By JAMIE ALLARD
Great leadership is not about having all the answers, it’s about motivating people to do what’s right. Great leaders will listen to the concerns of their constituency and make principled policy decisions. Great leaders have the vision to employ the individual strengths of their team to accomplish a strategic end state.
Principled politicians are loyal and trustworthy. They will keep their campaign promises. They will listen, learn, and respond according to principled values. They will attract competent staff with the same commitment, dedication, and devotion to those values. Integrity and selfless service are not just “buzz-words”; they are the foundation of competent leadership. Great leaders set the example for others to follow.
A successful government requires great leadership. Elected officials manage budgets, set policies, and establish law. Elected officials are entrusted by their constituents to follow statutes and make principled decisions. We should expect performance excellence from both our elected officials and their staff. Leaders should seek and accept all responsibility for the performance of their team.
Juneau is a tricky place. Some legislators surround themselves with staff who influence their decisions and negatively impact their votes. This is not the type of insightful representative leadership they were elected to provide. We, as lawmakers, must lead by example and stay true to the values for which we were elected. Working with those who lie, cheat, and/or steal is an abomination to the U.S. Constitution, the Alaska Constitution, and to those Alaskans who demand honesty, integrity, and loyalty.
As Alaskans, when we send a representative to Juneau, we trust they are going to serve the community they represent to the best of their ability. They must listen to the concerns of the constituents, and vote accordingly. They must keep their campaign promises, prove their trustworthiness, and remain loyal to their principles. They must adjust to the demands of their constituency and respond accordingly. They must motivate their staff to address adjustments to policy. If the staff is unwilling to do so, they should be replaced.
Leaders are responsible for the actions of their team and are accountable to their constituents for their actions. The team should receive credit for the success, but the leader hods the sole responsibility for failure. As Alaska voters, it is our duty to hold these elected officials accountable. If elected officials don’t meet our standard of excellence, fire them at the ballot box.
Legislators work for you, your community, and the great state of Alaska. Vote wisely on Nov. 8, and remember to hold your elected officials accountable.
Jamie Allard is an Anchorage Assembly member for Chugiak, Eagle River and JBER, and is a candidate for House District 23.
