When I became a manager for the first time in my career, I was 29 years old, and every one of my direct reports was older than me.
I sought and got advice from my Dad, Muddy Boots' origin, and others I respected. One suggested an overview strategy to manage my team of listen, look, and lead. As we go to the polls on Tuesday, I suggest that advice is a filter for the individuals we vote for.
Once elected, our political leaders are asked and required to follow the Constitution and the laws of the land to represent our country's and all citizens' best interests. Clearly, in our two-party system, candidates run on a platform. Once elected, it is understood that the platform is a guideline for policy and legislation. The standard must also be that an elected individual is expected to represent all people in their district, state, or country. Hence, the advice is to listen, look, and lead.
Look at the issue from all perspectives and the law, listen to the facts, science, the law, and the people you represent, and having done so, lead with integrity and equity. Make the hard calls, act for everyone, explain your vote, and look for long-term results that may exceed your term. Above all, be fact-based, speak the truth, protect individual freedom in the context of the common good, and be a leader with integrity and character.
Finally, don’t kick the hard calls down the road. Time is not on our side with the environment, poverty, national and geo-political security, the balance between individual rights and the common good, and the national and world economy. Such issues require national unity and focus.
Red or Blue this Tuesday, vote for individuals who will look, listen, and lead and do so with the integrity to represent all of your district, state, or country and the courage and integrity to make the hard calls on the thorny issues. May we remember that the flag represents all of us.
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