Notes on the Election in the Centenary Year,  April  2016,  in the Republic of Ireland

Watching the Dance of the Politicians brought to mind a few lines from Measure for Measure. ..."Man, proud man,

dressed in a little brief authority, 

most ignorant of what he is most assured, 

his glassy essence, like an angry ape, plays such fantastic tricks before the high heavens,

 as makes the angels weep."

Water, water everywhere.

It is a sorry sight....arguing about water charges, no less. Hundreds waiting on corridors in hospitals for admission.- and they are the lucky ones. Thousands on waiting lists...yes, folks, thousands and they argue about water charges. Thousands of our young and not so young people forced to emigrate to the US., Canada, Australia and UK. and they talk about water charges.

Where are the Leaders?

Where is the vision? Where is the courage? Where is the leadership? Where is the honesty?

Our political philosophers are now inspired to tell us that the, "People have spoken". The people in their wisdom, supporters of Fianna Fail. Fine Gael, Sinn Fein, Labour, Greens and a handful of independents (representing themselves), they now suggest, deliberately sat down before the election and decided they would vote in a manner that would be interpreted as looking for a Coalition. Did anybody suggest that proposition to the politicians and their canvassers at the door before the election?. Did any of the media pundits put it to the candidates before the election?

The correct thing to do

Given the result it might have been the correct thing to do in the circumstances and it would have paid a significant honour in very patriotic and practical terms to those who sacrificed so much in 1916 but our current crop of wannabees do not apparently possess that measure of moral fibre, courage and leadership that is the mark of good statesmen. Neither, would it appear that they possess any desire to sacrifice anything, not even their petty egos, in the interests of the country and the common good.

A Terrible Beauty

When it was written that, "A Terrible Beauty is Born",  it would seem it was not the Rising they were referring to but the barren nature of the social, political and economic consequences.

It is strange that in quoting the opening words of the Proclamation,, in this year of celebration, so many have just referred to the significance of the first words, "Irish Men and Irish Women" and neglect to include the words immediately following..."In the name of God and of the dead generations"....Somehow, those words are not deemed to be significant.

Police Response to Terrorism

Evaluation of Readiness 

The recent and devastating attacks in Paris and elsewhere, imposes an urgent examination  and evaluation of the capacity and readiness of police organizations to efficiently and effectively respond in a manner that prevents or minimizes incidents of death and injury and restores a sense of protection and safety to citizens as quickly as possible. 

This is indeed a tall order but one that has to be realistically placed at the top of security planning and  budgetary planning to ensure that,  however complex and costly it is to train and equip the police to meet this challenge, the plan will not fall short because of inadequate resources.

What Extra Resources are Deployed? 

It is just a bit too easy to go for the photo-shoot and announce that police services are receiving extra specialist training without taking account that  many services are stretched to cope with existing existing operational responsibilities.  What invariably happens when new and unexpected demands are made the "extra" resources are drawn from existing strengths.

"Only as Much Force as is Necessary."

Police are facing enormous and, in many countries, unprecedented acts of savagery and brutality. Police response, in most democratic and developed countries, is conditioned around considerations where professional, public and judicial expectations are framed around  legal  the principle, "Only as much force as is necessary may be exercised to accomplish control and constrain assailants." 

Police Shootings

We have witnessed the outcry of the public and the media coverage of instances where individuals have been shot by police officers responding to some incidents  where, on examination, it transpires that the injured or deceased victim was unarmed or posed no threat to the police officer. In some high-lighted incidents, video recordings show the suspect or victim running away from the officer when the officer opens fire, with lethal consequences. 

Threat to Life

Some Police Services insist that there is absolutely no justification to shoot at a suspect or culprit if they are running away and fleeing the scene. The justification for shooting in the first instance lies in the fact that the officer believed his or her own life, or the life of someone he was protecting was in imminent danger and that he feared for his life or the life of the person he was protecting. Where the culprit is fleeing, then, obviously, the imminent threat has passed, temporarily, at least and therefore the justification for shooting the culprit has passed. Obviously, there are many other jurisdictions where , it appears that shooting at a person fleeing the scene is considered to be justified or otherwise condoned and, apparently, sanctioned, particularly if the perpetrator is deemed by the police officer to have committed a felony. 

