The O’Toole Chronicles: ‘Deconstruction of the Egos’

The Detroit Pistons recently selected Cade Cunningham with the number one overall pick in the NBA draft.  Reflecting on his selection, Cunningham said: “I know my name was the first name called, but I know I didn’t do this by myself.  I have a No. 1 pick family.”

When I read Cunningham’s statement, it got me thinking about one of the most obvious and annoying downsides of politics—outgrown egos.

I think it is fair to say that a significant percentage of elected officials (and a larger percentage of political bosses) tend to develop needy egos as they swim through the brackish waters of politics. I have witnessed many once-young pols, fresh-faced and lacking all traces of contempt and cynicism, dipping their toe into the world of politics.  Within very little time, however, the babe in the woods gives way to a large, overblown, and toxic ego—say it ain’t so, Joe.

How do we deconstruct these monstrosities?

Let’s start with the premise that none of us were born as, or matured overnight into, elected officials or political decision makers without assistance from many seen and unseen helping hands.

I remember being elected for the first time as a local official in 1989, sweeping nine of ten districts and breaking the record for total amount of votes. On that night, for a moment, I felt like I could climb Mount Everest—without the help of a Sherpa or oxygen. Within an hour or two, the fog cleared (thankfully), and it was not lost on me that it was my family’s good name, led by my mom and dad, and assistance from my dear friends and people who I grew up with that made it all happen.

As I achieved each next level, I tried to keep my ego in check. Elected as Mayor at 25 years old, State Assemblyman at 31, County Party Chair at 32, and State Senator at 37—heady stuff if I did not have my feet firmly on the ground.

 

As I ascended to higher office, I saw others around me stricken, sometimes almost overnight, with malignant and dangerous egos. In my case, I knew that every step I took was a credit to the people around me and my enormous support team, dating back decades.

The funny thing is how many of our modern political honchos and power bosses have little recall of how they actually achieved such distinction, and fewer appreciate that their horizon is in sight and closing fast—quick up and quick down.

The lesson of the day? Political power is not spoken about; it is understood. Talking about how much you “control,” while being in denial about how others carried you when you first started in this game, is equal parts embarrassing and pathetic. The sad truth in our profession is that you are like everyone else until you achieve a position of authority.  But that position of authority does not entitle you to an outsized ego.

Take a page from Cade Cunningham.  Remember that you did not do this alone.  Remember where it all started and be gracious to those who gave you a start in this, sometimes, wicked profession.