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“Whoever goes to the White House will bring along many others with their personal baggage.” This was a recent post on Twitter.
There was no claim to who would win the election or who they would bring with them. Just a less than 140-characters of information, to think about.
I thought about how this most vital job, of President of the United States, is a great place to analyze the model of how businesses, small and large are so similar. Also, the fact that we all bring baggage from our own history into the work place.
The whole concept of “office politics” is about positioning yourself to be in the right place, at the right time. It’s about favoritism and gossip, to act out back biting and betrayal, to create hurt, fear, or hopes and possibilities.
It’s about the baggage from the past and how it plays into the present time.
So, Twitter person was correct.
Everyone will bring some old baggage into the White House. The question is, how much baggage? And what will they do with it?
I must admit that later in the evening, I was looking for a way to forget about all the election issues that were boiling over. I decided to take a break into the film world of fantasy.
I watched Victor Frankenstein, based on Mary Shelley’s 1818 novel, simply looking for a diversion. It has been filmed many times, with the most creative being Young Frankenstein produced by Mel Brooks.
Victor Frankenstein will not win any Academy Award. However, there is a fascinating link, connecting personal baggage with one of the candidates who has been traveling on the road to the White House. At least, that was what I surmised.
Here is the synopsis:
Young Victor, a brilliant physician, is driven by the need to atone for his indirect role in the death of his older brother who was set upon by a domineering father. It becomes clear that the “monster” Victor created is to be his most important contribution to science and absolve him from his guilt. The monster is just that, a monster doing damage and must be destroyed. At the end, Victor apologizes for all the suffering he caused, and retreats to the countryside in search of new (hopefully positive) discoveries.
The film has a contemporary flair. It shows how vital it is to search inside yourself, and when opportunities occur, you can travel with less old baggage.
What if all leaders had the courage to look at old, ingrained behaviors that repeat and repeat? What if all leaders were required to observe, understand and transform outdated and unresolved behaviors before they cause damage?
I’d love to hear your thoughts on leaders you have worked with or know who have taken the time to do a deep dive into their personal past and the results.
