The Power of Leaders ... or Lack Thereof

Our society, and maybe all societies, tends to give too much blame/credit to our leaders. We blame/bless the President when the economy is bad/good. Really, he's just one among many that sets policies that affect the economy. That contribution can't be a large percentage of the total impact of fiscal and monetary policy. Appointed officials such as Fed governors have more influence on the economy than the President, but even they probably get more blame/praise than they deserve.

Tolstoy's 'War and Peace' gives some great arguments in favor of decentralizing the blame and praise. He also makes a pretty good case that in some ways, the guys with boots on the ground have a lot more to do with the success of an endeavor than the guys sitting behind the desk. One of his characters, Andrei Bolkonsky, consciously chooses a path that puts him on the field of battle rather than serving as an aide to the General because he believes he will have a much greater impact on the war in that capacity. I think Tolstoy goes a little too far with that idea, but it's a healthy counter to the ubiquitous concept that the leader is the one making everything happen.

Prince Andrei Bolkonsky

A CEO stepping into a company, for example, often finds his/her hands tied by the momentum of various projects, a corporate culture that may stubbornly refuse to change, or constraints imposed on him/her by predecessors that the new boss is powerless to change.

Leaders are people just like you and me. Their influence may be greater than the average guy on the street, but let's not overestimate their power. And let's not underestimate our own power either. Each of us can be an enormous force for good in this world. We just have to have a vision of what we want and work with firmness of mind to bring that vision to reality.