Empathizing with other people is easier said than done.
Throughout history, there are leaders who try their best to show empathy to their ‘followers’ but they just don’t fit the mold of how they want to be projected – genuinely empathetic persons.
In fact, most of them eventually become the opposite of what they had aspired. The image they had projected for themselves is not the reality the employees feel.
This kind of leaders who project an image far from reality usually are inept. They also do not want to be criticized, as this would trigger their insecurities. They simply want to lead because of the sense of power, influence, not to mention entitlement, the position gives them.
Sadly, these leaders have followers who are attracted to such power – like rats following the pied piper. Usually, these followers are the lowest-of-the-low, don’t have backbone, nor principles, or any form of moral compass. They do not dare bite the hand that feeds them; they invariably kiss that hand, even knowing the dirt behind it.
The problem I see, however, albeit it does not happen in all circumstances, is that Filipinos have this tendency to be subservient to these entitled leaders.
I can only think of three reasons: 1) They don’t want conflict so they avoid it as much as they can; 2) They are sycophantic opportunists who have the ambition to climb the ladder (not based on ranking) for power and influence; and 3) They fear their jobs will be compromised if they do not acquiesce to the leaders’ wishes.
As a result, these behaviors allow more leaders to feel entitled and remain in power as they always find ways to make themselves seem more important or relevant than they actually are.
Whenever the underlings would criticize them, or not do what is asked of them, these entitled leaders resort to intimidation, and warn the subordinates not to bite the hand that feeds them.
Criticisms are not welcome because these leaders do not intend to change; they expect the people below them to adjust and make the changes.
These leaders think the same as the asinine nincompoops who criticize activism as a form of terrorism, or an act of disloyalty to the government. Criticizing, therefore, is seen as an act of biting the hand that feeds them, instead of taking it as a reminder that the hand must be cognizant of its responsibilities, accountable for its actions.
As I’ve always taught my students in History, it only takes one person to question something that is not right, like a grave abuse of power, corruption, or dishonesty. When people start to speak up, their questions cascade to the others who hopefully follow suit.
Consequently, the leaders being criticized will either silence the dissenting voices (like what Marcos did to the activists and the media during Martial Law, or what the Spaniards did to the sympathizers of GomBurZa); or conversely, take it as a way of improving themselves by learning from their mistakes the people pointed out.
In this day and age however, it is quite rare to have that latter reaction.
President Manuel L. Quezon’s words on self-governance: “I would rather have a government run like hell by Filipinos than a government run like heaven by the Americans,” seems like an ominous wish, if you think about it.
Even if we have achieved what Quezon wanted – having the right for self-determination and self-governance with Filipinos ruling fellow Filipinos – we still have a multitude of leaders in government similar to what I had described: inept, insecure, entitled. It’s a pity we have a government run like hell by Filipinos.
We do not seem to have any way out of this in the near future, unless we have a complete overhaul of the system. But if the future leaders and followers remain the way they are, then what good will we get from it?
The best thing we can do is to embrace the sad reality that these types of leaders and followers will always be present in government, or any other institution in general; thus, we have to start practicing dissent.
Expressing dissent does not mean biting the hand that feeds you. (Please do not be manipulated by that statement.) Showing dissent simply means that you are reminding this hand of its responsibilities.
Besides, when you work in government, your boss or supervisor is not the one feeding you as your salary comes from taxpayers’ money.
Thus, you must always stand your ground, and do what is right. Abuse of power and corruption will continue to perpetuate if we do not do anything about it. As British philosopher John Stuart Mill asseverated: “A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case, he is justly accountable to them for injury.”
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