Have you ever been inspired by a single person to the point where you are willing to follow this person to the end of the earth? Ever been so influenced by this person's vision and philosophy that it has changed your life? This power to inspire and move a large group of people is very rare and never has there been a time when we need an inspirational figure to rally around as there is now.
Where are the Gandhis, the MLKs, the Mandelas......leaders who could mobilize an entire nation.
Could it be that we have become a cynical bunch who would never believe anybody who stood up on a soapbox and offered us deliverance from all that ails us? Could it be that we have it so good that we do not need a great leader to rise and lead us? Could it be that it is only when things get really bad that the great leaders amongst us arise? Surely that cannot be true. India and its poor are in dire straits and she could do with a leader with an inspirational message that rings true for people from all across the country. Or could it be that the Mayavatis and the Lalloos are thought of as exactly these types of leaders?! Scary thought!!
The fact is that people like to be led. They want someone to believe in and pin their hopes on. There are numerous examples of movie stars having success in politics because people believe that their on-screen persona (brave, honest) is how they really are! That's the same reason why Oprah Winfrey has such a wide following amongst women (black and white). That's the same reason why Diego Maradona can come to Calcutta and bring the city to a screeching halt and why Rajanikant can decide an election just by uttering a few words of support for a particular candidate.
Speaking of leaders, Obama is being thought of as "The One". He has the captured the collective consciousness of the country and he could rise and be great if he wanted to. Or he could end up being just your typical politician.
I once asked a friend if he had ever been inspired by anybody and he mentioned Jesus Christ. I envy those that can put their trust in a religion and expect to be shown the light. Personally, I prefer my leaders to walk the earth in my time.
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There are people who like to be led and then there are people who like to be influenced / inspired. If we each got enough inspirational people in our lives, we could then potentially do without the need for a single leader (although that would be nice).
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