America's Resolve in a New Era of Leadership
By Vincent J. Bove, CPP
Resolution is understood by
Webster's dictionary
as a process or determination for a course of action,
method or procedure to achieve a desired outcome. It is common to think of a resolution as a change,
normally a transformation to begin a new lifestyle or a new year's resolution. The word resolution
itself is derived from the Latin word, resolvere, that is, "to come to a definite or earnest decision
with a concrete plan of action."
On November 28, 2005, an American Congressman resigned, admitting that he took over two million dollars in bribes
from defense contractors in exchange for government business and other favors
(see article). Representative Randall "Duke" Cunningham
of California, an eight-term congressman pleaded guilty to graft which could result in up to ten years of imprisonment at
a February 27, 2006 sentencing. According to the Associated Press, investigators stated that Cunningham, a member of the
House Appropriations subcommittee that contracts defense dollars, secured contracts worth tens of millions for those with
pockets deep enough to meet his criminal demands of self-aggrandizement. The bribes, according to court documents, were
paid in a variety of forms including checks totaling over one million, cash, antiques, rugs, furniture, yacht club fees
and vacations. Prosecutors said that Cunningham was given 1.25 million dollars to pay the mortgage on his Rancho Sana Fe
mansion, $13,500 for a payment toward a Rolls-Royce and even $2,000 for his daughter's graduation at a Washington hotel.
"He did the worst thing an elected official can do — he enriched himself through his position and violated the trust of those
who put him there", said U.S. Attorney Carol Lam.
Congressman Randall Cunningham is unfortunately one of a legion of ill advised and morally ungrounded individuals in a position
of trust and authority who have betrayed the people entrusted to his care. Public corruption is so dangerous that the
FBI,
as detailed on the
public corruption section
of their web site, has it as "one of its top investigative priorities, behind only terrorism,
espionage and cyber crimes. This is because our democracy and national security depend on a healthy,
efficient and ethical government".
The pandemic of corruption is not only within the public sector of America but within the private sector as indicated by continual
scandalous headlines that include previously esteemed companies like World Com, Enron and Arthur Anderson. The scandals are even
within America's pastime, the game of Babe Ruth and within the American Catholic Church with sexual crimes committed against children
crying to the heavens for justice as bishops displayed a massive and pervasive lack of leadership. Throughout many arena's of American
life there is a dereliction to duty or as a Latin proverb, which is associated to one remiss to their duties states,
"Rex regnat sed non
gubernat", that is, "the king reigns but does not govern".
America's Response
Moral outrage in a calm, demanding and persevering manner must be the order of the day and America must respond with a new resolution to
leadership; highlighted by character, to expedite transformation from a culture of corruption to the ideals of service and dedication to
community. America need only reflect retrospectively on the leadership and events of its noble past to be reignited with the call of
Franklin Delano Roosevelt,
"this generation has a rendezvous with destiny".
In the book,
The Founding Fathers on Leadership, Classic Teamwork in Changing Times,
author Donald T. Philips highlights that although the
early patriots were outgunned by a ruthless dictator with unlimited resources, they had the ingenuity, passion, resolution and determination
to achieve victory. The founding fathers exemplified that truly great leaders exhibit traits inherent to their very fiber which include a high
ethical standard of doing the right thing, an almost uncontrollable desire to achieve, a propensity for lifelong learning and a dedication to
self improvement. As manifested in the results of the
Revolutionary War,
this ethical foundation translated into courage in adversity, a
willingness to take risks, a sense of destiny and a personal conviction they they were meant for greatness.
1
Abraham Lincoln
is admired as a leader with masterful communication and persuasion skills. Lincoln developed these skills by keenly understanding
the philosopher Aristotle's
Treatise on Rhetoric
which explains a leader's ability to persuade as:
"Persuasion is only achieved by means of a moral
character that renders the speaker worthy of confidence. Credibility is the most powerful means of persuasion".
2
If only the character of Abraham Lincoln were truly taken to heart by those in authority,
life would ultimately be transformed within American society.
Messages are more often heard and followed when the communicator
is understood to be honest, sincere and truly concerned about others.
3
Franklin Roosevelt responded to the ominous days of
World War II
by demanding that America have
"a toughness of moral and physical fiber which is precisely
the characteristics of a free people, a people dedicated to the institutions they themselves have built".
FDR's leadership made the presidency and the flag
rallying points for all Americans. President Roosevelt had faith in the power of democracy and an unwavering confidence in the American people which ignited
the most profound transformation of community in American history, one that intimately united the courage of the military in harms way on distant shores with
the industriousness of those on the American homeland.
4
Complimenting the leadership of FDR was
General Dwight Eisenhower
who exercised leadership by never yelling, shouting, or losing his temper. General Eisenhower
was a dedicated father and grandfather figure to those entrusted to his care. His temperament helped to build an atmosphere of friendly cooperation and teamwork
without any misunderstanding that he was in charge.
5
He developed a community mentality among the special breed of American men and women who did great things for
America and the world and must be eternally remembered for saving democracy and modern civilization itself. General Eisenhower made American proud of its call to be
liberators and that their mission would be profoundly important on the world as he stated,
"The destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny
over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for us in a free world is our mission".
6
The essence of leadership that can transform a corporation, community and a nation is and can only be evident
by character as proven in the great leaders and events
in American history. It is America's destiny, to once again rise up by a renewed resolution
to a new era of transformation ignited by personal and national character,
credibility and conviction in our call as a new "generation that has a rendezvous with destiny".
Vincent J. Bove, CPP
is a Board Certified Protection Professional, Board Certified Crime Prevention Specialist,
Certified Law Enforcement Instructor and U.S. Department of Justice Certified Community
Anti-Terrorism Awareness Trainer.
He is the 2007 New Jersey recipient of the prestigious
FBI Director's Community Leadership Award
and was hand-selected to serve as a facilitator and mentor for the 2007
National Conference on Ethics in America
and speaker for the 2008 conference at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
"Vincent J. Bove is considered one of the foremost
national experts on school and workplace violence
prevention, specializing in facility protection,
evacuations, terrorism prevention and leadership
training." -- U.S. Senate
You can visit Mr. Bove's website at
www.vincentbove.com
or email him at
vincent@vincentbove.com
Recommended Reading and Endnotes
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1.
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The Founding Fathers on Leadership, Donald T. Phillips, p.9.
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2.
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The Eloquent President, A Portrait of Lincoln through his Words, Ronald C. White, Jr. p. 255.
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3.
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Lincoln on Leadership, Donald T. Philips, p.153.
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4.
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No Ordinary Time, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II, Doris Kearns Goodwin, p.45-46.
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5/6.
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The Victors, Eisenhower and His Boys: The Men of World War II, Stephen E. Ambrose, p.19 and p.350.
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