LEADERSHIP

The Most Authentic Leader of Our Time

Have you read Barry’s beautiful words?

Yesterday I wrote a piece entitled ‘A Story About the Future for Authentic Leadership’. An article that attracted two responses, from two great writers, as follows:

№1 — Joe Luca

Mr Luca kicked it off, I was honoured and educated reading Joe’s words:

Cool article Paul. To the point and thought-provoking.

I looked at one of your referenced articles and see that is one study, 4 per cent of men were found to be self-aware and 19 per cent of women.

While appallingly low for both sexes, all I have to do is look over our political landscape over here and see that it’s accurate — if even a little generous.

Leaders are motivated, people. Most are driven to succeed — like athletes. They train and think of goals and achievements and accolades and awards. In a word, they’re selfish.

But the ones that push through this level and become true leaders — understand who they are, what they are good at, how they influence and motivate others and become driven by what others achieve. It’s a natural progression that few go through. Selfishness and self-satisfaction is addictive.

Think Mitch McConnell. He revels is suppressing the other side. In dashing hopes, defeating ideas, curtailing growth — all, so that one side (and one person) looks good.

I believe my toaster is slightly more aware than he is. But it’s highly adapted for its purpose. 🤔

I wish more leaders would get to read this. Cheers.

Then another great writer followed up with these words:

№2 — Kathryn A. LeRoy, Ph.D.

Thank you! My feelings run so deep about this topic, and you brought forth excellent points that all of us should remember.

With gratitude.

I’m truly honoured, Kathryn and Joe. When I read your words I reread the piece written by a former US President below:

Barack Obama wrote:

I could not be prouder to congratulate our next President, Joe Biden, and our next First Lady, Jill Biden.

I also couldn’t be prouder to congratulate Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff for Kamala’s groundbreaking election as our next Vice President.

In this election, under circumstances never experienced, Americans turned out in numbers never seen. And once every vote is counted, President-Elect Biden and Vice President-Elect Harris will have won a historic and decisive victory.

We’re fortunate that Joe’s got what it takes to be President and already carries himself that way. Because when he walks into the White House in January, he’ll face a series of extraordinary challenges no incoming President ever has — a raging pandemic, an unequal economy and justice system, a democracy at risk, and a climate in peril.

I know he’ll do the job with the best interests of every American at heart, whether or not he had their vote. So I encourage every American to give him a chance and lend him your support. The election results at every level show that the country remains deeply and bitterly divided. It will be up to not just Joe and Kamala, but each of us, to do our part — to reach out beyond our comfort zone, to listen to others, to lower the temperature and find some common ground from which to move forward, all of us remembering that we are one nation, under God.

Finally, I want to thank everyone who worked, organized, and volunteered for the Biden campaign, every American who got involved in their own way, and everybody who voted for the first time. Your efforts made a difference. Enjoy this moment. Then stay engaged. I know it can be exhausting. But for this democracy to endure, it requires our active citizenship and sustained focus on the issues — not just in an election season, but all the days in between.

Our democracy needs all of us more than ever. And Michelle and I look forward to supporting our next President and First Lady however we can.

Obama’s words capture the essence of Authentic Leadership.

Final Thoughts

As an Irishman, my opinion is far insignificant compared to that of my US family, those charged to choose the future leader of the USA. You held the world’s future in your hands and responded…we’re proud of you!

Take a bow!

Pride aside, one powerful leadership message was consistent in the words written by Barack, Joe and Kathryn — gratitude.

So thanks to you Kathryn, Joe and Barack for your inspiring prose. Dublin maybe 3,176 miles from New York, but we hear you!