Russ Schoen

I was a bit flabbergasted by the lack of outrage over Bush’s handling of reporter’s questions about Don Rumsfeld last week. In case you missed it, according to Bush himself he deliberately misled reporters about the future of Rumsfeld because he did not want to tell the truth. To read about it click

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,228402,00.html

to see the video and read another’s take on it, click

http://thinkprogress.org/2006/11/08/bush-lied-rumsfeld/

Now, the point of this entry is to not bash one political party over another but rather to point out what a difficult example this sets for youth in our country about what it means to be a leader.

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to work with 60 high school students in Western New York, on developing effective leadership skills and putting it into use. When asked what they learned about leadership through our creative youth leadership program, certain themes emerged. Honesty, integrity, good listening, taking action, TRUST. Simple enough right? 

Most people would agree. In fact in a survey of key leadership characteristics by the center for creative leadership ~ ethics and integrity were among the top skills for business leaders… to read the summary click here…

http://www.ccl.org/leadership/enewsletter/2006/OCTseppollresults.aspx?pageId=1797

In anycase, when asked about who do they look up to when it comes to leadership, should it come as no surprise, that NO students I have worked with in the last 2 years has ever mentioned a politician. Perhaps, it is because the lessons of truth and honesty go away when it is not convenient.

I, for one, think it is sad and hope that our elected officials can do better in the future… honesty and integrity is linked with TRUST and CREDIBILITY. Two characterists that is essential for sustainable leadership.

With that I leave you with this question and two quotes… 

what is the example you set for youth today?

 2 quotes from Mark Twain, "When in doubt, tell the truth." And another. "Always tell the truth. That way, you don’t have to remember what you said."

let me know what you think.