While many aspire to be President, few inspire when they become President.
This has been a serious problem for many years now. As we begin our new election cycle, I suggest that we try something different and make the effort to consider just what type of person we want to have lead and represent us, and use that knowledge as we begin to choose our next President.
What does an inspirational President look like? Let us consider our last three presidents, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joseph Biden.
Barack Obama was inspirational to his liberal urban base before he became president, less so during his presidency, even more so now after his presidency since he became a glittery rock star. Donald Trump was inspirational to his MAGA base before, during, and after his presidency, and remains their populist icon who can literally do no wrong. However, both men failed to inspire those who did not vote for them. Both were limited by their inability to rise above the partisanship of politics. Some would argue that Barack Obama made the attempt and was rebuffed, but clearly Donald Trump made no attempt and instead embraced the worst aspects of partisanship.
President Biden became President after 32 years of running because the other Democratic candidates were unelectable, because his lack of vision and purpose was able to be hidden behind Covid, and because Donald Trump’s form of strong-man anti-democratic ego-driven leadership became tiresome and disturbing. Even with all the stars aligning, Joseph Biden just barely became President, and has done nothing since to inspire anyone.
So, given our recent history of questionable choices, a fresh approach is clearly needed. What should we be looking for in a President? We have less than two years to figure this out. This is not a very long time for such an important choice, and none of the announced or likely-to-announce Presidential candidates are particularly inspiring, at least to me.
So, some of you might ask, what exactly am I looking for in our next President? I will tell you, whether you are interested or not. Someone has to begin this important conversation.
Seeing and Accepting Reality – Most Americans are forced to deal with the reality of their world every day and make practical choices in order to have a decent life. It is a peculiar trait of politicians to be able to ignore reality and instead perceive the world through the lens of partisan thinking and a myopic focus on being reelected. Unlike other politicians, however, our President must be able to see the state of the world and our country clearly and realistically in order to recognize both opportunity and danger, and consequently act in a timely and significant manner. Our next President cannot be an effective leader with a perception of reality that differs from that of the people and the rest of the world.
Having a Global Perspective – The great burden of dominance that has been borne by the United States since the end of World War II has been as much a curse as it has been a blessing. The sacrifices made in both wealth expended and lives lost far exceed the sacrifices made by any other country during this period. The world owes much to the United States for the past sixty-seven years of relative peace and prosperity, and for the improvements to the human condition that have occurred in many parts of the world.
Now much of the world flexes its muscles and demands to set its own direction. This is an inevitable and hopefully positive development, and is a direct outcome of the leadership of the United States.
However, the past is now in the past, and new relationships between countries will develop based upon current geopolitical conditions. Our next President must recognize that the United States is no longer in a preeminent position and can take nothing for granted. It is crucial that our next President be able to listen carefully to what the world is saying and respond in a manner that respects the sovereignty of other nations while advancing our own interests and perspectives.
Understanding Democracy – American democracy is based upon our Constitution, is preserved through the rule of law, and is dependent on the consent of the governed. Ultimately, it is the will of the people that dictates our laws based upon customs, traditions, history, and a shared sense of justice. Our next President must be aware of the will of the people at all times, to acknowledge public opinion whether in support or opposition, and to engage with the people in an honest and forthright manner to explain decisions and policies in order to obtain their agreement or at least their understanding.
In addition, our next President must accept that other democracies will from time to time wish to act on their own accord in a manner contrary our own inclinations, which is in of itself an expression of democracy. The world must have the freedom to consider alternative points of view.
Taking the Long View – Decisions made to address immediate concerns with short-term solutions are by definition temporary and inadequate, ultimately requiring a series of additional short-term solutions until a more substantive solution can be reached. While short-term solutions are unavoidable, a President must strive to always take the long view. Our next President must endeavor to make decisions and policies that are based upon thoughtful, logical analysis so that future administrations will choose to build upon them instead of rejecting them out of hand.
Acknowledging Limitations – The power of the Presidency is extraordinary. Commander-in-Chief of the most powerful military in the world, administrator of the largest economy in the world, leader of the oldest democracy in the world, host of the United Nations within our country’s borders – no leader has ever commanded so much power.
However, the United States is no longer the sole military superpower in the world. Our economy operates independently of the government with the exception of regulations and tax law. Our democracy is mired in partisanship and manipulated by special interests. Changing geopolitics restricts our options around the world.
There are very real limitations as to what the President and the United States can do. Our next President must be optimistic, but at the same time must also be careful not to overreach and overpromise.
