Page 25 - MFM Aug Sept 2019

level! For the past several decades, we have been in the is empty Temples. For some reason, this doesn’t seem to
midst of a leadership crisis -- and it’s killing us. disturb us because we just keep on repeating the same old
ceremonies -- all by ourselves.
Let’s take a look at “Masonic leadership.” The major
qualifi cation for being a leader in our Fraternity is time. We’re experts in taking care of our buildings. We are
If you can devote the time, you can get to the top. In the proud of the way we respect our Masonic property.
same way, leadership in Masonry is viewed as a “reward Certainly, taking care of our buildings is better than to
for good behavior.” If you do what you’re told, attend a allow them to fall into disrepair. But, once again, we
thousand meetings, and stay in line (in more than one always seem to miss the point. Buildings are for activity
way), you’ll get a jewel hung around your neck. -- and there’s nothing happening of any signifi cance in our
Temples 99% of the time. Again, this doesn’t bother us
We even think that “going through the chairs” is enough to demand action from our leaders.
“training.” As a matter of fact, it is training of sorts. But
what does a man learn? One thing that’s important, he We’re expert at putting men on committees. Take a
learns how to play the game so that by the time he gets look at the roster on any Masonic organization and you’d
to the top he has achieved total ineff ectiveness. He is think that with so many men involved, mountains could
completely useless as a leader! be moved, every name is there. All are neatly printed. All
are in proper order. Yet, it doesn’t seem to bother us that
If we take a closer look how we behave when it comes our committees are little more than empty shells. They
to leadership, the picture becomes quite clear. To put the lack talent, skill and ability. For the most part, they have
matter bluntly, we are experts in putting the emphasis in no power or authority. They are to do as they are told. For
all the wrong places. In other words, we do it backwards. the most part, they are to do nothing.

Masonry suff ers from what I call “The Mussolini If we happen to fi nd a man with talent, we toss a
Syndrome.” Benito Mussolini’s greatest achievement was cabletow around his neck to make sure he doesn’t do
making the trains run on time in Italy. The nation was in anything new or diff erent! Or, as we say in the west, we
total chaos, but the trains left the station on time -- every hog tie him. We only want him to repeat what’s been done
time. This is the way we are as Masons. Here are just a the last 40 years.
few examples.
With all this in mind, why doesn’t Masonry get strong,
We are experts in getting meeting notices out -- on creative leaders -- men who are capable of taking our
time. We meet every deadline. We take pride in such Fraternity into the 21st century?
an accomplishment. The fact that no one comes to the
meetings because they are so dull and boring doesn’t The answer is clear: We don’t want strong leaders! We
seem to distress us. We are experts in keeping accurate don’t want new ideas. We don’t want interesting programs.
records. No one in the world can hold a candle to us when We don’t want excitement. We don’t want the boat rocked.
it comes to record keeping! We are the best! The fact that Anyone who tries to be “diff erent” by being innovative or
the statistics are going down hill at an ever increasing rate creative will have his wings clipped quickly by a group of
doesn’t seem to bother us. The accuracy of the fi gures is men with the term “Past” after their names. This is why
more important than their meaning. we have the type of leaders -- at every level -- we do today.

We are experts in making reports. Our reports are Let’s face it. Our leaders clone themselves by bringing
always in proper form. We always use just the right words in replacements who are like themselves. Over and over
and no one’s name is ever left out. We take inordinate again it happens -- and nothing changes because nothing
pride in our reports. The fact that 99% of our reports are can change. This is our problem.
totally meaningless doesn’t seem to faze us. We ignore
the fact that our reports are all form, totally lacking in A competent man with real leadership potential may
meaningful content. And then we have the audacity to love Freemasonry, but he is not going to spend his valuable
repeat them year after year! Only the names and dates time “doing what he is told,” knocking his head against a
are changed. brick wall, or going through the motions just to get to the
top.
We’re experts in holding ceremonies. Frankly, we’re
good at ceremonies. We practice and practice. We aim at In eff ect, the Masonic leadership message is clear:
perfection. I suppose that’s a noble goal, in a way. What Behave yourself. Put in the time. Don’t rock the boat. Do
seems to escape us is that there’s no one there to see them. as you’re told. Keep your mouth shut. If you speak, just
The membership is disappearing and all we’re left with echo what the “leader” has just said. Don’t come up with
Montana Freemason Page 25 Aug/Sept 2019 Volume 95 No .6