A Congress Devoid Of Leadership
By Thomas D. Segel
March 7, 2009

To even the casual observer, it is easy to see the United States Congress has a leadership void of vast proportions. It has become a body of elected officials where the unseeing are leading the blind and good decision-making or acceptance of responsibility is unknown. This is a very sick body of people who are really in need of some serious help.

Congress could improve itself by emulating the principles and traits established by the most respected organization in the country. Without exception, the men and women of the armed forces are America's most admired and respected body of people.

There are, scattered among the multitudes of their fellow citizens, about two million military retirees, plus a strong active duty force. Though the retired service personnel are now embarked on a wide spectrum of civilian pursuits the lessons they learned while wearing the uniforms of their country still, in the vast majority of situations, allow them to stand tall among their fellow Americans.

There is a very powerful reason why these men and women are admired, respected, and sought out to fill important roles in their communities. That reason is a mystic thing called Leadership.

Almost without exception, career enlisted personnel and officers are required to undergo a wide variety of leadership training courses. These are not just a single indoctrination classes, but ongoing training across many years of their careers.

Today, even the giants of industry recognize the value of leadership training as it has been developed within the armed forces. The business world has even taken the military leadership principles and traits, modified them to fit their various business models and train their supervisors and officers to apply them in the work place.

Well, Congress-people, how would you measure up if the military leadership principles were applied to you and your role in government?

First, you should know yourself and always seek self-improvement. Most Americans believe those in Congress have an inflated opinion of themselves and they only seek further self-aggrandizement.

Next, you should be technically and tactically proficient. The average person in Congress has so little proficiency that he or she must rely on the skills of career staff personnel to do everything from preparing bills to be filed to explaining the content of various pieces of legislation.

Of major importance is developing a sense of responsibility among your subordinates and even your peers. This happens no place in Washington D.C. or in the Halls of Congress. The rule is keep protecting yourself at all costs, and if necessary, throw the other guy under the bus.

Leaders must always make sound and timely decisions. Everyone knows there has seldom been a sound decision made by Congress and nothing has ever been timely on Capitol Hill.

It is very important to set the example. For as long as people have memories, every example set by Congress has been bad.

A key principle is...know your people and keep them informed. It is obvious that those in Congress have no idea about the needs, aspirations or objectives of the people they serve. As far keeping people informed, these same elected officials go out of their way to keep everyone in the dark.

Seek responsibility and take responsibility for you actions. This principle doesn't even deserve comment when trying to apply it to Congress. There are 535 people in that big building on the hill that have never taken responsibility for anything.

A leader will ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished. This is another principle that remains unknown, not only by members of Congress, but across Washington D. C.

Finally, train your people as a team. In Congress there is no team concept. There are only coalitions that are temporarily formed to promote what is desired at that moment.

There are also Leadership Traits that the armed forces attempt to instill in all its officers, NCOs, and petty officers. These are the traits of: Dependability...Bearing...Courage...Decisiveness...Endurance...Enthusiasm...Initiative...Integrity...Judgment...Justice...Knowledge...Tact...

Unselfishness and Loyalty. How many of these traits have you observed anywhere in the nation's capitol? Do I hear...None?

There is a solution that could correct the inability of Congress to lead. These are the lawmakers of our country, so they could just make a law that would require every member of Congress to undergo leadership training. Since leaders are made and not born, it would still be possible for that band of pork barrel pirates to remold themselves into a body that could garner the respect of the constituents. Congress wouldn't have to go very far to get that training either. The Marine Base at Quantico, Virginia is just down the road.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.