Perspective

Yesterday was Jimmy Carter’s birthday. He turned 96 making him the longest-lived President of the United States. He was President from 1977 to 1981. Around that time he was often referred to as a ‘peanut farmer from Georgia’. But, I think, in the long run, he is best known for his humility and his commitment to his faith. It is not uncommon to see photos of him still actively working for his favourite charity, Habitat for Humanity.

This week I, like many of you, have been bombarded with news clips of the American Presidential debate that happened on Tuesday night between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Parts of the dialogue are soul destroying. It is hard to wrap my head around the concept that these two represent the best America has to offer when it comes to leadership. That reflection has led me to try and get some perspective on power and leadership. It is one thing to gain power through election. It is something completely different to be a leader.

Jimmy Carter has written many books. Some of this titles: “Palestine Peace Not Apartheid” “Our Endangered Values”, “Faith A Journey for All”, “Living Faith”, “A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence and Power”, “Keeping Faith: Memoirs of a President”, “The Virtues of Aging”, “Everything to Gain: Making the Most of the Rest of Your Life”, “Talking Peace: A Vision For the Next Generation”, “A Government as Good as It’s People”. Compare those titles with the ones of books written by Donald Trump: “The Art of the Deal”, The Art of the Comeback” “Surviving at the Top”, “Time to Get Tough”, “How to Get Rich”, “Think Big and Kick Ass”. (Yes, he really did write a book titled, “Think Big and Kick Ass”). Now, I undeniably admit a bias in favour of someone who writes from a Christian and faith perspective. But anyone can see by scanning these titles that there exists between these two men an ocean of difference in their values and priorities. That brings me again to perspective on leadership versus power.

It is my view that a leader thinks beyond themselves and does whatever they can do to empower others to work beyond their own wellbeing to the wellbeing of the broader community. That shows leadership! To work, not for personal gain alone, but to work towards generosity and support for those beyond ourselves.

A leader points away from themselves towards others. A person might have power but how they use that power is what makes them a leader. Some of the best leaders I have known have given the attention to others and deflected it from themselves. A leader lets other people have the time in the spotlight. A leader helps others shine. People in power can be great leaders. Sadly, sometimes they are only there for the power, the prestige and the profit.

Jimmy Carter’s time as “official” leader lasted one term. But his leadership as a global citizen has lasted for decades. He is a leader, not without faults of course, but a leader in his thought and in his action. It just so happens that Jimmy Carter models his life after another great leader, one who stood up for human rights, one who elevated the people on the margins, one who went to his death defending what he believed in. One who, for 2000 years, has been heralded as one of the greatest leaders the earth has known. Even without political power he shifted the earth. Of course that leader was a humble peasant from Palestine. Power and leadership comes in different ways. Let’s be sure we keep our eyes open for leaders and follow them.