When is it time to go? A lot sooner than LaPierre.
Recently, Wayne LaPierre announced his resignation as the long-time executive of the National Rifle Association, citing health reasons. LaPierre began working at the NRA in 1977, serving in many different positions including several as the public head of the organization. During his tenure of leadership, the NRA has been in a multi-year “battle” with the Attorney General of New York, which has included an effort to dissolve the national organization as well as a soon-to-be-started civil trial.
I am not here to take a stand on the NRA or its policies. But I will comment on leadership and how it hurts an organization, a movement, a cause, or an effort when it appears that the leader is more important than the organization.
Controversy is not new to Wayne LaPierre.
He called government federal agents "jack-booted government thugs" who wear "Nazi bucket helmets and black stormtrooper uniforms to attack law-abiding citizens” after Ruby Ridge and Waco incidents
After Sandy Hook, he connected gun violence to “gun-free zones” and called for armed officers in schools
After Parkland, LaPierre commented heavily on the media, elites, and others about the shooting
A video surfaced from 2013 of him shooting an elephant at point-blank range
As a part of the NRA, he and the organization are accused of fraud, misuse of funds, and financial misconduct
There is nothing criminally illegal about any of the above (yet, before any trial). But that, and the purpose and mission of the NRA, is not the point (no matter what you think of the above or the NRA). This has become about Wayne LaPierre. And when it becomes more about an individual, especially with a nonprofit, the mission of the organization is compromised.
Leadership is a precious luxury and a critically undervalued asset. When leadership makes it more about an individual or two rather than the bigger importance of mission, outreach, outcome, and/or purpose, there is no value in the work. There is no intended benefit based on the rationale of the organization’s founding and/or existence.
Here is hoping that any nonprofit leaders focus their attention on driving the true mission of the charity, making a difference for that specific cause, and not elevating themselves to a place where the organization becomes irrelevant—or this case, potentially extinct.
