One common human trait that seems to apply to all sectors of our life is the need for “leaders” in what we do.

Whether it is the head of the school board, Chairman of the United Way or President of the United States … there is this innate and apparent need to focus our efforts through that of a particular person in order to accomplish common human goals.

I think what has distinguished American culture and political life, in general, is that this person as “leader” is chosen for a limited time and their expected role is to represent the public interest, i.e. they will exercise their leadership to help a community of people (or their country) implement a common effort. The “effort” being undertaken becomes the primary focus and the person as “leader” is just representative of the needs and aims of the greater whole.

Where difficulty arises is where the “leader” subsumes the whole, becomes the sole focus of the “effort,” and things devolve into the cult of personality.

I recall many years ago when a couples’ study group we were in took what was called a “Meyers/Briggs test.” It was meant to be a casual introduction in sizing up the personalities in the group. One thing I remember from that, is that a Type “A” personality was a person who wanted to be “in charge” and run things. The potential problem, of course, is that wanting to be “in charge” may become the “be all and end all” for that person instead of their becoming a representative leader for a group, country or community.

I write these thoughts not to “stir people up” but to stimulate thought and introspection on what I think is a common thread running through human institutions. A person can become so self-absorbed that everything becomes identified with their persona. In its worst form in civil society, it can morph into a hero worship where the person wants to be called “Emperor,” “Il Duce” or “Mein Fuhrer.” History is replete with this. When that happens, the idea that the job of a leader is to represent the greater public interest is lost.

What we need are good leaders who know that it is not all about them, but about what and whom they are representing. That, of course, requires a good dose of humility which is not an attribute easily attained. Yet, it is the one attribute that separates real leaders from those who pretend to be. A model for me has always been Abraham Lincoln.

Rolland Kidder is a Stow resident.