Picking a leader

The once-outlandish, now conceivable spectacle that Donald Trump could be our next U.S. president is forcing us to reconsider how we choose our leaders. Have we lost track of what it takes to be a good leader? Do we agree on the necessary qualities of leadership? Forget about voting for Trump, Hillary or some other politician, can we even figure out how to pick a new mayor, sports team captain, PTA president or county supervisor anymore?
Maybe good leadership is no longer necessary. Aren’t most of our choices already made for us by forces beyond our control? Isn’t our society too complex for the kind of leadership that made America great in the first place?
What would our Founding Fathers know about Apple vs. the FBI, for instance? Just look at our once-innocent sports teams, would Knute Rockne or Casey Stengel still be our first choice for a team coach or manager?
Remember our young days on the playground when we picked team captains? What criteria did we use? Did we always just pick the biggest, strongest or loudest? Even back then, did intelligence, fairness and shared values matter?
For the Analy or El Molino football, soccer or basketball teams, it’s not always the best athlete that makes the best team captain or leader. Sebastopol Mayor Sarah Glade Gurney isn’t necessarily the most experienced or toughest person in town. But, along with her fellow council members, she obviously has plenty of good leadership qualities to get elected by a majority of voters. Would Donald Trump make a good mayor for Sebastopol? Think about it.
Different times demand different kinds of leadership. Abraham Lincoln might have only been a mediocre president if not for the Civil War. The Great Depression and World War II defined Franklin Roosevelt’s leadership qualities.
What kind of times do we now face that so many fellow Americans seem to believe Donald Trump would make a good president and leader? All the primary election polls say the majority of voters are “angry.” Even if true, when was picking the playground bully to be leader a good idea?
Whatever the times, good leadership should be defined by intelligence, good listening skills, an optimistic and can-do spirit, sharp focus, empathy for others, decisiveness and — often the most important — be ready to inspire.
But that sounds like an impossible job description to match. When did we ever have a U.S. President with even half those skills or traits? Even Reagan and Kennedy had big holes in their resumes.
Maybe that’s an important point to remember. Lots of times, good leaders must be humble and be willing to admit their shortcomings. In truth, leadership is usually a team effort, even when one man or woman is given most of the credit.
Forget about Trump. (Boy, we wish we could.) Leadership for our country, city or team is about making tough decisions and not-so-perfect choices. But compromises, openness and admitting mistakes all seem taboo nowadays. However, local government, democracy, good committee work or international nuclear treaties can’t work without this kind of shared leadership.
Inside our own families — be honest – when was the last time Father (or Mother) always knew best? Whenever he or she did, it was probably when they did their best listening. It doesn’t require toughness to make tough decisions; it requires kindness.
Wouldn’t it be great if “Make America Kind Again” was our nation’s favorite campaign slogan this election year?
At least Donald Trump won’t be on our next ballot for mayor or county supervisor. We can still vote for real leadership in local government, at our schools and for all our other “hometown” teams.
— Rollie Atkinson