Bully Pulpits....

I've been reading a book entitled, "The Contrarian's Guide To Leadership", written by Steven Sample.

In this book, Sample uses a phrase which I have found to be both delightfully funny, and oddly thought provoking.

What phrase is this, you ask?

Well, there are many such phrases in Sample's book; but in this instance, the phrase I am thinking of is this one: "the bully pulpit of the American presidency". (If you desire to know the context in which Sample uses this phrase, you will need to obtain your own copy of the "The Contrarian's Guide" and read for yourself.)

"Bully pulpit"....

All morning long those two words have resonated within me. I've found myself remembering my own experiences and reflecting upon those moments throughout my life where I was forced to listen to the thoughts and opinions of others. I've also reflected upon the ways in which I've made use of my own "bully pulpits".

One that immediately jumped to my mind was the "bully pulpit of parenting". Now, I don't like to bully my children; but the sad reality is that many parents do bully their children into submission.

I like to think that I'm more creative with my bullying than some parents, but in the end, a bully is a bully regardless of their tactics.

Another area where I have been known to make use of the "bully pulpit", is within my own marriage. How many times have I railed upon my own husband? How many times have I tried to control his behavior and to manipulate his thinking? If I am honest, than I must admit to doing this more times than I care to admit.

I suppose at this point it might be helpful to know how I define a "bully pulpit".

Well, a bully pulpit is traditionally defined "as a public office of sufficiently high rank that it provides the holder with an opportunity to speak out and be to listened to on any matter".

I would simply extend that definition to include not only positions within public office, but positions within any organization....family, school, church, ect.

The primary problem I have with bully pulpits is that they neither empower nor convert. The sense of power experienced on the bully pulpit is illusory. The conversion demanded from the bully pulpit, even when achieved, is also largely illusory. (Plus the fact that bullying is just morally reprehensible on so many levels.)

And yet, on some level, the bully pulpit does work. Why else would it be so commonly employed in our government, business/social institutions and personal relationships? As a society, we can even derive pleasure from observing the antics of those standing at a bully pulpit. The American Idol auditions are a good case in point.....

So, let me just tie all this up by asking you, where are your bully pulpits? What do you gain by using them? What do you lose?

Me?

I think I gain but a little and lose far more.