[December 15, 2014] A major concern in the military and business world is the decline in the professionalism of their leaders. While this depends on how we define the concept of professionalism, there is no doubt that professionalism and leadership are inextricably linked. The concern is so great that many organizations search for professionalism in the most unlikely places and expend major resources doing so.
To illustrate, Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York City inadvertanly disrespected members of the city’s police by failing to stand up for them; this occurred during protests against police shootings in Ferguson and Staten Island (a borough of NYC). The NYC Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association has taken the unusual step of asking the mayor to not attend the funerals of fallen officers. They say de Blasio has insulted their sacrifice.1 Many NYC citizens claim this is another example of the mayor’s lack of professionalism. They say he makes statements that are supportive of law breakers and offensive to both police and law abiding citizens.
Is there a real decline in the professionalism of our leaders? Is this much to do about nothing? The consensus is that there is a decline in professionalism and we think we know why. It is important to admit that there is a problem and then do something about it. First, here are some of the indicators of declining professionalism:
- Failure to understanding the effect of their behavior (don’t lead by example)
- Poor communication skills
- Micromanagement of employees
- Lowering of work and ethical standards
- Lack of caring and respect
- Egotistical behavior and parochial thinking
- Serve to divide people, not pull them together
Second, to answer the question as to why we have a decline in professionalism, we need to go back to the 1960s to see a culture struggling with drug use, a successful civil rights movement, political intervention in the Vietnam War, and great advances in science and medicine. The United States was undergoing a cultural transformation with leaders often put into position without relevant experience or qualifications. Despite leader deficiencies they largely succeeded.
Since the 1960s, the professionalization of leaders has been on the decline. Not that there aren’t attempts to improvement but the prevailing wisdom is that leaders no longer have to be the best, the smartest, or the most qualified. This unfortunate turn of events has led to general decline in professional behavior among leaders and a subsequent dissatisfaction with and mistrust of them. To illustrate, political leaders are now elected for what they promise to give citizen special interest groups, not for what is good for the country or for how well they can lead for the good of all.
The search of professionalism will continue. Americans in particular are quick to lose interest in those that cannot produce value. Perhaps in the near future, we will begin to demand better leadership. I’m certainly hopeful.
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