Response to Terror

Today, there is a perceived international threat to security and European Government Representatives are meeting with a view to determining how best the threat and the preparedness to prevent and respond to them is met.

Incognito
Already, we see in the physical presence of some police and military responses, the officers and soldiers are disguised - their faces are covered and in some instances, police appear without visible identification of rank or number. There is, obviously, a reasonable measure to take to protect those officers involved from reprisal. But it is a dramatic change and a challenge to the notions of increasing demands of transparency and accountability that have exercised. While these steps might be considered absolutely necessary they should not be introduced arbitrarily and, certainly ought not be introduced to permit or tolerate behaviour or practices that will not brought to account.  

New Approach to Training 

Recent media coverage of revised tactical training of British Police Officers, in the light of the recent terrorist attacks, apparently directs that  officers responding will not be distracted by the wounded victims of such attacks, even if they are fallen colleagues and maintain the primary objective of neutralizing the terrorists. Again, one can readily see and understand the strategic logic and importance of this approach.  The evidence in Paris shows there was just intent on slaughter as many as possible and, hence, the absolute urgency of a response that would have immediate effect to minimize further loss of life.  But it is a change. It is a radical change for police officers in particular whose normal response is to take immediate steps to protect life and property, but in situations where there has been killing and hostage taking, to take control of the scene and set hostage negotiations train. Again, obviously, the perpetrators of the recent attacks demonstrated no interest in negotiations of any sort and came with intent to kill and maim.

All is Changed...Changed Utterly  

It is, as pointed out, a change, especially for police officers. Military personnel are trained differently to cope with different situations. Now, we are faced with training police officers to respond in a similar manner to their military counterparts. In Western Democracies this is a sea change.  We are aware of experiences where military were deployed to address situations of political and social unrest, in Northern Ireland, for example and in other situations in Africa in recent years, in the Ukraine, more recently and, it can be said, in each situation with disastrous consequences. We know that does not work. However, now, we are faced with new forms of terror that require new forms of response. Police officers will go into these situations to defend and protect the rest of us. We need to build trust and confidence in those called to respond on our behalf. They do not need to feel that some, "Watch Dog" will be ready to pounce and investigate alleged wrong-doing or excessive use of force, when they are, bona-fide, endeavouring to accomplish what we expect of them.  We need to communicate to them and to all concerned, that while maintaining that the rule of law predominates, we imbue them with the confidence that where they act in good faith in carrying out their duties, they will maintain the respect and support of their governments and communities. Those who act outside the law in their response lose their entitlement entitlement to our support, respect and protection. 

It is obvious, of course, but important to state, police officers required to prepare for and confront such terrifically difficult and dangerous situations need to know their country and community and state is fully supportive of them and will stand by them. 

Posted by Michael Ringrose       

Location: Ireland

Day-to-Day Leadership

There is a myriad of theories and concepts on the subject of leadership and on what are the attributes, attitudes and styles that enable us to identify the various characteristics of good leaders. Good leaders are, of course, needed in all walks of life and we take for granted that nature will provide a sufficient supply to meet the demands in the world of sport, politics, economics, and business, the spiritual and social world.

Expectations of Leaders

We have certain expectations of leaders. We need them to "Be there" for us when
circumstances demand and to reassure us that whatever the situation or problem, they would instinctively know how to address and resolve it. Otherwise, we take their presence for granted and expect they will not unnecessarily intrude unless and until circumstances requiring "A Leader" is demanded.

But what about when they are present? What do we expect of them and from them and perhaps, equally interesting, what do they expect of themselves? What a leader says in addressing our concerns ought to be important. Sometimes it is. Sometimes it falls short of our expectation.

