Solitude and Leadership and Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis (:

The Definition of a Leader

          In the U.S, we are in great need of having better leaders.  William Deresiewicz thinks that the US has “a crisis of leadership… in every institution”.  Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis is one example of the type of leader this country needs.  He is not top brass, and does not have a high political status; however, Davis is headstrong and rises above the status quo.   He felt something was amiss, and stood behind his accusations.  Davis has the knowledge and heart of a true leader.

            The current leaders that we have now in the United States are people who gave a high status.  These men and women tend to manipulate their abilities of leadership by various means.  Intentions of change are not among their goals.  These leaders simply want to be the king of the hill, or in this case the best leaders of the nation.  Real, talented leaders are pushed aside by the fight for power:

Because excellence isn’t usually what gets you up the greasy pole. What gets you up is a talent for maneuvering. Kissing up to the people above you, kicking down to the people below you. Pleasing your teachers, pleasing your superiors, picking a powerful mentor and riding his coattails until it’s time to stab him in the back. Jumping through hoops. Getting along by going along. Being whatever other people want you to be, so that it finally comes to seem that, like the manager of the Central Station, you have nothing inside you at all. Not taking stupid risks like trying to change how things are done or question why they’re done. Just keeping the routine going.

Leaders seemed to be defined by their ability to climb the status pole.  Davis is turning against this mode of thinking, and showing the nation that real leaders can be successful.

            I think that the United States has a crisis of leadership because of wealth and power.  If these ideals were let go, and new leadership moved in, the nation would be better as a whole.  Men and women like Davis will turn the country around.  This nation needs people who can think:

People who can think for themselves. People who can formulate a new direction: for the country, for a corporation or a college, for the Army—a new way of doing things, a new way of looking at things. People, in other words, with vision.

Davis’ actions display his great qualities as a leader, as well as a thinker.  He thought his motives through, researched, and did what he knew was right to support his argument.  As a true leader, he turned to his thoughts before formulating his vision.

            Strong leaders drive this country.  They think and act for themselves with the best interest of the nation in mind.  Status and power does not matter because their initiative to attain their vision is great. Lt. Col. Daniel L. Davis is a great example of the many-needed leader the U.S. needs.  His passion for standing up for what he feels is right is inspiring, and gives the nation hopes in finding great leaders.