Two Videos That Exemplify Good Leadership

A lot of strife in our nation this day.  More so than most days in the aftermath of the George Floyd riots which continue in some places and in the wake of COVID 19 cresting.

I don’t think we have seen a lot of great leadership in the state of Illinois or City of Chicago on either issue.  As a matter of fact, it could be a textbook on how not to lead.  Instead, watch these videos.  They are powerful in their own ways.

General Brown was recently nominated by President Trump to be the first black person to lead a branch of the military in the history of the US.  Gen Colin Powell was Chair of the Joint Chiefs but never actually led a branch. He grew up in Texas and went to Texas Tech. He was an Air Force pilot and commanded squadrons, did all the dirty work, and commanded the Pacific Air Force. He has had an amazing career and given the cyberwar and other things going on will be very challenged in his new position. He seems up to the challenge.

“As the Commander of Pacific Air Forces, a senior leader in our Air Force, and an African-American, many of you may be wondering what I’m thinking about the current events surrounding the tragic death of George Floyd. Here’s what I’m thinking about…” – Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. pic.twitter.com/I2sf1067L6

— PACAF (@PACAF) June 5, 2020

The other video is from a suburban mayor in Illinois. Mayor Keith Pekau takes five minutes and dismantles Governor Pritzker. It’s perfect and he deserves it. Clearly, Pritzker is not up to the task. Neither is Lightfoot, unfortunately. She’s fighting a Machine, but she is also fighting inner beliefs. Her disgust with free markets and freedom comes through in the way she leads.

We are seeing real-time blast furnaces that are forging some great leaders, and melting others.