We expect a leader will express:
a sense of comprehension about the issue;
a real concern to ascertain the facts of the situation if not already aware of them;
a clear methodology for ascertaining the facts;
a readiness to listen to those who can contribute to an understanding of the situation;
a capacity to readily grasp and understand the complexity of situations;
a capacity to express guidance or direction in a clear, lucid, succinct and coherent manner;
A capacity to demonstrate empathy in given circumstances would add considerable value where appropriate.

Perceptions

Experience in the business or political world will show evidence of each of those traits and more. Yet our assessments and judgments of leaders can be very unforgiving. We see them as too distant, haughty, conceited, arrogant, impersonal, incoherent, inarticulate and inept. We also, fortunately see many excellent examples of the contrary. We hear powerfully stimulating and riveting speeches and commentaries from political and business figures that are encouraging and inspiring and we are appreciative of how they build confidence in us to continue with our particular endeavors, projects, missions and enterprises.

Interpretations of the "Unspoken word"

Do we notice what is not said? How important is it when we are anticipating some words of comfort, consolation, condolence or, perhaps, encouragement, recognition or acknowledgement of an achievement or effort (even if the mission was not accomplished,) and the Leader say nothing? What is unsaid by those in leadership roles can be just as important and, on occasions more so, than what is said. What is frequently missed is the weight that the listener places on what is said or unsaid. The listener in a subordinate role to the leader rarely hears an individual "Boss", be it Jane or Joe, say anything when it comes to official communication. What they hear is “The Boss” or, "The Leader, if you prefer. Leaders need to be conscious and very mindful of that fact. They may feel that they are heard and understood by their staff as they would be by a friend or colleague on the golf course or in a restaurant but the difference in the relationship distorts how we hear things from those who occupy a position of leadership or authority over us.

There are subtle, invisible lines drawn that even though an encounter or meeting has moved off-site to neutral ground, the perception of the authority lines has not been neutralized. Hence, the importance and necessity to retain even in informal settings, a sense of propriety about how one might express oneself . It is not Jane or Joe who will be heard...it will be the "authority figure".

If some action has been accomplished satisfactorily and the participants feel they have measured up to the occasion, they will, perhaps, anticipate and certainly appreciate a word of recognition and praise. They will often quote and cite this acknowledgement to their family, friends, work colleagues and indeed, when subsequently going for a promotion or retiring. It is a very important and significant event in their relationship with their leaders and in their work-life. When there is nothing said in such circumstances, the significance does not diminish and depending on the circumstances, can increase, perhaps disproportionately and similarly be relayed to work-colleagues, friends, family just as the positive recognition was transmitted.

Sometimes those in leadership roles can short-sighted when it comes to recognizing the long-term rewards and benefits of taking the time to pay attention to the "Small stuff". Sometimes, individuals feel it is too trivial for their attention and that they have more important matters to address. Some things are. It is very important to take the time to differentiate and be in a position to tell the difference. It can be the difference between being, “A Leader”, “A Good Leader"” and “A Great Leader”


Michael Ringrose

Providing Solutions for Small Business Owners

Self-Belief and Self reliance Essential for Leaders

What is it that instills self-belief? It can certainly be nurtured and developed by taking the time to identify the positive things that have happened to us as individuals and helped to shape our lives.

There are numerous instances of individuals emerging from insignificance one might say and taking control and command of situations in their own lives and in all parts of the globe. No high ranking status to rely on; no badges, uniform nor medals to add credibility but their actions in the face of life-threatening disaster, display courage, commitment, vision and leadership. Any observer looking and reading of the actions of individals on TV or media, can witness such emergence of individual qualities of leadership that were not previously associated with the persons concerned. Many of us have those experiences in small or large measure but in many instances such occasions are forgotten and parked away in distant memories. Sometimes, perhaps oftentimes, we did not see them as meriting such significance in themselves. We just simply responded to whatever challenge presented itself at the time and did the best we could. However, that "best" might very well have been "great". Think of the accomplishments, the achievements, the successes.


