One aspect I find very interesting about this mayoral race is not only the fact that we have two very respected individuals running for office, but also that these two men come from very diverse backgrounds. Steve Clark is a Representative for the State of Utah, businessman, and a 'born and raised' Provo citizen. John Curtis has a diverse political background, is also a businessman, and has spent many years of his life within our community. These two candidates may differ in issues, but in background they show a hint of similarities. Some may argue that Clark's experience is greater than Curtis', or that Curtis' business is greater than Clark's; I'm not here to take a measure of experience, but what I do care about in a leader is heart. There is a quote that I do enjoy, which I originally heard from Robert Denhardt (which he borrowed from Lance Secretan), author of the book The Dance of Leadership [1], which brings an interesting perspective into the realm of leadership:
"Leadership is not so much about technique and methods as it is about opening the heart. Leadership is about inspiration — of oneself and of others. Great leadership is about human experiences, not processes. Leadership is not a formula or a program, it is a human activity that comes from the heart and considers the hearts of others. It is an attitude, not a routine."
I absolutely love this quote, and I think every inspired word fits beautifully into every good leader any individual has come across. You cannot magically pick up a book about leadership, read the contents, and in the morning be an amazing leader. To be a true leader takes "human experiences" and activities which not only come from the heart of the leader, but also activities which "consider the hearts of others." Both Steve Clark and John Curtis have heart; they both have issues they believe strongly in; both have lifelong experiences, trials, heartaches, and triumphs to bring into the Mayor's Office; and both have extended their hands to the people of Provo to be a leader. In the context of this quote, these candidates need to extend their whole heart, or their entire being, to the people of Provo if they are going to make positive change. It is with this fact where I find myself troubled.
On John Curtis' campaign blog, under the 'Rumors' section, Mr. Curtis talks about his colorful political past as he experimented between parties. There have been many explanations in the public of why he chose to run in two parties for two different political offices, but one explanation he gave troubled me. To be honest, I really do not care what political party you are affiliated with or what office you are running for, just as long as you do so with gusto and confidence in your abilities to lead. In this section, Mr. Curtis talks about how he unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat for public office, but was extended the opportunity to serve as Chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party. Obviously individuals within the Utah Democrats saw potential in Mr. Curtis to trust him with such a high position of leadership, and it is for this reason why I find the following comment so troublesome:
"At the end of the campaign, the Utah county Democrat Party asked me to be their leader. I spent the next few months half heartedly continuing to push my platform of conservatism but ultimately realized that, although I continue to believe in the need for a viable two-party system, I have always been a Republican at heart and I would never be able to fully accomplish my conservative goals within any other Party." (emphasis added) [2]
I don't understand, Mr. Curtis. Earlier in this same exact post you plainly state you ran as a Democrat because you saw the opportunity to fulfill two goals you felt passionate about: "1) to bring the County Democrats back toward a more reasonable position; and 2) to challenge a Republican establishment which I felt had become lazy on true conservative issues." I believe this takes true heart, to run as a Democrat to challenge the "Republican establishment" and to bring Democrats in Utah "back toward a more reasonable position." Yet when you were extended the ideal opportunity to do exactly this as Chairman of the Utah County Democrats, you only "half heartedly" continued to push conservatism, even though you had "always been a Republican at heart."
I have what may be a complex question, possibly more complex than questions about your political history, Mr. Curtis: what exactly does your heart believe in? I appreciate the candor in your statements, but I must admit this appears more as a confession than a mission statement. You believed in something so great that it drove you to extreme measures (as I would think that any 'true conservative' would never run in the ranks of the Democratic Party, simply due to the extreme conflict of interest to political platforms), yet you openly admit that these efforts were simply performed with only half your heart invested into the effort.
This is a most strange and disconcerted statement, Mr. Curtis. You have been very open in public meetings and spread your message all around Provo; truly, you have attempted to show every individual that you want to be mayor with all your heart. Yet I must ask, do you really want to be the mayor of Provo with your whole heart? What if the mayor's responsibilities are not what you came to expect, and you find yourself in another situation similar to being a Chairman for the Utah County Democrats? Will you invest only half your heart into the City of Provo like you did with the Utah County Democrats?
And to the people of Provo, I ask you do you want a leader who has openly admitted that they only gave an effort worthy of half a heart in a key leadership responsibility? In the professional world, oftentimes you are handed responsibilities and tasks that you simply do not like. However, the true professional will hoist these responsibilities upon their shoulders and carry them proudly as if the cause was one they would die for. A leader never picks and chooses what responsibilities they will invest their energy; to a real leader, every negative moment or troublesome issue is an opportunity for true leadership of the heart to shine. Where the social capital of one's life is expelled in a radiant, glorious manner to transform the once negative aspects of a task into a benefit to all those around. To be rudimentary: when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Mr. Curtis, I honestly believe you cannot be a true leader. You have the qualities of leadership, as is shown in your business experience and the beautiful family you have raised hand-in-hand with your wife. However, you do not have the heart to lead Provo into a brighter, better tomorrow. I honestly believe you do not have the confidence in Provo or her people to truly harness the true leadership of heart; you may trust the heart of Provo's people, but I believe it is fair to say you do not understand the capacity or depth of your own heart.
[1] http://www.amazon.com/Dance-Leadership-Leading-Business-Government/dp/076561734X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255930294&sr=1-1
[2] http://www.johncurtis.org/rumors.html
