Heroes or Horrors?

Scandal is not new to our world. In the past year, there have been many: David Letterman, Governor Mark Sanford, and Senator John Ensign, are only a few who have hit national headlines. The reputations of those once held in high esteem by others suddenly come crashing to the ground (in Letterman’s situation, that may not be the case) when their private deeds are exposed…not usually by their choice. Why are we surprised?

We want heroes. We want people we can emulate and look up to: people who have integrity and who are willing and able to hold themselves to a higher standard of living. We put political, religious and community leaders on pedestals and expect them to somehow be more than human. When those leaders start believing what others are saying about them and keeping themselves on those pedestals, watch out… Someone is about to come tumbling down. And then we’re in shock and become devastated at the horror of it all.

Poet and novelist Alice Walker says, “Nobody is as powerful as we make them out to be.” And yet don’t we all project on to others our expectations, hopes and dreams about who we think they are and who we think they should be? But people are just people. Even the greatest leaders are mere human beings.

Many have said David Letterman seems more “human” since the news of his affairs with female assistants surfaced on his show. But Letterman, himself, admitted that he had “deeply” hurt his wife, and in order to repair the damage done, he told the country on national television, “I’ve got my work cut out for me.”

Is it right to hold those who have positions of great responsibility and influence to a higher standard? Should they hold themselves to a higher standard? Perhaps we should ask a different question. What is required of someone who would lead or be a role model for others? That question shifts the focus and responsibility to an internal standard, rather than an arbitrary external one.

If someone is willing to keep facing his own demons, his own faults and failures and work toward healing them…while celebrating all of his joys and successes, he is on a courageous journey. If that person is willing to be accountable to others who will be honest with him, he is wise. If that person is able to admit his mistakes to others, not if, but when he makes them, while working at restoring the relationships which may have been damaged, then, in my mind, he may be worthy of leading others.

Do you know someone who is a hero or a horror? The question is, does your hero have what it takes to be able to honestly look inside, with a “right-sized” perspective or are you following a horror in the making?

Godspeed, David Letterman, (and all others) on your journey of self discovery.