The difference between successful and unsuccessful organizations frequently lies in leadership. Resources are important, opportunities are important, but the quality of leadership is often the deciding factor between whether an entity thrives or struggles. There are few bigger organizations than a state, and whether Wyoming thrives or struggles likely depends on the quality of its leadership.
Opinion
Historically, our state has had very strong leadership. Our governors have tended to be problem-solvers and, while all have been members of a political party, those in the modern era have valued ideas and solutions more than partisan affiliation. Our Legislature has also tended to have strong leadership, leading by example by bringing stakeholders together to gather information before making big decisions. We have sent multiple senators and representatives to Washington, D.C. who have been a credit to our state and leaders on a national scale. Some have certainly been better than others, but our state has historically been blessed with strong leadership.
However, we are always just one election away from undoing the good work of those who came before us. We must always be looking to the future, and we need strong leaders, with clear and long-range visions, to ensure our state meets whatever challenges are likely to arise in our changing world.
It is important to remember that leadership is different from merely holding — or seeking — an office. There are many public officials who are not leaders. They are seat-warmers or opportunistic “ladder climbers” motivated more by external validation or a thirst for power than by improving our state. You can recognize them by their lack of principle and their unfailing parroting of what they believe the public wants to hear. Pandering is the hallmark of a lack of leadership. True leaders must speak the truth, even when it is unpopular.
Unfortunately, Wyoming has seen a lot of pandering lately. Promises of tax cuts without consequences are an obvious example, but any unprincipled position based on currying public favor fits the description. Secretary of State Chuck Gray’s crusade to call into question election security, despite no evidence of any actual insecurity or exposure, is a particularly ham-fisted example.
The problem with pandering is that it is so alluring. Its entire purpose is to appeal to the public, so our natural inclination is to believe it. However, a critical eye and ear can recognize it for what it is: just another attempt to manipulate us. Pandering is dangerous because it is a comfortable lie that blinds us to the real state of affairs, preventing us from making clear-headed decisions. It sacrifices the well-being of the group for the benefit of the panderer, preying on our pre-existing beliefs.
In the political sphere, there are many self-serving politicians masquerading as leaders. We should all beware the candidate who cannot tell us what motivates them in seeking office. Too many see an election as their chance to achieve their own measure of fame, glory or influence, and that is an end in itself. I much prefer the politician who is motivated by a vision of what their state, county or community can look like in the future. We need those who seek to build us up, not those who seek only to increase their own image.
Fortunately, we still have quality leaders in our state. There are many public servants, both in office and in professional positions, who dedicate their time to making our state better, even when the answers go against conventional wisdom. The mark of a leader is that they are inspired by service. It is counterintuitive, but genuine leadership requires the leader to diminish themselves in pursuit of the greater good. It requires humility, honesty and the willingness to sacrifice one’s own interests in favor of the interests of the community. That is not to say that it should not be bold, but it must be bold in pursuit of truth and the greater welfare, not individual interests.
When a true leader emerges, people take notice. Even though they are human, with human flaws, a leader’s true nature shines through. The easiest way to identify a leader is by their commitment to a cause greater than themselves. In government, this usually means building something that will last beyond their own time in office. Typically, leaders do not care who gets the credit, as long as the goal is accomplished. They are focused on the cause, not self-aggrandizing.
Over the next year, we will see many candidates for many important positions. It is a solemn responsibility for us as voters to try to find the leaders and discard the rest. Our votes matter, and whether we choose leaders or mere opportunists will matter a lot toward what our future looks like. Let’s hope we choose wisely.
Excellent piece of work. The old adage “if it seems to good to be true, it is” does not just apply to consumer goods. It also applies to politicians.
Having someone with the temperament of a Chuck Gray warming the Secretary of State’s chair is concerning enough; the prospect of him successfully using it to crawl up into the Governor’s seat is absolutely terrifying.
Great piece. And I’ll say it for you: those who have been pandering lately and who do not have Wyoming’s long term interest at heart are all members of the Freedom Caucus.
Lenhart’s discussion of leadership could be taken from the literature on “transformational leadership.” Common elements to this kind of leadership include; the ability to inspire and motivate, to create a compelling vision that fosters individual and community growth, that encourages others to achieve personal and common outcomes, some of which are extraordinary. Finally, a transformational leader provides the opportunity for others to develop their own leadership capacity.
Wyoming has not had a transformational leader in many decades. Its best governors have at best been effective pragmatists, able to work across ideological lines to get policies passed that actually provide opportunity for Wyoming’s citizens to thrive. Wyoming’s two Senators and Representative are not encouraging this thriving. Instead, they are wedded to a set of talking points underwritten by support of a national authoritarian agenda.
There are no obvious candidates in the current crop of legislators who exhibit the characteristics of a transformational leader listed above. Most are too small-minded and are followers, doing what party leaders tell them to do.
I have no idea whether Kyle Lenhart is interested in running for Governor in this coming cycle. That said, his grasp of what constitutes the basics of good leadership, the clarity of his oft expressed perspective on Wyoming’s needs, and history with the state Republican party make him an attractive candidate.
If not Lenhart, who is out there that has a vision for Wyoming’s future that will convince our children to stay and build lives in the State? We need a leader who will provide the means for small communities to weather changing economic reality, who will resist the power of monied special interests that pay only lip service to Wyoming’s children and future. We need a leader to develop a “Wyoming Vision” independent of any national ideological agenda.
Who might this be?
Mr. Lenhart: I appreciated reading your opinion piece as it I believe it reaches everyone in Wyoming, despite party affiliation.
As a seasonal worker in this state for the past five years, I’ve come to know several public servants of both major parties (as well as those non-partisan) and I pray that the voting public can look around their community to see who is serving them and their constituency (sp) the best they can as the needs are–and not necessarily as the popular headlines, mob social media posts proclaim or even well-meaning podcasters may espouse.
Also, accessiblity and the ability to admit when mistakes or oversights have been made is another couple of qualities that can help folks to decipher who are good servant leaders for Wyoming. Budgets may not always help those who need it, sometimes the public needs to know why and it’s best to know that he/she who represents your interests is willing to communicate with you even when it may mean learning why they failed for a moment.
Everyone is working hard in their own lives to meet the needs of their loved ones and themselves–knowing who to vote for is an extra stress but important to do your own research to help delegate the needs of your area to a public servant who will endeavor to put the public needs over their personal self and even party at times.
~R.V.S.B.