#SoManyFeelings
sgarcia@theguidon.com
As common as the word leadership is, I find it hard to define. As a child, I have always felt like it was only present when the need to elect a homeroom officer would arise. During that period, the little interest I have for it disappears.
In an episode of the animated show Adventure Time entitled “Goliad,” the titular character—who was created out of a princess’s desire to create an heir after realizing that her death means having to find someone to rule the kingdom—causes trouble after she witnesses one of the main characters harshly reprimand an unruly group of preschoolers.
After recognizing that she holds power to control minds, Goliad commands the children with strictness and a punitive disposition. Immediately stopped by the others after doing so, she speaks up to defend her actions and says, “Everyone did what I wanted, really fast, no mistakes… This definitely is the way to lead.”
While rendered comically, the episode opens a discussion on an issue that is far darker.
The dictionary definition of leadership is “the action of leading a group of people or an organization.” The way I see it, people use it to disguise the complete opposite. Instead of choosing compassion and empathy, these “leaders” often resort to manipulation and power tripping in order to accomplish their selfish goals.
Is leadership then just the ability to manipulate people to be able do what one wishes? Is it all about efficiency and never the growth and welfare of the constituency involved?
Most would be quick to refute these questions with a resounding “no.” However, how leadership is manifested around us is disturbing because it isn’t so far from how Goliad showed it to be in the show. What’s more depressing is that at the end of the day, these people still continue to be given the title and honor of being called leaders.
Becoming “men and women for others” has already been interpreted by a lot of Ateneans the wrong way. Who never had that group leader who volunteered to be in charge of everything and then complained to the professor how his or her group contributed nothing? However, we also have to consider the other group members who allowed the leader to hog all the work without voicing a concern.
These two situations bring to light how leadership has challenges that involve those who follow as well. A question is raised: should following be blind and insensitive to the point that the incompetence of the leader is tolerated?
The Adventure Time episode ends with the princess having to create another creature who can match Goliad. However, instead of resolving the issue with violence, this new creature sacrifices himself and uses his similar psychic powers, leaving both of them engaged in an eternal stalemate. He could have used his powers to control Goliad but he chose to play fair.
If we have so much to say about how people lead us, it is also part of our job as followers to tell leaders when they are not fulfilling their roles. After all, it is our tolerance—and sometimes fear—of those who lead us that has enabled their wrong-doings to persist.
It is time for us to do something about our erring leaders, but not always in the way most have resorted to. It is not through conflict that a resolution will come to fruition but through proper communication.
