Issue160 【Synergy小组】

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Issue160："The most essential quality of an effective leader is the ability to remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives. Any leader who is quickly and easily influenced by shifts in popular opinion will accomplish little."

Should an effective leader remain consistently committed to particular principles and objectives, instead of easily and quickly influenced by shifts in popular opinion? I agree with the speaker to the extent that it is important for leaders to have certain principles and objectives and stick to them. However, leaders should also listen to popular opinions in many cases, and they should never blindly and stubbornly hold on their aims; otherwise, they may lead to deleterious consequences, not only to himself, but also to the whole society.

Undoubtedly, few leaders without some particular principles and objectives can success. As a leader, one should know what he or she pursues, what should be done, and what is forbidden. They are the individuals who lead the populace to achieve success, thus they should possess the outstanding perception of the world and enjoy the distinguished charisma. If they just listen to the opinions of populace and can not decide anything on themselves, then there is no reason to ask them to be the leaders, and in that case, anyone could be a leader. Obviously, leaders should have some special qualities and committing to particular principles and objectives is one of them.

However, in most cases, leaders should also consider the popular opinion and then make the appropriate decision. Take business leaders as an example, what is the fashion at present? What the people favor? What about the customers’ advise? These should be answered in order to gain the profit and market share. Also, political leaders should care about people’s attitudes about the polices and regulations. Absolutely sticking to stubborn principles and objectives is ineffectual and counterproductive.

More seriously, blindly and falsely consistently committed to particular principles and objectives may do great harm to leaders themselves and even the whole society. The most compelling illustration involves Hitler. No one could deny his outstanding ability and effectiveness, and no one could deny he consistently committed to principles and objectives, but no one could accept the idea that he is a successful leader. Since what he pursues brought wars and actually a disaster to the world, why do we need such kind of leader? Leaders should guide us to freedom, peace, democracy, and prosperity. Therefore, at the basic level, leaders must consistently stick to good principles or aims, not the evil ones.

In sum, it is necessary for leaders to have their own ideas and hold on to them and this is the basic quality any leader requires. Nevertheless, popular opinion should never be underestimated and some false and harmful objectives should be abandoned.