As we approach this season of elections where we will choose people to lead us at all levels of government, it might do well for us to ponder what we’re looking for in a leader. Noble traits like honesty and integrity? Less tangible traits like compassion, respect and common decency? Or do we opt for so called strong traits like authority, decisiveness, toughness?
I suppose these are not all mutually exclusive. But finding such people to lead us can be a daunting task. Often, the list is whittled down to a few candidates before most of us have any say (a vote), and we have to pick from what remains. And then, if none of the choices look good, we vote with our bloc (or party) and hope for the best.
I believe this dilemma in politics has taken us to a point where, to a large extent, we are “like sheep without a shepherd.” For one thing, the simple idea of a “shepherd”, a compassionate leader, is considered either not desirable, or just not possible. Not desirable, because we, ourselves, want to be considered more independent, less reliant on having someone in government who “cares” for us. Who wants to be a sheep, in need of a shepherd? And then, not possible, because, well, isn’t “compassionate leader” sort of an oxymoron today? A leader with empathy for those whom he or she serves? We just don’t trust that anyone is able to fill that role anymore.
