Peter Principle



 

“Silent leaders earn greater respect because they prepare others for leadership roles.” Dr. BLR

 

The world often produces some of the most impressive individuals. Surprisingly, they come from all walks of life. Many are simply naturally brilliant and born that way. We cannot replicate the depth of their knowledge because it’s innate, with no logical explanation to justify it—just something to accept. 

However, some believe they belong to that class and can’t be told otherwise. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in this predicament. Leaders are placed in important roles based on either their past job descriptions or perceived abilities. I can’t count how many times I’ve seen this happen with negative results. Well, here we are again. 

One thing my military and law enforcement background has taught me is that some people excel at convincing others of their abilities, even when they don't know much about what the job really involves.There are many intangible qualities that some people contribute that are not shown in a test or an interview. In a constantly changing demographic landscape, all societies rely on their citizens’ skills to find their diamonds in the rough. 

As the world watches what the United States is doing to increase the prices of gasoline and food, they are undoubtedly mocking our leadership choices. In the business world, if anyone has the potential to harm the global economy, those individuals would be removed immediately. 

Yet the most powerful person on this planet, President Donald J. Trump, has chosen individuals he believed were best qualified to lead our nation at various levels of government. Additionally, he has dismissed people he considered unqualified. It’s no secret that minorities and women were his targets, only to be replaced mostly by white males, with a few white females, whom he anointed and then removed. 

A closer look at those still in the current administration reveals many unqualified sycophants promoted to positions of incompetence, as explained in Laurence J. Peters and Raymond Hull’s book, The Peter Principle. If the leader cannot identify the competence of his appointees, what does that say about him? 

No need to wonder. He is neither a true leader now nor has he ever been one. He was elevated and rewarded by the broader electorate to lead, but the outcomes remain uncertain. His poor decisions reflect more on us than on him. Furthermore, the actions of those he appointed to powerful positions—such as former Attorney General Pam Bondi, probably a good state Attorney General, but left much to the imagination on the big stage. Next up, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, someone who was initially a never-Trumper but changed her tune when he came calling. Then there’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller. Well, what can I say? He is the epitome of the kid who got his lunch money taken and is now trying to flex because he has the ear of a senior citizen. Lastly, there is Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, a polished communicator, but someone lacking the true credentials for his role, who has no qualms, and I mean none, of either firing or relieving from duty exceptionally qualified minority men and women, who made him feel insecure. President Trump’s cabinet members were all chosen, I believe, for their strong loyalty to him.  

I've never been much of a betting man, but I anticipate some others will be either fired or relieved of duty in the coming months. The obvious fact that they will be white because, aside from the one Black cabinet member, all of President Trump’s appointments lack diversity. Is this what leadership looks like moving forward, where no one else’s opinions, voices, or thoughts matter? 

America, we need to wake up, acknowledge that a mistake was made, take responsibility for it, and change our course to get back on track. History will judge President Trump’s leadership, and I don’t expect it to be favorable, but hopefully, we will learn never to repeat this mistake if we want to keep our republic.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The rise of the First Amendment

Image
“Social media has provided an opportunity for the misinformed to become the voice of the miseducated.” Dr. BLR   As a strong supporter of the First Amendment, I am disappointed that, in this era of political correctness, voices are being silenced on both sides of the political spectrum. A lively debate fosters intellectual growth, regardless of how unpopular someone's opinion may be. In this context, I will discuss the recent death of Charlie Kirk (Kirk) at a speaking event on the campus of Utah Valley University. For the record, I knew nothing about him before his untimely passing, until I visited his website and the algorithmic whirlpool directed his information my way. Unapologetically, I have a selective indifference to his death because I didn’t know him. Nonetheless, I genuinely appreciate young people, even if their views are controversial, stepping up and speaking out on issues that will impact their future. Some examples include Nick Fuentes, Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, La...
Read more

Losing my brother

Image
“As you lay on your deathbed, I looked into your eyes and knew you were ready for the next chapter, and my sorrow for your departure was eased.” Dr. BLR   In a chaotic world, you can never predict what will happen next. Life has a way of surprising us. Yet at some point, you have to expect the unexpected. Earlier this year, I lost my twin brother, Aaron Keith Royster. It hurts to write these words because I am still grieving, and I hope that writing this will help with the process. I don’t think there’s a stronger bond than being a twin, whether identical or fraternal. My brother and I were born about four minutes apart. I wanted to stay in my mother’s womb a little longer, so I kicked him out for my special entrance. Our bond lasted for the next sixty years. My earliest memory of being a twin is from when I was around three or four years old, when my father was trying to teach us how to box. He rewarded us afterward with colorful licorice candy. Unfortunately, not long after,...
Read more

Not my enemy

Image
Not my enemy “I can’t believe what you say because I see what you do.”  James Baldwin   No one will ever fully agree on controversial issues or people. Recently, someone reappeared in my life after a period of silence. Assata Olugbala Shakur (also known as JoAnne Deborah Byron and JoAnne Chesimard), an African-American woman, was convicted of murdering a New Jersey State Trooper, Werner Foerster, on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1973. As a retired New Jersey State Trooper (NJSP), I feel conflicted about why I have allowed her to occupy space in my mind. She allegedly killed a state trooper, and law states she should have spent the rest of her life in prison. However, I wasn’t entirely convinced she was guilty.  Growing up as a young Black man in Newark, New Jersey's inner city, I often heard about our struggles to survive within an oppressive, predominantly white, male-dominated system. I vaguely remember the 1967 riots in Newark, but later I researched the NJSP’s role ...
Read more