Leadership: The Underrated Ingredient to a Healthy World

Lukas Moore

lm169715@ohio.edu

Although we live in relative peace as Americans, we seem to be at war every day in our political rhetoric. Venom is spewed out of our mouths and across our screens everyday about something. Gone are the days of measured political speak and respectful dialogue. Media members and companies have drawn lines in the sand, becoming a part of the political machine instead of reporting on it. All of us see this in our daily lives, mostly on Facebook feeds, but often at the dinner table or an office space. It seems we are more divided than ever before, well outside of when we were actually divided (circa 1863).

When discussing this topic with fellow classmates or family members I often hear one phrase in the conversation, "What is wrong with us?" I often said the same thing, usually thinking about all the people I know who have fallen into political lies and propaganda. However, the readings this week really made me wonder if we as a society are placing the blame in the right places.  Instead of blaming the followers in our world, I believe blame falls squarely on its leaders.

Julius Campbell speaking to Gary Bertier in "Remember the Titans" (source: heathmiller.org)

In the movie "Remember the Titans," which is about a white and black football team coming together in 1971, the character of Julius Campbell is a really talented black player and was being selfish on the defensive line and the white team captain Gary Bertier calls him out on it. Julius then explains that Bertier needs to yell at his white teammates more because they are purposefully not blocking for the black quarterback. Campbell walks up to Bertier and utters my favorite line in the film. "Attitude reflects leadership, captain" This drives Bertier to do something only a great leader could do, scream at his best friend for not blocking, later in the season Bertier even kicks his best friend off the team for the same action. This is a demonstration of true leadership, sacrificing something personal to better the group, making the right decision even if it is difficult, that is leadership.

I say all that to say this, although the world is full of billions of people only a few determine how we as a society act, communicate, and think. We live in a world that's missing leaders, true leaders. I'm not just referring to President Trump either, he is only one of many bad leaders throughout society. I'm referring to the producer of a Fox show reporting news from Breitbart, or the head football coach who allows an assistant to beat his wife. I'm referring to all the leaders in our world that we don't often consider leaders, the decision-makers, the bosses, the student organization Presidents. These are the people that can initiate change by embracing the true values of leadership, by pushing for what is right, not easy.

There are more tough decisions coming for editors in newsrooms all across the country. There are even tougher decisions coming for PR executives. If these leaders in our media world embrace what is right and channel their organizations in that direction then change will slowly come. Decisions will have to be made on what stories to run, or what ad campaign to push. Will we do what is best for business? Or will we follow our ethics and morals? That is the question both for media, and the world. 

Step up and do what's right, and the whole world will follow, that's leadership.