Should Anthony Weiner be elected?
I think many of us have wanted to tell Anthony Weiner this week: “What you do speaks so loud, we can’t even hear what you’re saying.”
Although New Yorkers in particular may be concerned about who will be elected as their next mayor, I think all of us are wondering and worrying about some underlying leadership issues.
Can someone who is intelligent, charismatic and capable, yet deeply flawed in his/her personal life, be truly fit for leadership?
Good question, right? I think many of us have been going back and forth with this one.
For the final analysis, I believe the Torah’s wisdom says it best:
When Moses appointed leaders G-d instructed him: "You shall choose out of the entire nation men of substance, G-d fearers, men of truth, who hate monetary gain, and you shall appoint over Israel, leaders…" What does "Men of truth" refer to? Those who keep their promises - i.e., people you can trust. If you can trust them in their personal lives, then you can trust them as public leaders.
It’s kind of an ‘across the board’ rule: The best and most effective way to parent, teach, legislate or lead is by example, because as it turns out, what leaders do in their personal lives, really does matter!
People are watching, teenagers are watching, kids are watching, and they are picking up strong subliminal messages about family values, morality, honesty and leadership.
G-d is well aware of our powerful inclination and therefore if we do succumb to our evil impulses, He also gave us the ability to repent. However repentance requires two steps. 1. Realizing we have a problem – knowing the sickness and not fooling ourselves. 2. Move away from the limelight and to sincerely regret our actions. We need to return to G-d from the depths of our heart. After completing both these steps we regain the integrity lost to unfortunate personal choices.
We are all leaders. For our families, in the work place or in our communities. What we do behind closed doors is critical in our lives of leadership.
Shabbat Shalom!