Choosing Equality over Equity – The difference between equality and equity is very simple. Equality is intended to ensure that all groups of people will receive the same opportunities and the same treatment without regard to race, creed, religion, age, disability, sex, and sexual orientation. Equity is intended to compensate for past, present, and anticipated future injustices by providing select groups of people with advantageous opportunities and advantageous treatment.
Equality, by its very nature, is inclusive and affirmative. Equity, by its very nature, is divisive and punitive. Our next President must be prepared to acknowledge that inequities have and will occur, but must always govern on the basis of equality.
Being Strong and Decisive – A President must be strong and decisive in order to be an effective leader. This has nothing to do with policy, although poorly-conceived policies may very well limit the ability of a President to lead once the support of the people is lost. Being strong and decisive has much more to do with the character of a President. A strong leader does not have to command and demand the respect of the governed. A strong leader receives the freely given respect of the governed when the people choose to believe in, have confidence in, and put their trust in their leader.
A President who is unsure of the support of the people will appear weak and indecisive, and is more likely to compensate for this by making foolish decisions based upon impulse instead of reasoned deliberation. Ultimately, the strength of our next President will be derived from the support of the people, but it will have to be earned.
Willing to Change Direction – The willingness to acknowledge failure and do something different is not something that most politicians ever exhibit, at least not publicly. However, a President must be prepared to change course when a policy or decision or law does not accomplish its original intent, or as often happens, makes things worse.
Acknowledging failure is a sign of emotional intelligence, and when done in a direct and decisive manner is both admirable and reassuring. Our next President must always endeavor to do what benefits the people even if it means risking personal embarrassment and political criticism.
Respecting Individual Freedoms – In a democracy such as ours, laws and regulations are intended to provide a balance between individual freedoms and the common good. There is a tendency for governments to exert excessive control over some individual freedoms, and to exert inadequate control over others. This is because people in government are often influenced by personal bias, religious beliefs, financial incentives, and political considerations, resulting in decisions that are many times not in the best interests of either the people or the common good.
Our next President must be able to rise above these influences, and must always choose to give preference to our individual freedoms whenever possible in the course of protecting the common good.
Seeking Opposing Points of View – It is a given that a President must have a staff and a cabinet that supports and is willing to carry out the President’s plan of action. However, there is a great likelihood that some of what a President intends to do is either inadvisable or is very likely to fail. In addition, it is often the case that the best course of action is unclear and may have unforeseen consequences.
In order to have the best chance of success, a President must not rely solely on the opinions of close advisors on their staff and members of their own political party in determining a course of action. Those who disagree with the President may be the ones who are right, and our next President should actively seek out opposing points of view for this reason.
Communicating Directly and Honestly – A President must have the trust of the people in order to have an effective presidency. The best way to obtain this trust is to speak to the people directly and honestly, and with great frequency. Every program, every law, and every policy must have its intended purpose and expected result explained clearly and, except for reasons of national security, with a significant amount of detail.
A President must be willing and able to justify to the people what is being done on their behalf. The American people will lose trust and respect for a President who is perceived as being less than forthright, misleading, and/or secretive, and who refuses to provide either explanation or justification for their actions. Our next President cannot lead from the shadows.
Practicing Compassion and Empathy – A President must care deeply for the American people. When there is great accomplishment, a President must be the first to pay tribute. When there is great tragedy, a President must be the first to offer condolences. Both tribute and condolence must be heartfelt, personal and public, without even a hint of politicization.
A President must have empathy for those of us who are poor, disabled, infirm, old, alone, homeless, or hungry. A President must see those who feel unseen and make every effort to make them feel welcome and appreciated. At times a President must be a warrior, but other times a President must be a shepherd. Our next President must be prepared to excel in both roles.
Encouraging Vigilance and Preparedness – A President’s first priority is to protect the country and the American people from enemies both foreign and domestic. We have had the good fortune to be able to take our safety and security for granted for decades, but that time has passed. A President cannot be complacent in the face of threats, but must prepare for them proactively and with the expectation that the worst-case scenario will occur.
Our next President must encourage vigilance at our borders, within our cities, and everywhere throughout the world so that threats to our freedoms can be recognized and all necessary action taken to prevent the worst-case scenario from happening.
Avoiding Partisanship – In order to be an effective leader, a President must represent the interests of all the people. When a President follows the politically expedient partisan approach to governing, it ensures that the interests of half the people in the country will not receive proper consideration.