A essay on Self-Reliance, written by Emerson in the early 1800's, identifies, in my view, real core values that shape the personas and dispositions of individuals that allow individuals to identify their own strengths and helps them cope with perceived weaknesses. It also fortifies individuals and permits them to have confidence in demonstrating their leadership characteristics and qualities.

"There is a time in every man's education when he arrives at the conviction that envy is ignorance; that imitation is suicide; that he must take himself for better for worse as his portion; that though the wide universe is full of good, no kernal of nourishing corn can come to him but through his toil bestowed on that plot of ground which is given to him to till. The power which resides in him is new in nature, and none but he knows what that is which he can do, nor does he know until he has tried. Not for nothing one face, one character, one fact, makes much impressiion on him and another none. This sculpture in the memory is not without pre-established harmony. The eye was placed where one ray should fall, that it might testify of that particular ray. We but half express ourselves and are ashamed of that divine idea which each of us represents.". (The Portable Emerson- Revised Edition, Carl Bode in collaboration with Malcolm Cowley (1981)


Michael D. Ringrose
www.eLeadershipGuide.com

Leadership: Harvard Business Review- 6 Questions to Help You Build Trust on Your Team#links

Leadership: Harvard Business Review- 6 Questions to Help You Build Trust on Your Team#links

God Is Watching Us

A short reflection on the subject of awareness of ourselves, our attributes and characteristics and how we can use the moment to add value to our actions to the benefit of ourselves and others. It is about being aware of who we are and accepting responsibility for all of our actions.
It was just a thought, really. I often hear the questions put, “Why does God allow this to happen. If there is a God there, how could He, permit such to occur?”

Decision Makers drink tea or coffee

There is an assumption that there is a God “there” and although I do not expect everyone reading this to agree, I need to put my own cards on the table and affirm my belief that He or She does exist for me.
Tragic events happen to individuals, to families to nations. Are they the acts of God or are they the consequence of human actions or inaction. Ultimately, decision makers, like the rest of us, eat corn-flakes or whole-grain something or other for breakfast. They drink tea or coffee; they have snacks, they have a favourite football or cricket or base-ball team. They are individual human beings. They are not collective clones although their thinking might reflect that from time to time. They are fathers, sons, daughters, husbands, partners. They are individuals. They, like you and I must accept responsibility for their actions and in-actions.

I am at that stage of life where I have been through many different experiences. Happily, most of them were and are very good. My childhood experiences were wholesome and healthy. A brother of mine, younger but wiser than I, says, “When we were young, we had nothing and thought we had everything. Now, they have everything and they think they have nothing.” In a very simplified and accurate way, he sums up our childhood. We were a working-class family, hardworking father and devoted mother; brought-up to believe in sharing, respect for our parents and elders generally and in honesty and integrity in all that we would undertake.

Simple Times

It was a simple lifestyle, devoid of trappings of the rich or the afflictions and deprivations of the poor. We were taught our prayers, taught about charity and kindness and taught about discipline and obedience. We were, I expect, also taught about enjoyment and happiness and we exercised our experience of both without constraint. We were taught to respect the elderly, of which there appeared to be many, since we were just young children. We addressed our seniors as Mister, Missus, Mam or Sir. There was no undue deference in doing that. It was just being polite. We would offer a seat in the bus to an elderly man or woman and would notice if no other young person showed whether they had “manners” or not.

Disposition Becomes a Habit

It is said, “Disposition becomes a habit, just as a boy becomes a man.” Well, the characteristics developed during our childhood years were certainly no burden in adult life. The values instilled in us remain as unseen guiding hands in the assessment and analysis of the challenges and demands of the adult world. That is not to suggest that, although aware of the “right” or “wrong” of any proposed action, one always took the right course. Far from it. Although we always find some justification for whatever course we take, it does not blind us to the searching questions that pop into our conscious and sub-conscious minds and with the wisdom of hind-sight in particular, we soberly ask ourselves, “What were we thinking of?”


