[August 27, 2018] If there is one fear a good leader has it’s that deceit must be recognized for what it is and confronted. Unsurprisingly, there are leaders who would use deceit to further their own selfish ends. For example, in 1956 China the travesty of deceit was used in their Hundred Flowers Campaign to root out intellectuals and punish those in opposition to Communism.
“It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit.” – Noël Coward, English playwright
This blog article is not about the Hundred Flowers Campaign and thus not a history lesson. Yet, like China’s leader Mao Zedong at the time, I want to make emphasize the point that many leaders employ deceit as a workable method to achieve their desired endgame. The Hundred Flowers Campaign was used by Mao to encourage criticism of China’s communism. Once those voices were heard, regime critics were identified and subjected to severe retribution.
Here’s a second and just as important point. Deceit is a common tactic employed by governments in socialist-styled countries and common in most human relationships. The state is supreme and cannot ever be subjected to criticism. Mao’s method was one of the greatest deceits ever played upon a population in the 20th Century. Many paid the price of “freedom” with their lives.
Deceit is difficult to detect. That is the purpose; to make it difficult for a person to learn about at all or to discover it too late for action. The cure? Detecting it swiftly and then taking action.
Relevant experiences and a keen intellect are the solutions undermining deceit. Leaders must be on the lookout, constantly, for such trickery. What matters most is that a leader has good character and continues to lead people to a common goal and do so with dignity and honor.
Very good article. Like others have noted, there is a connection between deceit and violence. Maybe, Gen. Satterfield, you could write an article that addresses this issue. Thank you for your consideration.
Thanks Nick, for the suggestion. Keep your recommendations coming this way.
Want to find a contemporary example of “deceit and violence” in practice. Go to Victor Davis Hanson’s article. He talks about the current media-fueled trend of Confederate statue smashing on college campuses. What is at the base of their frenzied zeal? Deceit.
https://amgreatness.com/2018/08/26/the-ideology-of-statue-smashing/
Great comment.
Good point, Albert. Thank.s
Another good article. Thanks, Gen. Satterfield.
It has always been my opinion that deceit has another sister human trait that seems to follow and that is violence. Wherever there is deceit, there is violence. This is not an original idea from me but others have said it before too. I think that anyone who is willing to use deceit around people they should trust, lacks the good character not to use violence (at some level) to also get what they want.
Thank you Max. Yes, laziness does cause constant pain for many.
Great point, Max.
We use deceit in our intelligence agencies to overcome a foe who plans to harm us. But when we use this same technique on people who we should have trust in, the dynamic is so different. My time in the FBI showed me that one needs to be careful how to use “deceit” and its value and risks.
Good points here, Jelly. Always good to see you on https://www.theleadermaker.com website.
‘In a time of universal deceit – telling the truth is a revolutionary act.’
One of my favorite, all-time best quotes.
“Integrity is the lifeblood of democracy. Deceit is a poison in its veins.” Really great quote from Edward Kennedy who was, ironically, a very deceitful man.
Good quotes guys. Thanks.
Ah …. a Monday morning topic worth reading about. Deceit is the bane of human existence. The reason, as aptly stated in this article, is that it involves the destruction of “trust” which is the basis of human interaction. That is why the Catholic Church is having such a difficult time right now. No one trusts the leaders anymore.
Spot on comment. Thanks Willie.
“Pope refuses to comment on ex-Vatican official’s sex abuse cover-up claim.” News article link https://www.france24.com/en/20180827-pope-francis-vatican-refuses-comment-sex-abuse-cover-claim-mccarrick
This is what makes the Pope look deceitful. Too bad.
It will be worthwhile for us to follow this whole business of what is happening in the Catholic Church. It is an example of leadership having to deal with serious damage control. The loss of trust is the last thing an organization should have to deal with in order to bring itself back. Let’s see how they do it.
Thanks for a taking on a tough topic; deceit. Books could be written about it and there have been considerable classic writings on it. Funny thing, however, is that I don’t see much written on it today. The reason, I think, is that deceit is more acceptable today than ever before.
Good quote by Noel Coward, the playwright. Very appropriate.
Deceit is used all the time by people to get what they want. Too bad that they cannot rely upon their own good graces and skills. Deceit is easier but also riskier.
I think you just hit the reason why people do stupid stuff all the time; it’s easier. Perhaps they lack the skills or more likely they are just lazy.
More people should know about this time in China and how the same thinking has caused massive human suffering on a scale that is simply beyond the capability of any person to understand. Deceit is a very troubling human failing.
Good point, Army Captain.
Thanks Army Captain for your service and adding to the knowledge of this website. I read your comments every day.