Leaders Can’t Fall for the Symbolism Fallacy

Symbolism ruins just as much as it unites.

Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

Leaders love symbols. Flags, statues, anthems, dates, all of it. I call it symbolic leadership. Or in many instances, the symbolism fallacy.

Symbols are, for humans, a sign of unity, power, pain, you name it. We use our symbols to remember what was, and where we hope to go. There is inherent…