Leaders can accomplish great things when morale is high and an organization has momentum. Great leaders know this and work hard to keep the work force motivated and continuously looking for ways to improve and perform at an even higher level. NFL announcers routinely anoint the outcome of the football game to the team with momentum. If you think you can win, you usually do.
Teachers and state workers in Wisconsin right now have been devastated by a lack of leadership on the part of Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. The governor has not sat down with his team, shared the challenges of the organization, and asked for their help in meeting the state’s challenges, as great leaders do in challenging times.
Our teachers and state workers are Midwest nice. They are willing to do what it takes to help the state. But Walker insists on no dialogue, cutting benefits and now he has burned down the collective bargaining bridge that helped teachers and state workers obtain benefits like equal pay for women and men. That link to past fairness is gone and they are concerned about their future and rightly so. Their anger and bitterness is palpable. I’ve lived in Wisconsin all of my adult life. I’ve never felt anything like it.
A great leader works with his organization to keep the “team” focused on the goal of a quality education for our children. Walker has left near total confusion in his path. Confusion is the last thing a leader wants in his organization.
I am not experienced in government economics and I encourage you to judge his budget plan. I hope it is better than his leadership skills.