Is the 2016 Election Leadership Buffoonery?

is the 2016 election leadership buffoonery?

Copyright 2016 Aleasa M. Word

It seems like every day in the news there's another story about a twitter comment Donald Trump has written or a suggested lie Hilary Clinton has told. Many of us will be happy to put this election behind us; however, most of us are concerned about what impact either candidate would have on our nation. One of them is slated to assume the highest leadership role in the country.

As it pertains to leadership, I wonder what have both nominees taught us about leadership? More importantly, what is this messy smear campaign teaching our children about leadership and what is the long term impact? When you hear John Maxwell, one of the most influential teachers on leadership speak from his book The 5 Levels of Leadership, he talks about position, permission, production, people development and pinnacle. These are the ways in which people follow leaders or people serve as leaders depending on how you want to look at it.

So to analyze this briefly, how would we inclusive of our children who are still learning see leadership in a Hillary or Donald type of way as compared to Mr. Maxwell's model? Would they follow one of them as president simply because they occupy the position? Would they instead look to follow them because they simply want to or because of the results they feel they would give back to the people based on a proven record? Would people follow one them because in office they will make sure to help American's develop into the best people they can be from both a citizenship behavioral standpoint and a financial standpoint? Or would they follow them because they've earned the respect that a great leader should have?

The message being sent to so many young people from this campaign is one of dysfunction, deceit, bias and immaturity in my humble opinion. I say humble as to not elevate myself to the position of lead thought person on these two candidates but to say I respect my opinion is one of millions and none are any better than the other so we can embrace differences instead with curiosity. I also say the message is scary as it shows us you don't have to fight fairly or decently, but instead just fight and do whatever it takes no matter how low you want to go.

Is this really the message we want our children to see and hear. Is this really what we've come to in America which was once looked at as a super power? Any perusal of popular magazines around the world will show you that America the great is at many times becoming America the joke because of this election. As an American, that is hurtful to me and concerning as my children have been intently watching this debacle so they could get ready for any mock elections that come up at school. In my house we discuss the ramifications of the behavior of the two candidates in the world my kids live in daily. We discuss the importance of behaving with class even when others are engaged in buffoonery because we simply won't stoop to their level. When I talk to them though, I can't help but wonder if they think adults are hypocrites because right there on television, in print and on social media the smear campaign of epic proportions continues.

So is this the lesson on leadership we want to teach our kids or even each other? Is this the lesson young millennials or Gen Y's should hear as they enter the workforce and become a part of working society. Is it ok to teach people if you're losing power to degrade others to break them down emotionally and somehow that makes you feel better about yourself despite your qualifications or lack thereof?

Wow is all I can say. Though it may be par for the course to have good, solid conversations with our families and colleagues about what great leadership is, this campaign is not an example of what it should be.

​Photo: Pixaban/Maialisa

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