The Stokes Report: Leadership vs. Power

Leadership is the gifted ability to draw all opinions before acting on a decision. Power, or the abuse of it, is demonstrated by avoiding dialog that may not agree with your direction. Leadership has enough self-confidence to thrive on debate from dissenting opinions. Power runs for political cover when asked straightforward questions. Leadership attempts to sway others to their view by honoring their position as elected representatives. Power says, “We won; you lost.” Leadership is expressed in humility; power is expressed in arrogance.  

Today in all levels of government we are seeing a vacuum of leadership. Enfield needs real leadership now more than ever. We have some tough times ahead and some very important projects to move forward. We have issues that affect our children’s education, our property owners’ tax burden, and our everyday way of life.

On the local level, I can honestly say we have had strong leaders the past few years. The state of Connecticut needs leadership also, especially with the way things are going today. And at the top of the political food chain is our federal government, who, as I write this article, is battling over the debt ceiling, cutting spending and deciding who will bear the blame for shutting down the government if no agreement is reached.  

Power can be used to advance an agenda. The majority can win every vote. The elected minority can be made irrelevant. But what will be the cost?  

The cost will be a loss of confidence in our leaders. We will see headlines in the press, not about what we are fighting for, but who we are fighting with. We will see voters lose interest in elections because their vote is not valued unless they vote for a certain political party.

Recently, the major news organizations reported that President Obama’s approval rating is under 50%. Another poll showed that the American people have no confidence in our U.S. Senators and Congressmen and women. In the midst of this vacuum of confidence, nothing is getting accomplished.

The President even tried to take the issues to the American people with fear tactics like informing our senior citizens that Social Security checks may not go out. Some have said that he was taking his lead from how President Ronald Reagan would talk directly to the people. The big difference is that President Reagan had the vast majority of our citizens on board with his direction.  

Our country is in need of real leadership. Not the type we are seeing now, but men and women who know how to achieve what’s best for society. Washington, D.C., has taken on the appearance of a dysfunctional family. Grandstanding, arguing, and threatening have a way of lowering the respect for the offices people hold.  

I believe the public is getting weary of all the stonewalling they are seeing. The “blame game” seems to be the only thing we hear these days about spending, taxing, and the debt ceiling. The fact is that it is our leaders’ faults for not realizing that leadership is about building consensus, while power is about demanding “my way or the highway.”

Now some Republicans and Democrats may not like what I am about to say. Many are so party-driven that sitting down and finding common ground is considered impossible. But when you are elected to a leadership post, part of your job is to work well with others.  

Yes, there are times when moral or even financial convictions cannot be compromised. But being unwilling to move toward each other does a disservice to the country, state, and town.  

So, you be the judge. Are our politicians exercising leadership or power?  

Let’s look at the last few months in our own state capital. During the budget process, the majority party pushed through a budget without any real acceptance of the minority parties’ suggestions or ideas. Amendments were offered, but not one was accepted. Is that leadership or power being exercised?  

In Washington, D.C., we have a government that is poised to shut down. Congress and the President are talking around each other, but no one is listening. Yes, I agree that raising the debt ceiling without spending cuts means we are just putting off our problems until a later date. Maybe it is time for a Balanced Budget Amendment. At least then the states could decide the parameters in which we spend federal dollars.  

Today we need leaders like we have had in the past, leaders that would consider the viewpoints of others and include everyone in the game. Abraham Lincoln was just such a leader.  

In the book Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwyn, we find a great history lesson for building a team out of rivals. The book chronicles the life of Abraham Lincoln, and has become one of my favorite books. President Lincoln was the underdog in the 1860 presidential campaign. He had fierce opponents in his run for the Republican nomination. He had an uphill battle to secure the presidency of the United States, which was divided mainly on the issues of slavery and state rights.   Once elected, instead of treating his many opponents like enemies, he selected many of them to serve in his Cabinet and in his military leadership. It was not with the intention of that old saying, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” He actually chose them to serve with him because he valued opposing opinions and wanted the best and the brightest.  

President John F. Kennedy acted in like fashion to Lincoln. When he was putting his team together, he also wanted the best, whether Republicans or Democrats, to serve in his administration.  

Both these men knew that intellect and wisdom are not attributes of one or the other political party. In my opinion, that knowledge is what true leadership is about.  

Our nation and state would be well served if our elected leaders reached out to the other side of the aisle. President Obama may still hold his ground, but at least he will gain the respect of many for being genuine in his approach. Governor Dan Malloy would also find the road he travels easier if he included Republican leadership in the dialog.  

As we face local campaigns in the fall, consider the track record for all seeking office. Do they lead, or do they just want power?