Leading Change in the U.S. Political Climate – What Government Needs for Leading its People.

What happened to the leadership that would positively inspire someone to do great things? Where have our influential leaders gone that seek to serve our country? Leadership in America has become one of our nation’s largest crisis’s, however, this can change. There are many phenomenal leaders in the United States that seek to serve their people through authenticity, positivity, empathy, humility, love, inspiration, and integrity. These are just a few of the qualities found in a leader, but the list goes on. The great thing about America is that we have the freedom to choose. We have the choice in electing these qualities in our leaders whether they be on the local, state, or federal government level. How would you feel if you followed a leader that possessed these qualities? How would this change the state of our nation? With the inauguration coming up next week, leaders must be focused on exemplifying great leadership in our people. Our leaders must focus on living a positive example for others to model. In addition, the people must also live these positive values. Today I will give you three must have qualities that the leaders and people of our nation need to possess for a positive path forward in leading our country. 1) Our leaders need to display humility, 2) our government needs to embrace authenticity, and 3) our nation needs to show love by always serving our people and inspiring them to become who they were meant to be.
 
In the words from the author of The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren states, “This is true humility: not thinking less of ourselves but thinking of ourselves less”. We must display our humbleness and admit to our mistakes and shortcomings while becoming vulnerable. Growing up I was scared to admit I was wrong, I thought if I held my ground I would be respected. However, I found the opposite to be true. When we display humility, we start connecting with others. We begin to build trust and break down our walls to help others relate to us. Humility gives us the power to lead others by getting off our balcony of authority and allows us to meet our people on the ground floor to walk with them in their growth.
 
Once we acquire the attribute of humility, we then start living a more authentic lifestyle by showing our true actions, thoughts, and emotions. Think of one of your closest friends, what made you connect with them? What made you gravitate to who they are? You might be thinking this person is 100% their true self. Maybe you thought they displayed integrity by always following through with what they said they would do. I have made it my goal to live my most authentic life by keeping my word and following through on my actions. At times it is hard, and I admit to my mistakes, but it is always about fighting to improve on the honesty within yourself to live a more authentic, real life. Imagine if our governmental leaders made this a priority. Think of all the great things that would come from the behaviors that they modeled.
 
Lastly, our nation needs the act of love more than any other time in recent history. In today’s world you will see people quickly expressing what comes to their minds on social media, but when it comes to in-person interactions (ignoring the fact that we are in a global pandemic) people suddenly lose all their courage. It reminds me of the dog that barks behind the fence, but once you open the gate, suddenly, they become silent. Pushing our thoughts and opinions about how the world should work is not love. Love is about listening, seeking to understand the other person’s point of view, and continually serving others before ourselves. Choose today to understand, learn, serve, and love those around you!
 
The great thing about change is that it starts with us. You and every other leader out there can make the decision today to be a positive influence on others. What if our leaders chose a path of integrity and followed through with their commitments? What if we did not see political parties and instead chose to see the qualities found in the individuals leading us? If you want to change society, start with its people. Have humility, be authentic, and love others!
 
With hope in action,
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Carl