Where is God in all of this? Simply answered, I believe He is at heart of it. Aware of His universal presence and aware that all things are connected, we are conscious that all that we do is a manifestation of who we are in all the dimensions of our lives. We are where we are supposed to be at any given point in time. How we deal with the present, at whereever we are at that point, is how we deal with life. We sometimes hide from that fact and say, for example, “I was not myself when I did such an act”. “That is not like me”, or some such expression of denial. But it is me. It is definitely not somebody else. It is me. That applies to your many successes and achievements and acts of gallantry as much as it does to those acts that we are, perhaps ashamed of or in denial.

Tempus Fugit

We live our lives at a speed of sixty seconds per minute. That is the speed at which it passes. That is also the only time in our lives that we can actually exercise any control over our lives. It is during those sixty seconds, those precious, unique, unrepeatable moments, that we can choose to do something, say something, or do and say nothing. It is during that time we choose and decide events. We do it all the time. By no doing anything or saying anything during that time, we may very well be engaging in “non-decisions.” A "non-decision” can be, in effect, a decision not to change or alter a policy or position.

Awareness

Awareness of the importance of the sixty seconds of our time is crucially important to living our lives to full potential. Awareness of our individual importance as human beings, free-thinking human beings, is exercised during those sixty seconds. Once the second has passed, we cannot recover it. We have no “Action Replay” button. We can do something later, maybe even better, but we cannot make up for the time we decided to do nothing and missed the opportunity to do something of importance.

It is important, I believe, to remember, God is not going to do for us things that we can do for ourselves. Hence the importance of being aware of what we can do for ourselves and for others, when we can do it or ought to do it and then deciding to do whatever it is. It is also said, “Hell is full of good intentions”. Well, we can create our own “hell” in this life. Opening our minds and hearts to the possibilities of helping others to experience a better place in this life is, perhaps, the most rewarding thing any one of us can do, once we choose to do something about it.

Experience the Moment

“God is watching us” comes from the song, “From a Distance”, beautifully rendered by Bett Midler. Let us resolve to look at what is around us. Experience the moment. Stretch out the hand of friendship to someone who needs it.whether that person is in our own immediate family, community or neighbourhood or much further afield. There is no shortage of opportunities. The power is in your hands. Carpe Diem.

Leadership And It's Importance In The Business World And Your Success

By Maggie Yue

Leadership

In our competitive world today, leadership skills are crucial to any successful business. What is leadership? Leadership is commonly used to refer to activities such as conducting, guiding, or directing people; initiating activity. However, leadership is also used to refer to someone who is a leader. How can leadership be applied in so many ways and what constitutes a leader in all of these situations? The answer is contained in the realization that perhaps the most fundamental characteristic of leadership, and therefore of leaders, is personal leadership.
What is personal leadership? It is the ability to lead others and yourself in the direction you want your life to take. The ability to define what you want out of life and how you are going to get there is the first step in developing leadership. It is only the beginning because personal leadership means “leading”, “directing”, and “taking action”. It means living each day to the fullest. It means developing goals that you want so badly that you live each day with enthusiastic ardor for your goals, yourself, and all who are close to you. Knowing what you want out of life; knowing what success is to you; knowing what your goals are; knowing that you are going to achieve those goals regardless of what other people think, say, or do, is the essence of personal leadership.
Personal leadership also means “accountability”. It means that you have decided to use the talents that are unique to you and will develop them further to reach your goals. It means that you realize that you have the potential to develop further. It means that you have determined the course of your destiny—you are the master of your life.
The good news is that you do not have to develop this skill alone. There are professionals out there that will guide you through this process so you can be as successful as you have dreamed. A business coach will give you the accountability needed and the motivation needed to succeed. You can literally have anything you want in your life so why not start today?
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maggie_Yue http://EzineArticles.com/?Leadership-And-Its-Importance-In-The-Business-World-And-Your-Success&id=558096

Do You Wish to Lead the World or Just the American People?

