Leadership that matters
Leaders as role models
As you know, I am working on a series of Special Articles about Leadership. I already posted a draft of the beginning—which is now completely different! This new version now begins:
Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world
Like a Colossus, and we petty men
Walk under his huge legs and peep about
To find ourselves dishonorable graves.
Men at some time are masters of their fates.
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings.
Julius Caesar, William Shakespeare
Will I change that too? We’ll see…
As in all my Special Articles, I write in what I call “chunks”, with a lot of graphics to “anchor” the content, hoping that such things make the thing easier to read. I am assuming that some people will use the EPUB version and read it on their smartphones also
Right now, I am writing about Putin and Xi, trying to figure out why they are as they are . The more I research, the more I find Western journalists and academics a pains to diminish the stature of these men — and their accomplishments, which historically speaking, are almost without peer.
I am posting here the beginning of the section on Putin.
As usual, comments and criticisms are welcome!
DRAFT
Researching Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping has not been easy since both are demonized in the West and their actions and records distorted. Both have amazing accomplishments if you look at the facts —but the media and academe are fact-averse.
Even the statistics they use are manipulated to make it seem that Putin and Xi have failed in every respect— when the opposite is true.
If you lie before a jury you go to prison. If you lie to the whole world, you get a Pulitzer, or maybe the Medal of Freedom.
I will deal with the details of Putin and Xi’s accomplishments — but first let’s look at what makes a leader great — and why indirectly, Western leaders alway seem either good, bad or ugly— with “good” not being “great”.
Indicators of Betterment
Greatness in a leader is easy to identify—it means the betterment of peoples lives. But what does “betterment” mean?
There are many indicators – cost of living, disposable income, retirement support, access to education and healthcare, infrastructure, crime prevention and public safety, anti-corruption measures, consumer choice, as well as access to information and freedom of expression – without abuse of either.
The first and most important indicator is an improvement in lifespan.
As you can see, life expectancy in Russia had achieved its lowest point at the time that Putin took over. Then it rose dramatically – a steeper increase than in other countries. The Russian goal is 78 by the end of 2025 although in recent years, life expectancy has been increasing 2% a year.
By contrast life expectancy in the US is stagnant, the country falling from 44th worldwide to 66th.
Every country has its issues, of course. In Russia, it has always been alcoholism and tobacco use among men leading to a significant difference between lifespans in men and women.
In the US it is poverty and lack of healthcare—and recently increases in early onset cancers for reasons not yet determined.
But Russia is taking steps to discourage both alcoholism and tobacco use – while encouraging physical fitness and reducing societal stressors. In this respect, the SMO has helped with images of fit, healthy soldiers projecting a kind of male ideal.
In this area, “leadership” is important in changing cultural habits and memetic contexts.
Putin is often ridiculed in the West for publishing photos of himself, naked from the waist up on horseback or doing Judo or swimming or fishing.
He is not just showing off. This is not “toxic male narcissism” as Western pseudo-psychologists like to call it — writing (for a price) for the anti-Russian media. It is healthy, active, natural….
It is also not this…..
Putin is re-defining Russian masculinity multidimensionally emotionally and culturally — by example.
This is a man unafraid to show is true feelings.
Putting aside political ideology, what do you see?
The Western media sneer with sarcastic headlines like “Russian strongman weeps”. But the Russian public sees a very human person – a spiritual man, a patriot who honors sacrifice, and is unafraid to show his real feelings – not a political actor following a script. Of course, we all have our flaws. But societies that ridicule virtue, deserve the demise that surely awaits them.
All Western politicians are scripted. Media creations. Their “virtue” is the ability to read the teleprompter.
Putin doesn’t need teleprompter — he is just himself— a man of many parts.
That is fundamental to real leadership – authenticity.
Putin is therefore a role model. That doesn’t mean I want to be like him. Of that I agree with everything he does. Or that I do not see his flaws. But he is an honest man — the real deal — who is making a difference. When was the last time we could say that about any Western leader?
One sign of Putin’s character is the fact that he does not publicize or propagandize his personal life as US Presidents are prone to do – Obama being the greatest proponent of using family as a political tool. Putin is sending a message – namely, that the Family is sacrosanct – personal and private. Putin is a leader before he is a politician.
Interestingly enough, Xi also keeps his personal life – personal.
When I was a kid, we were taught —as many of you have been —not to discuss politics or religion at the dinner table. It is a good rule.
In French Canada, families argue a lot when they eat — but they too avoid politics or religion.
Putin’s example has made a difference. Since the year 2000m Russian men in particular have seen a model for behavior – and Russian women of course have made their druthers known. Want to get laid? Be a “man” – not a drunken lout. Who wants to kiss a man who smells of cheap vodka and whose mouth is fouled by crappy tobacco that tastes like shit?
Russians are drinking less —smoking less. Healthier—and having more sex.
BTW the Moscow Times hates Putin.
In addition, Putin has provided employment, jobs, and- using the SMO— has insisted on recognition of service - a kind of meritocracy somehow reminiscent of the GI Bill.
Suddenly, both Russian men and women can work towards realizable goals. Everyone gets to be a hero—which is what Putin dreamt of being as a kid. .
Next up — economic and social policies and why Putin’s childhood and adolescence matter.
Who are MY role models?
Ichi and Chappy of course! I do not drink or smoke — but I drink a LOT of coffee.
Looking good mr Macfarlane!
Remember not to idolize either of them too much. You know how so many are looking at Vladimir Putin as the saviour/antidote to the west.
When he doesn't fufill their ridiculous expectations eg. nuking Washington DC, nuking Israel, saving Syria, crushing Ukraine in 3 months, raising our standards of living, and basically creating heaven on earth...they get bitter and blame the man for everything and then some.
In that sense Xi Jinping has dodged the bullet.(Oops probably shouldn't say something like that with the amount of assasinations in 2000's)
They are public servants in the true sense of the word, devoted to their rather terrible jobs. I just don't see much glamour in all of it.
Thank our lucky stars they both are there, though, to counteract the insidious evil creep of whatever it is that throws its shadow over this beautiful little planet of ours.
Why do people drink and smoke too much? (Any smoking may be too much). For the same reason they take drugs in the West - and elsewhere. Because life is unpleasant or unbearable, and they don't enjoy living it. The better life gets - and, mainly, the greater the constructive part they can play in it - the less people will need those forms of escape. Although I hate to see anyone smoking, as my father and all four grandparents died painfully of cancer, I do not plan to stop drinking wine or enjoying a wee dram.