Leadership advice for the 118th United States Congress
"..that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God." Oath of Office, United State Congress
What a week it was! I was angered and saddened at what the Wall Street Journal's editorial board rightly labeled, "performative politics" - the selfish maneuvering of a few against the many as the 118th Congress voted for its Speaker. I confess I do not have the full picture or the true intent of the "20" but I tried hard to listen and understand. My frustration turned to pride as our political institution finally delivered a peaceful transfer of power. In so many other countries this contention would have resulted in jailed individuals, burning buildings, death and destruction. While proud, I am not fooled. Our legislative branch of government has a bloody nose after that debacle and the ability to govern may be more difficult in the days ahead. As always, I'll refrain from politics and stick to leadership. Here is my advice to our newly sworn in representatives.
Two words. Lead and Represent.
Lead. Our elected officials are no different from any other leader in our nation. Save for those who served in the military, most were raised without any formal training and education on leadership. It is all but absent from the schoolroom. They must overcome this void to serve their constituents, our nation, and the Constitution. Resorting to physical violence and holding a book with an expletive in the title are not examples of leadership. Those acts would have cost me my career in the Army and our representatives ought to be held to the same standard.
They ought to spend some time knowing themselves on a deeper level - what fuels their anger, their passions and purpose, and what their weaknesses are. These things ought to inform who they surround themselves with. They must understand that they are now on public display. Everything they say and do will be on the record. Of course they are human beings but they should consciously strive to have greater presence. They can and should counter the other party and even the president if they choose, but they ought to do so with professionalism, policy-based points and counter points, not slander. As leaders they should engage in active listening. They ought to espouse a set of values consistent with holding office - selflessness, duty, courage, honor, and the like.
Represent. They are representatives after all, therefore they should represent. Leaders represent their people. They should practice not, what they came to do but rather, what needs to be done - the will of their constituents. Each of them has their own reason for entering politics but their objectives must be subordinate to that of their constituents. Leaders can live in isolation, in echo chambers where they hear only their own voice. Our representatives must hear their constituents and let the will of the people guide their acts. They ought to be representatives of the Constitution - the document they swore and oath to support and defend, even if it means offering thoughtful, reasoned, improvements to it.
You'll note a theme of selflessness here. I do believe there are many good representatives who wake each morning driven to do the will of the people and to keep our country great, but all of this above must be said. Ive often said, if you want to see an example of bad leadership, turn on the TV and watch our political leaders. It would be nice if the 118th Congress began to turn the tide - if they could step up, lead and represent as they should.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell