Moral Authority, Fundamental to Undefended Leadership.
In the Summer of 2015 Issue, the Westmont Magazine has a heading titled, “The Moral Leadership of American President,” [1] that speaks to the importance of Moral Leadership in the highest office of the Nation. Couple excerpt from the articles reads, “Moral leadership is in fact a central task of our presidents when it’s done correctly…. When you realize that these presidents are people too, that they are not godlike, Zeus-like figures, but human beings who did great things, then you yourself as a flawed person could also, perhaps, do great things.”[2] They were imperfect just as any human beings, but they withstood adversity, and they think about the people they represent. And not only that, but their legacies show some moral aspect to their leadership.
In some of the reviews of this week’s reading, ‘The Undefended Leader,’ they talked about the some of the following: (Chris Ducker) [3], this book is in the category of ‘self-aware leadership’ in which within the leadership process, the leader is encouraged to be deeply aware of himself/herself, his/her background, and with others. Second, true and deep leadership must be undefended not wanting the leadership for the sake of power; and not seeking other’s approval but must be ‘free to lead.’ And the basic or fundamental essence of the leadership is the being of the individual, not the knowledge or the skills possessed. (Morgan, Allison April 2014) [4], in the latter section of her summary (part III), she talked about ‘the secret of the undefended leader.’ Personally, I find this as fundamental element of this book that would be the very important take away from this book for me. To be a true and authentic leader, one must be undefended. In other words, a genuine and true leader is one who has nothing to hide in order to be accepted. And I believe that this is the basis of a leadership’s moral authority.
Moses, the greatest leader of the Israelites’ exile from the Egyptian bondage. Before leading the exile from Egypt, he was born in secret and given to the Egyptian royalty, grew up with two identities (as Jews and Egyptian Royal family), then became a convict and then ran for his life. Joseph, the dreamer who became the governor of Egypt next to the King Pharaoh. As a favorite by the father, he was hated by the brothers to the point they wanted to take his life. He was sold as a slave, then become prisoner and ever being forgotten by the prison mate (whom should have remembered him). David, the chosen Israelites king, the shepherd, the adulterer and the murderer who was credited as a man after God’s own heart. Walker said this about ‘moral authority’ in the latter chapters, “Moral authority is different from those kind of authority bestowed by election, appointment or delegation; it has to do with the kind of life one has lived. Very often it is acquired only through personal struggle and loss.” [5] It is only fitting to say that the personal experiences (failures, struggles and losses) shaped them into the great leaders. Should we say then that ‘great leaders are made, not born to be, or maybe both. Great leaders are born to be made into great leaders. Just as Walker describes Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the Nazi invasions, “It was not until the age 65, the age at which most men in Britain retire, that he (Winston Churchill) was appointed to lead his country against the wicked ideology of Nazism. He wrote: ‘All my life has been preparation for this moment.’” [6]
There are more to an ‘undefended leaders’ such like freedom to fail, freedom to give, dealing with ‘frontstage and backstage, and etc., but ‘moral authority’ is a quality that is essential in leadership; it is like a fuel to leadership. It is part on the leadership which gives the ‘freedom to lead.’
[1] https://www.westmont.edu. The Moral Leadership of American President. (Retrieved March 15, 2024).
[2] Ibid.
[3] https://www.redcliff.ac.uk. Leading out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership. (Retrieved March 15, 2024).
[4] https://www.alsonmorgan.co.uk. Simon Walker: The Undefended Trilogy, (Retrieved March 15, 2024).
[5] Walker, Simon P. Leading Out of Who You Are: Discovering the Secret of Undefended Leadership (The Undefended Leader Trilogy Book 1) (p. 20). Piquant Editions. Kindle Edition.
[6] Ibid (p 20).
About the Author
Noel Liemam
2 responses to “Moral Authority, Fundamental to Undefended Leadership.”
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Hi Noel, I appreciate you bringing out moral authority as a vital element for leaders. What are some of the personal characteristics that give you as a leader moral authority and reliability?
Hi Joel, I liked that you talked about Biblical leaders in this discussion of leadership. How do you see the difficulties (Moses & Joseph) and failures (David) actually shaped their ability to be leaders?