There is a strange yet interesting tragedy in our society: everyone considers themselves a leader, but when it comes time to take responsibility, suddenly everyone remembers some urgent task. We rank among the world’s leading nations in giving advice, yet in the of action we often lag behind. It feels as though leadership is an honor and responsibility a burden-and we have embraced the honor while setting the burden down on the ground.
This column is not about any particular group; it is about all of us. Within each of us lives a little “leader” and a little citizen who avoids responsibility. Whether at the tea table, in an office room, or on social media, solutions to national problems are presented within minutes. How will the economy recover? What should foreign policy be? How should the education system change? Everyone has a ready prescription. It seems as if, if the reins of the country were handed to us, everything would be fixed within six months.
But the question is: the person who does not take a step to clean the street in their own neighborhood-on what basis do they dream of reforming the country? The one who does not arrive at the office on time-how can they speak of national discipline? The one who considers tax evasion a sign of cleverness-how can they desire a transparent economy?
We are all leaders, yet the first condition of leadership-readiness to accept responsibility-appears to be lacking. Another national pastime we enjoy is blame-shifting. Instead of reaching the root of any problem, we immediately hold someone responsible. If electricity fails, the government is at fault; if the road breaks, institutions are incompetent; if inflation rises, it is an international conspiracy. Rarely do we look at our own share of shortcomings.
Certainly, rulers have their responsibilities-but a society is not made by rulers alone. As citizens, we too have duties: obeying the law, maintaining cleanliness, practicing honesty, and observing discipline. These shape collective character. If every individual considers themselves exempt, how can collective improvement be possible?
The digital age has produced a new kind of leadership: the “keyboard leader.” These individuals react instantly to every issue, criticize every policy, and summarize complex matters in a few sharp sentences. Their writing is intense, their words cutting, and their tone passionate. But when it is time to enter the practical field-such as participating in a welfare campaign, supporting an educational activity, or making a serious effort to solve local problems-the enthusiasm often fades. The desire to be a leader remains, but the demands of responsibility seem difficult.
If said with a touch of irony: we want change, but we do not want to carry its weight on our own shoulders.
Leadership does not mean giving speeches; it means setting an example. A true leader is one who first does what they expect from others. If they speak of integrity, they must themselves be honest. If they emphasize discipline, they must be punctual. If they preach simplicity, they must practice it in their own life. Unfortunately, we have associated leadership only with titles, positions, and stages. We think that without a microphone, we cannot be leaders.
Yet the head of a household, a class monitor, a team leader in an office, or a neighborhood committee worker-all bear responsibility for leadership at some level. But do we take that responsibility seriously?
We often lament the condition of the country, yet we do not maintain order, respect, and tolerance within our own homes. How then can these values emerge in society? If parents themselves treat violation of the law as normal, how can they expect their children to be law-abiding? Leadership begins at home. When a father or mother teaches children to tell the truth, keep promises, and value punctuality, they are laying the foundation of a better society. But if we only advise and do not act ourselves, the message loses its strength.
In offices, one often hears the phrase: “This is not my job.” Files travel from one desk to another, yet the courage to make a decision is rarely seen. Everyone refers to their “limits,” but hesitates to take responsibility for solving the problem. In markets, people complain about prices but seldom insist on a receipt. We want transparency, yet avoid adopting transparent practices. In other words, we want the system to improve-but without paying the price of changing our own conduct.
A nation is formed when individuals share a sense of collective responsibility. If everyone is limited to personal gain and ignores the collective good, society may become a crowd-but never a nation.
We often say we do not get good leaders. Perhaps we should also ask: are we ready to be good followers? Are we willing to obey the law, pay taxes, and adopt discipline? Because in a society of responsible citizens, leadership is also more accountable.
If I put it lightly, it seems as though inside each of us sits a small prime minister, an economist, and a political analyst. We are accustomed to giving opinions on every issue-but when it is time to set up chairs for a neighborhood meeting, our schedules suddenly become busy. This satire is actually a mirror; we should look at our own reflection in it.
If everyone only talks and no one acts, how will the system function? If everyone wants to give orders and no one wants to work, how will progress be made? These small steps may seem minor, but collectively they form the foundation of major change.
We all desire to be leaders-and that is a good thing. A nation needs confident and aware individuals. But before becoming leaders, it is essential to become responsible citizens. Before placing the crown of leadership on our heads, we must lift the burden of responsibility onto our shoulders.
Perhaps the time has come to change our sentence-from “This is not my job” to “This too is my responsibility.” Instead of blaming others, we must play our part. Because if we truly dream of leadership, we must also accept that leadership is not only about honor-it is also about accountability. Otherwise, we will continue claiming to be leaders while handing responsibility over to someone else.
