America Deserves Better Leaders

The actions taken during this pandemic further prove it

Image by archies7 from Pixabay

World leaders face challenges and difficult decisions many can’t even imagine. We depend on these people to exemplify our values and ideals as a country, but America’s “leadership” lately represents us as a country of people unable to take criticism, incapable of accepting responsibility for our actions, and as a country driven by personal preservation. Our country is in dire need of better leadership, and the actions taken during the current pandemic further prove it. By looking at the science of leadership and other current leaders of the world, we see what great leaders look like — and hopefully what our leadership could again look like.

“The very essence of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can’t blow an uncertain trumpet.” -Theodore M. Hesburgh

What makes a good leader?

People have analyzed the qualities of great leaders throughout history. At times, we respected leaders for their wartime abilities and found value in leaders like Genghis Khan and Alexander the Great. Other historical leaders were applauded for their ability to captivate and motivate a crowd. We’ve studied these historical figures and the social responses to quality leaders to reveal the qualities of a great leader.

• Great leaders communicate clearly: Winston Churchill was one of the world’s greatest leaders. His ability to articulate came from constant practice. Historical writer, Andrew Roberts, says Churchill would spend up to thirty hours practicing a speech. Words are powerful — they bring people together, inspire action, and play a vital role in any good leader’s playbook.
• Leaders focus on the needs of others: We depend on our leaders to provide us with resources. Leaders make sure their people receive accurate information, financial resources, and clear direction. Great leaders see things through the eyes of the people they lead instead of thinking of themselves.
• They build strong relationships: A leader’s ability to develop and maintain a reliable connection with people, working together for the greater good, can’t be understated. When a leader is incapable of working with others, they limit their potential and the…