By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.
Do you ever wonder why some must yell and scream to get their point across to people? Do you counter it by returning the screams and having loud voices? You know the classic British expression, “what’s good for the goose is good for the gander”.
I have never been an advocate for bad behavior. Being around folks who practice it won’t curry favor with me. They will never gain my respect.
There are many people who want to be leaders. They want to be the first to receive the information or the first to receive the important telephone call. Having high expectations means acting in an appropriate manner. That is my opinion.
Being a leader also means having grace under fire. There will be times when you are hard pressed to answer tough questions. You must keep a high level of deportment when you give your response.
Keeping your cool when it is not easy to do so will go a long way to winning the public’s trust. Even if it is not the answer people want to hear, they will respect the way in which you gave it.
Many of us were fortunate enough to be around people as we matured in our careers who we could emulate. They had qualities that made them stand out.
Kindly and humbly, I have had leadership positions where being thoughtful in my response put out a lot of would be fires and bad outcomes.
Now in my post-leadership days, I have had enough chances to observe leaders both in person and on television. In addition, I have had a chance to read some of their responses.
Today, there is a climate of meanness in the air within this administration. Sounding mean and having a scowl on their faces are acceptable modes of behavior for them.
For example, the current group in Washington gives no credit to former President Barack Obama for his eight years of service to this nation. At every turn, they blame him for everything that’s wrong with our country.
Much has happened since his time in office. The Affordable Care Act passed during President Obama’s administration has been critiqued to no end. The current group can’t applaud the fact that Obamacare has provided millions of people with healthcare.
I believe because it is commonly referred to as Obamacare is the reason that he wants everything named after him. Even more disturbing is that if he does not get his way, he simply withholds federal money from a project. Just ask the state of New York.
Sounding and looking mean have also affected a few loyalists in his circle. Let’s call out Greg Bovino and Kristi Noem for their callousness and calculated rants. Bovino oversaw ICE when it was wreaking havoc in the city of Minneapolis. Finally, he was removed and is now in California. America, I don’t think we will ever hear his name again. His abrasiveness caught up with him.
The Department of Homeland Security has been under fire because of its leader, Secretary Kristi Noem. Most recently, her vitriol reached a new level of indignation when she recently appeared at a Congressional hearing. She refused to answer any questions and blamed everything on anybody not affiliated with the current administration.
Unfortunately, for Secretary Noem, her own members in the GOP want her to resign, retire or be fired. Senator Thom Willis (NC) said, “If I were in her position, I can’t think of any point of pride over the last year.” Senator Lisa Murkowski (AK) said, “I supported her, I’ve supported her nomination. I had great hopes for her in the department, and I’ve been disappointed.”
Finally, operating from a space of arrogance and insult-driven barbs will get you put in your place. This axiom will be played out with more people in this administration. Just sit back and wait. You’ll see.
