Leadership, Followership, and the Vision for Canada

By Tom Marazzo, Captain (Ret’d) Canadian Army, 20 January 2025

Should a politician be a leader or a follower? This question has often troubled me. We call them representatives, yet we also refer to them as leaders. Are we not, in a sense, abdicating responsibility for our country's direction by expecting them to lead us? When a politician is a leader, they make decisions based on their vision. When they are a representative, they are tasked with advocating for what we, the people, want.

Far too often, the relationship between politicians and citizens feels more like a Power of Attorney arrangement—we sign over our authority and disengage from providing clear guidance about the direction we want for our country. The result is a vacuum where neither true leadership nor authentic representation occurs. The question arises: can we have it both ways? Can we lead our politicians while also following them? Perhaps the answer lies not in leading or following, but in aligning.

Today, after watching the U.S. Presidential inauguration, I believe I have found clarity.

Consider President Trump. He spent years traveling across America, declaring a clear and compelling vision for the country. He identified the nation’s problems and, rather than retreating to a comfortable retirement, he chose to act. He didn’t need the presidency—he chose it to serve a purpose greater than himself. What guided him seemed to be rooted in Christian morals, ethics, and values—the very foundations upon which America’s liberty was built. Whether one is Christian or atheist, it is undeniable that these principles created a framework that allowed freedom and liberty to flourish.

Trump did not follow. He did not campaign on empty slogans or rely solely on polling data to shape his message. Instead, he outlined a bold vision for America to reclaim its greatness, and Americans supported that vision with their votes. This was not a transactional relationship where citizens delegated their will; it was an agreement. He provided the vision, and they provided the mandate.