Leadership shock
November 21, 2007 by Miki Saxon
I commented a few days ago that a politician practicing leadership sounded like an oxymoron, but I may have run into just that situation.
SnoCo sheriff puts political rivals in leadership jobs
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
EVERETT, Wash. — Newly elected Snohomish County Sheriff John Lovick has made two political opponents part of his leadership team.
Two men who ran against him, sheriff’s Chief Tom Green and Lt. Rob Beidler (BY’-dler), have agreed to join his command staff when he takes office in January.
The sheriff says he was impressed by his opponents on the campaign trail.
Greene says he agreed to take the job overseeing special operations and technical support because he wants to keep serving the community. Beidler, who will oversee administrative services, says they’re putting the election behind them.
Just think, three guys who vied for the same political office, with the winner confident enough to want the best talent available and the two who lost willing to put their egos aside for the public good.
All practicing real leadership—just in time for Thanksgiving.
Amazing.
I may faint.
I believe Abraham Lincoln did the same thing with the men he defeated to become President. There’s a lesson to be learned here.
Oh, Casey, I do so love your optimism, but it’s doubtful that that lesson will be learned any time soon this century.
It’s probably my paranoid mind, is it not a good way to share the wealth and ensure that no opponents remain ?
I am such a cynic.
You’re not a cynic, Denis, you’re a realist and no more paranoid than I, but on the plus side it’s a better use of talent than to stick it on the self.
Actually, it could strengthen them for the next election by keeping then in the public eye.
I’m really impressed by the humility of the two going to work for the man who defeated them. Wow! Talk about subordinating one’s ego for the good of the team. That’s great leadership.
I know I shouldn’t, but I find a certain ironic amusement in our reactions—hope, amazement, cynicism—when we see public figures who act not as we expect, but as we want.