Lately I have been wondering about all the hype with instances of impropriety among the nation’s top leadership. The media zooms in for coverage then the public gasps in disgust. Today’s gossip: former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger and his marital infidelities.
The scenario is always the same. Another politician pleads ignorance when the humiliating details come to light. Another business leader goes awry and then gets caught with a hand in the cookie jar. In the end, they all want to be pardoned for their indiscretions.
But, give that person a few months or years out of the spotlight and everyone seems to have forgotten the egregious offense. Why does the public tolerate excuses from our purported leaders?
Over the last week, the nation watched as Schwarzenegger responded to public scrutiny about his marital infidelities. In fact, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm tweeted: “Another guy guv admits 2 cheating on his wife. Maybe we need more women governors.” Now, there’s an interesting thought…Yet I digress.
A more fundamental question about a high-ranking leader like Schwarzenegger is about the potential mismanagement of state funds. At the end of the day, how long do we allow for our top leaders to cut corners?
It is not that human imperfections should not be forgiven or overlooked. What I’m talking about is how offenses are ignored and forgotten. Yes, people make mistakes. But, the fact is that the public completely negates the need for consistency within leadership.
Even as we have seen numerous leaders beg forgiveness publicly for their “minor oversights” more pressing questions must be asked. What allows for these oversights to perpetuate? What gives leaders the sense that they are somehow above the law? Where is the commitment to personal accountability?
When the public starts to demand that leaders hold themselves to higher level of accountability then there will be more accountable systems everywhere.
