The Burden of Leadership

We are approaching a political election in a tumultuous time of pandemic and civil unrest. Hoping to gain some clarity for myself ahead of Election Day, I’m rereading a classic over the next week or so. I’m sharing my reflections on it here in case they may be helpful to you also.

One of the greatest bishops in Church history, Pope Gregory the Dialogist, begins his Book of Pastoral Rule thus:

Most dear brother, you reprove me with kind and humble regard for having wished to escape by concealment from the burdens of pastoral care. Now, lest these burdens might appear light to some, I am explaining, by writing this book, how onerous I regard them, so that he who is free from them may not imprudently seek to have them, and he who has been so imprudent as to seek them may feel apprehension in having them.

Gregory’s opening paragraph frames the work as his defense or apology for trying to avoid his office. Following the example of other great bishops, such as John Chrysostom and Gregory of Nazianzus, Gregory of Rome also calls to mind Plato’s philosopher-king from The Republic. Whether secular or religious, ideal or real, whether from a preference to study philosophy or for a life of prayer—none of these rulers wanted their leadership roles.

As we consider those “running for” office rather than running away from it, Gregory’s example suggests the following questions for evaluation:

Who wants it less?

Who feels the burden of it more?

The political culture of the United States doesn’t support the practical application of the first question as it makes an election a competition to win. 

So if I could ask the candidates a question, it would be: For you personally, what is the most burdensome aspect of political leadership?