Failed Leadership

First of all I am not a Republican or Democrat. In fact I am a Canadian and not entirely familiar with how the American political election system works, so forgive me if this opinion piece lacks a real understanding of a very complicated and long nomination process.

In the past I really have not taken much interest in what is happening politically in the United States. Yet, this election year I have been following the American election campaign closely. To learn more I watched with interest last week the latest reality television show. No not Survivor or the Amazing Race. But I watched in fascination the Republican Convention. A Convention that presented one after another of what I will call “reality” characters supporting perhaps the greatest one of them all Donald Trump, The Apprentice. What an apt name for the newly nominated Republican candidate.

Trump is a reality star and it’s a scary thought that he could actually be the real “Apprentice” if elected as President. Apparently, it seems that many Americans want someone who is a beginner, a novice, and a trainee to take over the most powerful office in the world.

For me Trump’s nomination is a sad statement for the Republican Party that bought Trump’s performance and gave him a mandate to potentially be the President. I am sure that there were many influential leaders within the party that did not want to see Trump be nominated. And I find it hard to understand why some of the Republican leaders would condone the divisiveness and denigrating comments that Trump exhibited throughout the campaign. Why did they not confront Trump and ask him to tone his disturbing rhetoric down? The silence emanating from these leaders allowed Trump to continue to fill his speeches with hateful comments right up to his acceptance speech last week. In my opinion, it was a failure of the party leadership and of their leadership as leaders to allow Trump’s disturbing rhetoric to continue.

The leadership did not, “Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small (Lao Tzu). Seemingly the experienced and influential leaders of the party did not speak up forcefully at the beginning of the campaign. As the campaign moved on to the convention it appeared that there really was nothing more that could be done and it seemed if these leaders were muzzled for the sake of Party unity. Some of these leaders disappointedly remain silent.

In the many books and articles that I have read about leadership some common key themes arise. The most effective leaders are ones who are authentic and courageous. They stand up for their values, principles and stick to their non-negotiable beliefs. They consistently demonstrate their integrity where it, “is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them”(Brene Brown).

It seemed to me that the Republican leadership botched a chance early in the campaign to stand up and demonstrate their integrity and prevent what has happened. Now, with Trump winning the nomination it is too late. They failed to stop the Trump train from leaving the station. Now, many citizens in the United States, Canada and around the world may end up suffering with the consequences of a failure of leadership if Trump is elected in November. In my opinion, those leaders should be held accountable and, “Be Fired.”