Do You Wish to Lead the World or Just the American People?
By: Michael D. Ringrose


When we think about Leaders, we generally tend to think about those who grace or occupy the world stage. Historically, Lincoln, Washington, Ghandi, Martin Luther King, Churchill, Stalin, Nelson Mandela come to mind but there are many. Some political, some religious, some social, some in the world of sports and in the world of literature, music and art.

There are those who present themselves to the public to be chosen to lead. At present, we have, perhaps the world's best example of that process being acted out on the American Stage. America is presented with choice of future President. Will it be Hillary Clnton, JohnMcCain, Barak Obhama or Mike Huckabee who will be the benificiary of their preferences. It is an enormously onerous duty and responsibility they bear in making this choice because, of course, it effects not only the United States but it will also impact significantly on the rest of the world.

The "rest of the world", does not have a vote in the process. One might ask, if the person selected for the position of President of the United States, will be cast in the role of Leader of the Free World, then perhaps consideration ought to be given, at some future date, to allow those countries outside of the United States, who will, or maybe, affected by the result of the election, some way of exercising or expressing their preferences in the choice of President.

Of course, one can anticipate the contrary arguement. Why should countries or persons outside the jurisdiction of the United States or any other sovereign state, have the right to exerise a vote in internal elections? In perhaps all other countries, the Prime Ministers or Presidents do not normally purport to have a right to dictate how other countries behave. Such has been the position with the U S, and I hastely add, often at the behest of countries in Europe and elsewhere. Many countries have, in time of war or econimic crisis, requested or imposed on the US to come to the rescue.

Whatever the reasons, we are faced with a defacto recognition of its perceived status. In those circumstances, what are the characteristics now being sought in the candidates? What are the attributes that shape and inform those candidates? Leaving aside the fact that each and all of them will play to the particular audiences they meet in their thousands as they plead for support, what are the real values that drive and sustain them as persons? Where and how do they display their courage and how is it measured? How is their commitment to honesty portrayed? Outside of claiming to the omniscient in all things political, how do they demonstrate their capacity to be truly understanding of the human condition and offer wise counsel in dealing with complex situations.

Leaving aside the wonderful rhetoric and lyricism of the speechwriters, where is the demonstration and evidence of capacity to deal only with truth?

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So You Want To Be A Leader?

So you want to be a leader. What is stopping you?. What is it about leadership that attracts you. Are you influenced by the public profiles of those who grace the world stage, in the fields of politics, economics, religion? Are you more attracted by those who prove their physical prowess? Famous athletes, of one kind or another? Runners, boxers, basket-ball champions, baseball heroes, tennis champions, auto racing drivers? Are they leaders?

Often, it seems the title is loosely attached to individuals who are identified as the best in their particular field. Sometimes, those individuals are not capable of offering leadership to others. They are "loners", consumed in the pursuit of their own ambition. Sometimes picked and selected to posts requiring demonstrable leadership skills, experience and qualifications solely on the basis that they possess public profiles as being on top of their particular league. Delving deeper into their attributes and one may find a dearth of the necessary ingredients that enable and encourage others to follow.


So what is it that makes a difference? What is it that makes a leader? Are leaders born? Can they be shaped, crafted, formed and honed? Does this formation need to be external? Can one make oneself a leader or develop the necessary skills to allow one to grow into leadership.
Is the drive to become a leader influenced by intrinsically good values, service of others, community, nation or is it driven by the desire or need to dominate, control, coerce?


Can we learn from the profiles and characteristics of world leaders? To what extent is the profile we see and hear on TV and radio, a managed, artificial product, occasionally fractured with glimpses of the human being behind the public face? World leaders include Ghandi, Hitler, Tito, Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, Clinton, Lincoln, Putin, Bush, Senator Mitchell, Jesus Christ, and a disparate selection of people who are described as either terrorist or hero and patriot, depending on what side of the value system one is viewing from.


