Walking The Talk

I have the phrase “do what I say, don’t do what I do” ringing in my mind right now. I just read today that the Obama administration has suffered a blow in nominees.

Former Senator Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination as US health and human services secretary after a controversy involving unpaid taxes. – source: BBC News

Geez, talk about a rough start. Already President Obama is coming into presidency during what is probably America’s worst economic crisis ever, and now he has the problem of finding people to fill crucial posts within the government. Yikes! This news came only hours after Nancy Killefer, nominated to oversea budget spending also withdrew for the same reasons.

Sad as I am by this news, I am also encouraged that it appears a new standard of integrity is being strived for by the American government. In an interview, Obama had this to say:

“I’ve got to own up to my mistake which is that ultimately it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules,” he said, according to a transcript.

“You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.”- source: BBC News

Tough calls to make but I applaud the effort to get things right and to lead by example. It also teaches us a very valuable lesson to sweat the small stuff isn’t it? Many people are probably shaking their heads right now as to how something as ’small’ as failure to pay taxes (whether intentionally or not) can invalidate all the good a person has done. It doesn’t seem fair does it? But to me, this clearly shows that people WANT leaders that have unshakeable integrity because it means they can trust them. It means that there’s value to what they say and do. Leaders lead by example. They don’t cut corners either. Contrary to what people often think, unfortunately going higher in leadership does not give rights to neglect the ’smaller, less important’ stuff. This is the painful truth the nominees have had to find out. I can hear my youth pastor saying, “See! I told you guys… always, always, ALWAYS have your taxes in order!” I hear you pastor, I hear you.

My friend Darian wrote a post about leadership and posed the question of which is more important: the appearances or leadership skills? You can read about it here: How Do You Define a Leader

My opinion is that skills alone don’t make the cut. Just like in this case, we aren’t choosing a leader based on skills alone but character as well. I think that is why at the end of the day, the way a potential leader lives his/her life (which includes appearances) factors in a lot on whether they should be a leader of the masses.

Reading news like this always makes me do some painful self examination. It’s like a wake up call to get your life in order, you know? It’s not just positional leadership that this applies either. I mean, if I were a parent, would I be able to lead by example so that I stray clear from ‘white lies’? If that were my desire I guess it would start here and now wouldn’t it? As always, I’m a work in progress.

Source article: BBC News – Obama suffers blow over nominees

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