The Trump Phenomenon: A Look Ahead

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?? The Power of Leadership in Shaping Organizational Culture ??

As we navigate times of rapid change, the role of leadership in defining organizational culture is more crucial than ever. Leadership styles significantly impact not only the morale and productivity of a team but also how organizations adapt to challenges.

?? Transparency & Trust: Leaders who prioritize openness create a culture where teams feel secure, leading to stronger collaboration. Transparent decision-making fosters trust, which can be the backbone of resilience.

?? Adaptability: Today’s fast-paced environment demands a culture that embraces flexibility. Adaptive leaders encourage innovation and empower teams to make adjustments quickly, creating a dynamic and forward-thinking work environment.

?? Empathy & Inclusion: An empathetic approach promotes inclusivity, making employees feel valued. Leaders who understand and respect diverse perspectives inspire loyalty and bring out the best in everyone.

?? Accountability & Integrity: By setting high standards for accountability and integrity, leaders cultivate a culture of excellence. When teams know that integrity is non-negotiable, it strengthens the organization’s reputation and fosters ethical decision-making.

In any organization, a leader’s style resonates far beyond their personal office. Leaders set the tone, influencing how challenges are met and how a sense of purpose is instilled. As we look to the future, these qualities will continue to be vital in building resilient and successful organizations. ???

But here's where it gets a bit edgy.

There's been a paradigm shift in expectations, especially in the role of commander in chief. Many of the traditional leadership qualities have been waived, overlooked, or even abandoned. What we once called "must have" presidential prerequisites have been replaced with a pop-culture resume of cancel-proof behavior, and a no-holds barred approach to this new-style popularity contest. It seems to no longer be about holding true to loyalty, to party or allegiance to the flag; rather, obtaining endorsements from the largest record selling pop star or podcast host. And now even media giants are abstaining from endorsements for fear of backlash, and bad ratings.

But I digress.

Getting back to the election now. I can't put it off much more out of pure respect for the three (3) colors of the flag. The three (3) checks and balances of our government. The three (3) major parties that command candidate space on the ballot. And, the three (3) most important people that make up our elections process in this country…that's us, the voter's, them, the candidates, and, the unsung heroes that make ALL elections happen…election workers!

We talk about everything else on election day, and the days, months, and years leading up to them. But we don't give credit where it's due. It's like going to a restaurant and ordering food. Your meal just magically arrives on your table hot and fresh. No thought about the kitchen preparation. No thought of the food ordering and delivery process. No questions about where the fish came from or when it arrived there. Just know that the finest Sea Bass is on your plate, and it better be the best you've ever had, or else.

But that's what elections are. It's a process. There's no wizard behind the curtain. It's a well-planned process that is literally years in the making. Candidates must qualify to get their names on the ballot. Machines must be tested, and prepped, and tested again, and prepped again. Poll workers have to be recruited, then trained. Polling locations have to be prepared and secured. And ultimately, the voters must be educated on the process. That means where to vote, when to vote, and how to vote. And most voting jurisdictions and counties have well over a million registered voters. And many of these locations have people moving in and out of those locations. And that means voter list maintenance. So many intricacies and steps to take before delivering that masterpiece of Sea Bass to your table. And most importantly, there is zero chance for error.

An error-free election requires hundreds and thousands of people all working together for a common goal. That's service. And these people are your neighbors. They're your mothers, fathers, grandparents. They are the true heroes. These are the people in your neighborhood, and make no mistake about it, elections would never exist without them.

But democracy doesn't work without all its parts. Voters have to engage in the process of education. Voters have to know what they’re voting for. Voters have to show up. In 2020, there were 158 million ballots cast, out of an eligible 252 million Americans. That means only 62% showed up and participated. But four years ago, that number seemed low, and people from all corners of the country went to work (for different reasons) to try to increase that number for the next presidential election. Well, something happened, and I can bet you a shiny penny that some of those same people are getting to work already trying to figure this out.

This time, November 5, 2024, four years later, the total number votes cast dropped to 139 million. That's 20 million fewer ballots cast from the previous presidential election. What happened?

I'm sure we'll spend the next four years again trying to answer that question, but here's my two shiny pennies worth. Getting back to why we vote should be a priority for us Americans. Getting back to how to vote, when to vote, and where to vote is a great start. Getting to know the process is the foundation of creating an informed electorate. Seeing hundreds of unopposed candidates in a single state and seeing fewer voters care about the outcome is a sure sign of a deteriorating democracy.

I began here by speaking about leadership and the things that good leadership creates. Our elections aren't about betting on your favorite football team or selecting candidates because your favorite actor likes them. That's a popularity contest, not an election. Our candidates are put into power to attack real issues for us, find solutions to major issues that affect all of us. But if we don't show up on the days we're supposed to, we can't expect them to show up at all. And it's not at all about who is right in situations; rather, what is right. And the person that sews with that thread will undoubtedly make the best leader.

The first step in solving a problem is admitting that there is one. America is only as great as its people, and we must get involved to continue that pursuit of creating a more perfect union. They aren't just words; they are our foundation. We have both rights and responsibilities in this country. Our absence will make us fall short every time.

So, if you showed up yesterday, thank you. If you worked yesterday to help preserve our democracy, thank you. And if you decided that public service was worth your time, and you ran for office, thank you. That’s the power of three (3)…I, you, we! Together, it's democracy.

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