So where is the compass that guides your journey to becoming a leader? Reflecting on the question adds its own value to the question. What guides us as individuals essentially are the values that we hold most precious in our lives. They vary from person to person and from community to community and are absorbed at various levels, as we progress on our development from children to adulthood. Some of those values are held in highest esteem when we are young, immature and have not sufficient understanding and maturity to take personal ownership of them. Others become more internalised as we grow through life and the choices we make assist in enshrining certain values deep into our personas. Whether that is due to conditioning or conscious selection is dependant on the opportunities we met or were deprived of along the way to develop a personal critical capacity that enables a distancing from our subjective judgements.


Opportunity and choice are part of the equasion that need to be factored in, coupled with the inate sense of importance one attaches to our value system. Do we wish to share it or coerce others to absorbe it? Is leadership imposed on us or do we subconsciously need to be lead? If we desire to be leaders, is that pushed by choice or obligation to others? Is it service or is it power?

Additional Resources
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Leadership

Lead or Be Led invites contributions from all those who share an interest in identifying the particular qualities, attributes, knowledge, experience and skills that inform and shape the characteristics that are evident and admired in good Leaders.

Those involved in studying the diverse and varied components that are manifest in the exercise of leadership, those involved in training and forming leaders, those who practice in leadership positions, in public or private sector, those who aspire to be leaders and those who wish to develop their competencies, knowledge and skills, all are welcome to join us in our journey of exploration and share in its findings.

Leadership- Identifying the Leader in You

Identifying the Leader in You

Leaders have many attributes, many qualities, many styles and many faces. They can be presented in a formal way,
easily enough identified, as for example, military leadership. Distinctive uniforms separate the soldier from the masses and within that category, badges, stripes, stars, braids, ribbons, ranks and titles, all assist in placing the individual at his or her appropriate place within the organisation.

In civilian life, other symbols are utilized to signal the importance and status of individual leaders within our societies and there are a multiplicity of agencies, PR professionals, State Agencies, Event Managers, etc., whose function in life, it appears, is to enable others to identify and build images of themselves and then use mechanisms to portray those images to appropriate audiences.

These strategies are used in order to add weight and importance to the presence of the individual leaders and also as influencers in communicating messages from leaders to their supporters and followers and also, to attract more support in advancing whatever is the campaign or mission.

We all succumb to these strategies and subliminally absorb them, from television programmes, newspapers, magazines, promotion events and rarely allow ourselves the time to analyse or even question the substance of the message propagated by such “leaders”.

When it is time to elect a government, we do the same. When candidates present themselves, seeking our vote to elect them into high office, we readily accept the categorisation of policy. In the US we have Republican or Democrat; in Europe, divisions tend to be more diversified, with candidates coming from Labour Movements, Liberal or Conservative, Socialist, Communist, Democratic of Fascist camps of one kind or another. In other countries, of course, choice is not offered and is not an option. Winston Churchill is credited as saying; democracy is a dreadful process until you try the alternative.

Where do such leaders get their power? Excepting countries where there is no choice and, indeed even there, there is choice but the subject of another article) they derive their power from the people. Who are the people? Most of “the people” are content to exercise their 60 seconds of democracy, the time it takes to cast your vote, once every 3, 4 or five years. In casting that vote we identify the leaders we wish to put in place to rule us and our lives and expectations over the next number of years.

The real leaders are the individuals who choose the leaders but we do not permit ourselves to create and establish that identity in the process. We rather go through it as a duty and allow those seeking our support to present as if we have no choice but to give it to them and they, by and large, accept it as of right.

Individual people, all of whom collectively constitute community, society, country, possess a range of power and influence in our lives. No matter where we are and what our status we are in control of our own lives. The exercise of choice, having due regard to the rights and entitlements of others, is the key to our success and happiness. It is the exercise of our authority over our lives. It can be, judiciously utilised, be a key influencer, for the better, over the lives of others. Use it, use it wisely and use it well.

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