Friday, January 23, 2009

Judgement in Leadership

We choose our leaders based on the ability they have to echo the goals of we the people in shaping our government policy and making decisions on our behalf. When we go to the polls we make the decision based on what we know about the candidate, the judgment they have proven in the past, the issues that align with our own, and the causes that we wish them to champion. We vote with the belief that they will be a leader we proudly represent our community, our neighbors, and our children. A leader who we would follow, who we would trust, and who will lead by example.When our leaders fail, when they fall, and when they falter, we must hold them to the standard that we set when we elected them. To do anything else is to ask less of ourselves, and to lower the standards we set on our society. Leaders should be held to the highest standard. Above all, they should represent the majority of our views, our values, and our principals. While there is always a minority opinion and view equally respected, the moral standard should never be lowered. The expectation of a greater sense of responsibility and judgment should never be altered, excused, or forgiven. We are speaking of our leaders, roll models, and the people we look to for guidance. When these leaders reveal a lack of judgment or character, no matter if in there private or public life, they should be called to account, and if they fail to voluntarily resign, they should be replaced.

We the people expect better than ourselves in our leaders!

Why would anyone support Mayor Sam Adams of Portland? Would you ask him to run your local high school after admitting to a sexual affair with a 18 year old that started when that person was only 17? Not only should he resign, those fostering support for him should be put on notice that they too lack judgment to lead.

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