"LEADERSHIP FOR 2021: BE TRUE TO SELF, BE COURAGEOUS, BE ETHICAL"

As 2020 turns to 2021 new leadership is on the horizon. We look for leaders who know their own selves, who are able to resist pressure from those around them, and who live intentionally doing what is right at all times. We look to find brave, courageous leaders who are not so caught up in their own self that they will not act for the good of others. Whether it be the president of the United States or our local political leader we want leaders who follow the golden rule and the Ten Commandments, both in what they say to not do to others, as well as what they say about helping our neighbors whenever we can. If we have that kind of leadership, we will be able not only to get through this pandemic, but we will be able to find our way to cooperation and goodwill with other democracy seeking nations. We will be able to build a better world for all.

Leaders who know themselves and are not caught up into doing what others want them to do are not so prevalent today. If a good leader is able to differentiate herself/himself from those around them, she/he is able to be governed by principles and morality which seeks the good of all. In the past several years in the USA, no matter what political party they are, it seems rare for anyone to break through against “groupthink” and to stand for what they believed in when they ran for or took office. The self-differentiated leader, as Murray Bowen put it, will not get caught up in the sway of public opinion or pressure, but will be able to say "this is what I believe" and “here I stand.” One example in recent years of this in politics is the stand Senator John McCain took for the Affordable Care Act. The late senator would not be moved from what he felt what “doing what is right.”

Bravery and courage have been missing from many of our leaders in the past several years. From early on the late John Lewis exemplified the bravery and courage that was needed to stand up for justice and stand against forces that might have literally killed him. During the year ahead no matter what our political affiliation, we need brave, courageous leaders like that! If 2020 taught us anything, it instructed us in how we are part of a whole community, one which can either blatantly ignore the good of all (not wearing masks) or who can stand up for all those around us. Our loyalty should be to all humanity.

Leadership by principle has been greatly lacking during these past years. Although people of different religious and non-religious backgrounds may be among us, there are some principles that have been agreed upon by most people. They include “treat others as you would have them treat you.” Blaming and pointing fingers and making fun of others demonstrate a lack of care for others. Human beings begin to treat people like animals. Such principles as caring for our elders and parents (honoring father and mother) and “doing no harm to others” (do not kill but help) are almost universal in society. As Martin Luther did in his explanations of the commandments, we can turn each one into a positive principle for caring for others. As we do, we will demonstrate to those who follow how they are to care for those around them, beginning with their families and neighbors and community.

If each of us live out our lives intentionally seeking the good of all, and not just our own good, we will build a world around us. It begins with each and every one of us seeking to be “our best selves.” Then if 2021 brings us more difficult as 2020 brought us, we can survive, and even thrive.