On the death of an unpopular leader

December 19, 2011 by Joshua
in Freedom, Leadership, NorthKorea

I have read some people pleased with the death of someone they consider responsible for bad things, though muted relative to the rejoicing I saw at the death of Osama Bin Laden in the United States.

Perhaps desired change will come, but I don’t see what one could call good, even if you don’t like him. To those who wanted him punished, he isn’t being punished. Everybody dies.

And as for what happens next, change can happen in many directions, not just ones you hope for. J.R.R. Tolkein’s words on death of someone disliked seem relevant when I hear someone wanting or liking someone else’s death.

Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgment. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.

More to the point, his death doesn’t change the system. It creates the opportunity for internal change, but I predict the system will change little. As my strategy series points out, too many decision-makers have aligned interests in stability.

We’ll see.

Read my weekly newsletter

On initiative, leadership, the environment, and burpees

We won't send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time. Powered by ConvertKit

Leave a Reply

Sign up for my weekly newsletter