A nation together is a nation in victory. Dividing for the sake of leading has hardly yielded national fruits. Using others for personal gain in the guise of nationalism is in itself detrimental to the course. The greatness of a country depends on the quality of its leaders and the knowledge of the electorate on policies. Countries rise and fall by the decisions of those leading and by the complaisancy of those with power. Being a patriot doesn’t mean being fed propaganda and conspiracies – for both defeats nationalism. False nationalism feeds on propaganda, conspiracies, and hate. Know these when you live the signs. You mustn’t die for less, and you mustn’t die for more at the expense of humanity. You mustn’t die in order to make it in life, especially when safety and security is prioritized. Live to enjoy the fruits of thy struggles and victory – for thy nation shall always be there for thee. True victory is winning without compromising your core – the soul of good in thee that has no boundaries. The enemies are sometimes an artificial construct given to you by others in control. You mustn’t use hate as a drive or as a strategy. Hate always hurts the whole in the long-term but profits the particulars in the present term. Unable to criticize a leader is a sign of dictatorship or tyranny of a few and oppression of the weak and vulnerable.
Humans should believe in their leaders, especially if the people elected them or gave them consensual or consensus power. Galvanizing the people for the nation’s call mustn’t be diabolical or intentionally misleading. Humans like to rally behind their leader for the sake of nationalism or patriotic appeals. But it’s for the leader to not misuse the sacred trust or squander the patriotic opportunity. Leadership needs believers and a drive to believe in something larger than self but dignified enough for national glory. Glorifying a nation is different from lying to a nation. Lying to a nation isn’t patriotism or nationalism, but taking advantage of The People’s Love for Country. Leading by dividing is exploiting differences for personal gain. When it’s all about the leader, then it’s nothing for the people. It hurts a nation to be lied to by their leaders or used for votes for particular unpatriotic ends. There is no politician without love for the country, and there is no country without politicians looking out for themselves.
A good leader thinks of the people, especially the lease amongst us. A good leader feels the pain, hurts, struggles, and sacrifices of the people. A good leader can’t betray honesty, especially on critical matters, that can’t escape public scrutiny. A good leader goes to bed questioning if they deed good to the country or held their oath of office. Time passes, and the leader starts to feel the consequences of dividing a nation for personal strategic gains. There are always moments of redemption for a wise leader not to squander. Leadership is tough, and decision-making is harder. But there is no excuse for refusing good counsel and refuting verifiable facts – especially when it’s for all to see and embarrassing to the course. Leaders sometimes double down on ambiguities, but not contradictions. The public is always forgiving of their leaders, especially if such leaders are actually there for the people. Which leader is without fault, or flops, or missteps, or challenging moments? But don’t keep digging while everyone else is trying to help you help yourself out of a situation that you put yourself in. A wise leader knows when public opinion is mounting and when to double down or dial back, or seek consensus on matters of national security or nation’s pride.
Going it alone has always led leadership in crises, especially when retreat is seen as defeat or staying the course is seen as desperation. The people will rally behind their leader no matter what, as some will say, but it isn’t only a matter of time for such trust to fade. Very few can be geniuses competent leaders for a purpose. Seek to elect or appoint reasonable, rational, logical, competent, and empathetic leaders, especially when compassion for the lease amongst us or tolerance for opposition or contrary opinion is becoming a scarce mineral. If the leader can’t take the heat and weather the storm or overcome bruises to reputational damage, then how can such a leader face a real national enemy or an existential humanitarian crisis? Don’t expect the unexpected from leaders anyways – they are but humans as well. Appreciate the genuine efforts they make and national challenges they overcome or the proactive or preemptive steps they take. Appreciate the sleepless nights and consequential or ethical dilemmas they undergo. They wish they can do better, but sometimes are limited by opposition roadblocks. Still, consensus can always be reached on critical national security matters.
Intelligence matters in leadership, but the leader without a heart for all the people hardly turns the nation around. A leader comes in with hope, a mandate, and trust, and gradually, it’s squandered by missteps, false projection, miscalculations, misreadings, and sometimes underestimation of consequential enemies, or rush to impulsive decisions. The people are always forgiven to those they elected and hope they can understand their plight, suffering, and genuine grievance or expectations. A leader who ignores a segment of the population is soon left in the minority. It’s easy for a leader to fulfill their promises but controversial at best. A wise leader, once elected, seeks the middle but stays true on principles. Great leaders don’t govern a group, they govern a country – All The People. Leaders will come and go, their records will be polished, but consequential decisions will hardly be erased from memory. Now in office, govern as a farmer who takes care of all the crops, as a doctor who takes care of all the patients; or as a parent who loves all the children without discrimination.
You’re lucky to be a leader, you’re blessed to be loved, and fortunate to be the one who is called upon to make a difference in the lives of others. Who are we to be judgemental of leaders when they can judge themselves to adjust their policies or listen to the voices of righteous indignation to humbled. The people spoke, and politicians shouldn’t ignore that trust. The People shall speak again. They will always do. They are the voters. They are the ones who choose their leaders. They will critique, scrutinize, and salvage the policies of their elected officials, hoping they do better, hoping they succeed. Are you there to care for the people and a nation and the instruments of governance? Are you there for Nation or Self? Will you be there when the people need thee, when the nation is in crisis, when humanity asks more from thee?The Choice of Leadership is thee. Govern with wisdom.
American Philosopher
Prince Israel Zaar
07.23.2026