Partisanship has had an extraordinarily divisive and weakening effect on our country. It has resulted in a damaging cycle of retribution and gross disrespect as political power has moved back and forth from one political party to the other. To end this cycle, our next President must avoid partisanship at all costs and always insist on the active involvement of the minority party in all matters of governance.
Exhibiting a Sense of Humor – Having a sense of humor is a sign of emotional balance, situational awareness, and self-confidence. When used judicially, a sense of humor can ease tensions, provide perspective, and establish a human connection. In general, a President with a sense of humor becomes more likeable and approachable, particularly if the humor comes from their own experiences.
An exception to this is a President whose humor comes at the expense of others. While this type of humor can serve to make a point, it can also be seen as cruel and demeaning, particularly if such humor is used repeatedly and publicly. Our next President must use such humor skillfully, like a rapier, not a cudgel.
Opposing Corruptive Influences – The use of a political office or political appointment to enrich oneself at the expense of the public good is an unfortunate yet widespread practice. In other countries, politicians receive their compensation, whether it be by theft or bribe, either directly or through an intermediary. In this country, politicians receive their compensation as dark money through PACs, think tanks, and foundations, with the money coming from foreign governments, corporate entities, and labor unions.
While it may be nearly impossible for a politician to be so principled as to never let corruptive influences affect their actions, we should never find this to be acceptable. Our next President must always oppose corruptive influences and must always act in the public good.
Being Principled, Moral and Ethical – The character of a person determines their effectiveness as a leader. A person who is driven to achieve greatness and is willing to embrace corruption, eliminate rivals, ignore the suffering of others, and act with cruel self-ambition may very well become a leader, but can only lead through intimidation, coercion, and fear.
A democracy such as ours will never choose such a leader, but we see this type of leader in totalitarian regimes throughout the world. A President must be prepared to oppose such leaders through strength of character and with the full and unwavering support of the country. Our next President must be principled, moral, and ethical, and always speak with the support and trust of the people, even in the darkest of times.
Leading by Example – Consistency of words spoken with actions then taken cannot be overstated in its importance. The most beautiful of promises turns into the ugliest of lies very quickly when broken. Relationships can be damaged irreparably by such betrayals. Words spoken by a President are important, but subsequent action is more substantive and revealing of true intentions.
This is why a President must understand that every word they speak will be studied for its meaning and intention, but the actions of their administration and, by extension, those of the country will speak louder than any spoken word. The actions we take as a country become the example we set as a nation. Our next President must understand that our standing in the world as a country and as a people is based upon what we do, not upon the words we speak.
Embracing Faith – A President who professes no faith other than in themselves cannot truly understand the spiritual motivations of the three-quarters of the people of the world who profess to have faith. All faiths serve to guide those who believe to live in peace with others, to accept the frailties and limitations of human life, to appreciate family and community, and to value a life that includes service to others.
Such a common bond that crosses the borders between countries and peoples offers a basis for a President to reach out to the minds, hearts, and souls of everyone. Our next President must have the wisdom to embrace this gift as they endeavor to lead the country.
There you have it. Nineteen presidential character traits that define a leader.
As I review this list of character traits, it strikes me that this is a great deal to expect from one person. And yet, why should we not expect the best in our leaders, particularly in our President?
It would be easy to dismiss this list as naïve and simplistic wishful thinking. However, we should all take the time to think about the importance of character in those who would lead us. All too often, we settle for individuals who are motivated by their own ambitions for power and profit.
We listen to candidates who mislead with flowery phrases and strongly-spoken rhetoric, yet fail to consider their underlying nature. Even after they reveal who they are once they achieve office, we choose to overlook their failings as if their failings did not matter, and then we reelect them again and again.
What does all this say about our own character? How many of these profoundly important character traits can we honestly say that we ourselves possess? The disappointment in our political institutions that we express in opinion poll after opinion poll – did we not elect these people to represent us? I for one think that it is time for us to hold ourselves to this higher standard.
There is no more important position in the world right now than the President of the United States. The world is experiencing unsettled times and it is becoming increasingly difficult to preserve a peaceful world order. How this country and our allies respond to the various geo-political and environmental threats that we now face will determine to what extent chaos and human suffering spreads throughout the world.
Our next President must be prepared to lead us through these uncertain times, to advocate for peace and cooperation, to stand resolute in the face of threats and intimidation, and to inspire other nations to reject the proposed new world order that encourages aggression and imperialistic control at the expense of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
And as for the rest of us? We must begin to be a people worthy of our own country.