https://www.humantruth.info/leaders.html
By Vexen Crabtree 2026
Leading a democracy is about supporting a process that allows everyone a voice, and everyone's rights to be protected. Whether in the guise of a President or a Prime Minister, good leadership is about defending clear values, encouraging positive relations between different factions, and having the boldness and intelligence to convince the people of the worth of Government's actions, through reason, backed by testable evidence. Conversely, an autocracy is about the leader's personality and friendships, where loyalists' voices are heard above all, and loyalists are protected above all. The democratic process encourages peace and stability, and the autocratic method sprouts inefficiency, distrust, political corruption, disenfranchement with politics and eventually violent rebellion. Instead of ruling through power and anger, to be a good leader, you must be well-versed in history, so the nation can avoid its mistakes; and in humanity, so that others are willing to be led.
A democratic leader supports processes within government that allow supporters, doubters and detractors all to have a say, to raise concerns, to be part of the machinery of government. This is right, because, they are elected people. The leader of a democracy isn't there just for people he likes, but they must have the discipline and wisdom to stand above internal divisions. Likewise, the Leader of a Democracy must ensure that his Departments are themselves listening to their people, to all the different strata of society. Government isn't there for some people but for everyone in a country, even if those people dissent, insult or hate the current government. It's better to listen to nasty voices, to attempt to bring people along, than it is to reject people and have them resort to actions, not words. No Leader should accept advisors who simply agree with them. A Leader must demand that his friends and advisors are critical.
And so a Leader is strong, which means, they are humble. It's not about their opinion, it's about the power with which they bring committee conclusion to Government. The brave leader has no ego, and is just a vessel, working for others. A Leader of historical worth embodies firm ideals, well-argued, that apply to all people, not just to favoured groups in society. With traits of intelligence, a clear and articulate voice, a defender of the Rule of Law, and the political face of someone who can maintain international relations through treating allies as colleagues, and being clear in condemning atrocities, a Leader of a Nation is also a symbol of humanity.
A Democratic Leader fears, above all, loyalists. Those who seek power through favours, influence through friendship, or backroom deals without openness with their own constituents, are undermining the entire democratic method. The sneaky friends are the Democratic Leader's worst nightmare: it is nice to hear the voices of sycophants, but, it bodes poorly for making wel-informed choices.
A Leader must be willing to challenge anyone and demand are you willing for this conversation to be public? Politicians that are not open for public scrutiny of their actions do not belong in the circle of the Leader.