Bad behavior seems to be at an epidemic level these days. This is why encouraging leadership is so important. Individuals are choosing to work the system and take things that do not belong to them instead of doing what is right and honest. Recently, 60 Minutes featured a story about what is going on with Social Security Disability. Entire towns are on Social Security Disability. Entire towns of people say they can’t work for one reason or another. They talked about the abuse of the system and fraud that was taking place with taxpayer dollars. I was shocked.
Even our leaders in Washington seem to be demonstrating some less than appropriate behavior for leaders toward one another. We seem to be more interested in playing the blame game and pointing fingers at each other rather than addressing the issues at hand. Someone on Capital Hill should start encouraging leadership.
Our country is definitely experiencing a shortage of genuine, honest role models and leaders. Perhaps it is because honest individuals do not want to come forward and possibly subject themselves to the unkindness of society. Perhaps they are afraid of what might happen to their families and how their loved ones may be treated. Our media certainly plays a role in how we perceive candidates both favored and disliked, and they can be rather cruel with their depictions. Regardless of what the situation may be, we need to start cultivating some future leaders or we are going to be in real trouble.
We need to reach out and identify individuals who may show potential. This can be done by mentoring someone at work, in your neighborhood or at church. Identify their strengths and encourage the individual to take their talents to the next level.
Create an entrepreneurial program for future leaders and practice effective public speaking and discuss business ethics and philanthropy. Talk about the importance of making a good decision and thinking of others when you are making choices. Teach them to think about the future and the importance of good choices today to secure a beneficial tomorrow. Discuss traits of great past leaders. Most of our past great leaders did not spend a lot of time putting themselves on pedestals and gloating about themselves but rather spent a lot of time thinking and talking about the people.
We need to start cultivating some potential directors to ensure a favorable future. Think about how you might encourage someone with promise.
Colleen Harding is a certified etiquette and protocol instructor and the founder of the Cleveland School of Etiquette and Corporate Protocol. Programs and packages available for children and businesses.