He internalized their feelings and their sense of hopelessness and committed himself to make change.

As important as that empathy for others was RFK’s ability to translate that understanding into a vision and passion and agenda for ALL Americans to embrace. He was able to speak from his heart and lead by example. He now saw both sides and was able to work to bridge the divides. It took him years to develop that deeper understanding.

Leadership is a continual work in progress. There is no end to the leadership project. It requires the same level of focus and energy as defining a strategy or executing the operational plan. But it can be harder as it is a more personal effort.

Leadership is an aspirational journey. In today’s divisive times, take time for self-reflection. Look at things through a different lens. Listen to other views. Find ways to bridge the divides.

After MLK’s death there were riots across almost all the major cities in the US…except Indianapolis.