Leadingtoday

Didier Bourguet

At one time in history the nation of France was one of the most proud civilizations in the world. That once was true, but its decline redefines the term “free-fall”. A few weeks ago a French judge gave a sentence of nine years to a man named Didier Bourguet. What crime did Mr. Bourguet commit? Perhaps robbing a bank or selling illegal drugs?  No … he had committed at least 20 rapes of young minor girls in two different African nations. He also possessed pedophile pornography. How was this possible you ask? He was responsible for the maintenance of United Nations peacekeeping vehicles. Here is a 44-year-old man who has raped over 20 girls between the ages of 12 and 18. What powerful defense did Mr. Bourguet and his attorney have? The sex was consensual, or he didn’t know they were underage. Wow … what a powerful convincing explanation.

 This is just another example of the void of leadership and justice that exists in the nation of France in the 21st century. The sentence is a mockery of justice and an insult to human dignity. Maybe because they were “African” girls, they were not considered complete human beings!

It’s time for another French revolution.

What are your comments …

Many years ago when I lived in North Carolina I remember a saying from my old friend Billy Winstead. Every time an election would come around he would utter in his native Carolina twang… “wood ticks, dear ticks and politics… they’s all parasites!”

Here we are in another American election season. All the candidates tell us that they have the leadership qualities needed to move the United States in a better direction. But when all is said and done, much more will be said and promised than is ever done. Here are some things to remember as you listen to the Presidential candidates.

1.  Presidents don’t make laws… congress does. Be careful of all the things any candidate tells you he or she will do. Without the consent of Congress it is all empty and wishful thinking. Don’t give any president more credit (or criticism) than they deserve. As an executive… the President has limited powers. The strength of the office is in having a “bully pulpit” that can go directly to the American people to pressure Congress to act.

2. Political parties don’t provide leadership, people do. Great Presidents have never been afraid to ignore their party affiliation or platform if it is in contradiction with the best interests of the American people. We need free-thinkers who have a solid core of values, not more lemmings who are beholden to their political parties.

3. If we want the “brightest and the best” to be our political leaders, we will need to change the corrupt dysfunctional system that has evolved. Right now the “brightest and the best” will not submit themselves or their families to the existing political hazing process. Instead they start businesses or serve their communities in other ways. Today our candidates… from every party… are not the brightest and the best America has to offer, but the “related” to someone and the rest. Cronyism and nepotism are cancers that will eventually destroy any organization.

For the next two months we will hear promises, and more promises. It is all hype and only intended to tell us what they think we want to hear. I suggest you choose your candidate by observing their degree of character and integrity. The weLEAD “leadership tip” Behaviors and Traits may give you something to think about. It mentions the kind of person we should all desire as President of the United States.

For years we have been encouraged to have a leadership blog as part of the weLEAD website. I am pleased to finally offer one that I believe can make a difference. The purpose of this blog will be to discuss the leadership (or lack of it) that permeates every part of our society. Without taking a narrow partisan approach to politics, religion, culture or organizations… I will discuss why leadership is so desperately needed in our complex modern world. Furthermore, I will use my experience as a college professor to teach what works… what doesn’t, and why! Of course, your comments and participation are always welcome.

I am a firm believer in “personal leadership.” If you google the term “personal leadership” you will find that #1 (the top of the list) is an article I wrote in weLEAD Online Magazine in 2002. It is entitled Just What is Personal Leadership. I encourage you to take a few minutes to read this article. It will reveal to you the heart and core of weLEAD and “yours truly.” 

Be sure to let me know about any topics you feel can create a lively an informative discussion!

Greg