How to be a great Nation?
“The price of greatness is responsibility” — Winston Churchill
There are different definitions of the great nation; you will have to make one for yourself. “What defines a great nation?” is a highly subjective question. As the centuries pass, nations and countries will appear and disappear. No defined definition however imprinted onto the minds of a nation will become the only eternal truth. Remember that when someone names a nation as great, you do not have to agree. Make up your own mind and do not let others dictate their truth to you.
To me, the journey of being a great nation starts by choosing a better leader. A leader, who is heart-driven and one who identifies with the common man on the street and understands what his country actually needs on every level rather than what corporate sector is demanding.
A leader must be a peacemaker. One, who unites, not divides. A cultured leader always supports true freedom of speech, not censorship. A true leader will not only bail out banks and airlines, but also families from losing their homes or jobs due to their companies moving to other countries. A leader of a great nation will fund schools, not limit spending on education and allow libraries to close. An intelligent leader always chooses diplomacy over war.
Integrity and moral authority are the weapons of a great leader because only a leader with integrity will say what he means and keeps his words and does not lie to his people. Strong, confident yet a humble leader encourages diversity, not racism. He always has the ability to feel the pulse of the farmer, the teacher, the doctor, and the environmentalist — not only the banker, the oil tycoon, or the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyist?
It is a reality that today?s leaders face opportunities and challenges that we could never have imagined just a decade ago. Clearly the challenge of the day is to nurture and develop ethical leadership in all aspects of society. Without ethical and transparent leadership, there can be no open or civil society.
