‘A LEADER is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.’ These immortal words from John C Maxwell say it all about the very philosophy of Jimmy Carter. As a former president of the United States, humanitarian and Nobel laureate, Carter had in him, in his career, that sense of leadership soaked in empathy, service and relentless pursuit for the peace of the world.
In my interview with Carter, his reflections gave insight into a vision of leadership that has grown well beyond inbred notions of authority and power. He spoke poignantly of the persistence of his commitment to humanitarianism, faith in diplomacy as the bedrock of international relations and moral responsibility of the United States to lead by example on the world stage. In the world of journalism, there are those moments that transcend the routine and leave an indelible mark not only on the storyteller but also on the audience. For one of those transformative experiences, president Jimmy Carter sat in a small home he maintained in Plains, Georgia, on July 20, 2001.
The candid critique by Carter of the policies the then president George W Bush pursued, from Middle Eastern diplomacy to environmental stewardship, caused a powerful chord to resound. His comments sent shockwaves worldwide and earned coverage from major media outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Boston Globe, the Los Angeles Times, NBC, ABC, CNN, BBC and other prominent news organisations such as the Guardian. The words, uttered in the stillness of Plains, started a debate over leadership and accountability and the greater ethics required by those who were given a mantle. Brian Lamb, of C-SPAN, invited me in for an extended interview and for over half an hour, I shared my insights, putting Carter’s conversation with me into context. Beyond that, the Voice of America’s Sarkar Kabir conducted an in-depth discussion with me on how this story came to be and implications in the broader sense.
I remember, as if it were yesterday, the quiet strength, incisive intellect and steadfast commitment to humanity that Carter carries with him far beyond politics. His words that day were not simply reflections on policy but a challenge to action by leaders and citizens alike to press towards justice, peace and the common good.
Ìý
Leadership rooted in service
‘Leadership is not about power’, Carter said to me once. ‘It’s about service.’ Those few words speak volumes about his style of governance and public life. The 39th president of the United States, Carter’s presidency was marked by a commitment to diplomacy, openness and a steady concern for the interests of others. His commitment to service was one not of political expedience but of moral leadership with a global vision.
Carter spoke emotionally and passionately on the role of humility in leadership: ‘To lead is to listen’, he said, making sure that any who would lead must first of all be concerned with those they serve. It was not just rhetoric. In the humble manner of Carter, one saw a consensus maker, even when it was difficult. His style of leadership fostered trust and upheld the principles of justice and equality as a basis for collaborative governance.
Carter’s vision of leadership was well beyond his presidency. The post-presidency years, filled with unceasing efforts through the Carter Centre, showed belief in the concept of leadership as a lifetime commitment to humanity. Carter was the very essence of servant leadership through his initiatives on disease eradication, election monitoring and human rights. As Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ Carter’s life’s work stands as a testament to this timeless principle: true leadership lies in uplifting and empowering others for the service of humanity.
Ìý
Humanitarianism
‘We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles’, was one of Carter’s oft-quoted sayings, a philosophy which formed the bedrock of his humanitarian work. He initiated campaigns to eradicate diseases, promote democracy and protect human rights through the establishment of The Carter Centre. His determination in this respect was a reflection of the strong inner feeling that all lives bear equal value.
From leading the eradication of Guinea worm disease to overseeing fair elections in some of the world’s most volatile regions, Carter’s actions spoke louder than words. ‘Every life has equal value’, he said and such a statement emphasised his view of the intrinsic worth of each life. That ethos was the guiding principle behind his work in some of the most vulnerable corners of the world, bridging gaps and giving hope to those who most needed it. Carter’s efforts were not confined by borders. They were a universal call to action, embodying the belief that humanity is interconnected.
His legacy is a testament to the power of compassion coupled with action. The Carter Centres programmes targeting neglected tropical diseases and election monitoring have improved millions of lives, exemplifying what can be achieved when empathy meets purpose. As Mahatma Gandhi once said, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ And it is just that precept, the tireless labour of Carter that lives in testimony to such an eternal truth: True leadership well transcends partisan politics to rise to shared challenges confronting humanity.
Carter’’s humanitarian mission reminds us that great leadership is not defined by titles but by the lives they touch and the legacies they leave. His abiding belief in service as a powerful force continues to inspire generations that one man truly can change the world in his commitment to humanity.
Ìý
United States on world stage
CARTER’S vision for the United States was one of moral leadership, based on diplomacy and international norms. ‘Diplomacy should always be ahead of conflict’, he said, underscoring that the United States must lead by example, promoting peace, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
He was rather candid in the balancing of national interests against global responsibilities. ‘America’s greatness lies not in its power but in its ability to inspire’, Carter said. He felt that the United States had a special role to play in fostering stability around the world-not through coercion, but through collaboration and mutual respect.
Often, Carter’s critiques of US foreign policy have pointed out lost opportunities in both the sphere of diplomacy and environmental leadership. ‘The earth is not ours to exploit; it is ours to protect’, he once said, calling for sustainable policies centred on the well-being of the planet for future generations. His pleas for environmental stewardship and international cooperation remain just as cogent today as during his presidency.
Ìý
Legacy of peace
‘PEACE is not the absence of conflict but the presence of justice’, Martin Luther King Jr once said. This is a saying that Jimmy Carter’s life epitomises. A Nobel peace prize recipient, Carter’s tireless efforts to mediate international conflicts, support free elections, and champion human rights have left an indelible mark on the world.
Carter’s way to peace came from the fact that he deeply believed in justice as the cornerstone of harmony. He realised that peace required more than the absence of violence; it needed the resolution of injustices that breed conflict. His work brought together nations and communities, often divided by apparently insurmountable differences, in pursuit of common ground and mutual respect.
‘True peace is not merely the absence of war but the presence of justice and equity’, he would say time and again. This conviction gave life to his work, from the settlement of international conflicts to the advancement of the causes of the poor and the oppressed. His presidency was marked by bravery and tenacity, a reminder that peace is a process that takes time and an unrelenting dedication to dialogue.
Through his advocacy, Carter redefined what it means to be a peacemaker. His belief in the transformative power of dialogue and his willingness to engage with diverse perspectives have inspired generations of leaders to put diplomacy over division. The legacy of Carter is one of powerful reminder that true leadership is not measured by the conflicts avoided but by the justice reached and the lives improved in its wake.
Ìý
Inspiring future generations
‘OUR prime purpose in this life is to help others’, said the Dalai Lama, a philosophy that blends in most smoothly with Jimmy Carter’s vision. Throughout his life, the work of Carter has stood for this principle and has set a standard for future leaders in using service, fostering peace, and standing for the principles of justice and equity.
Carter’s reflections on leadership and world peace are a profound blueprint toward which a complicated world is reaching. His firm commitment to the service of humanity reminds us that real leadership does not lie in power or prestige but in uplifting others and inspiring joint action for a better future.
The legacy of Jimmy Carter is not merely the record of past action; it’s a living call to action for times to come. As he once said, ‘We can choose to alleviate suffering. We can choose to work together for peace. We can make these changes and we must.’ These words capture his enduring message toward humanity-that the power to create a better world resides in those hands which are willing to lead with compassion, courage, and integrity.
He has left an indelible mark on the world and showed a way for all to follow by embracing these values. His life’s work continues to inspire new generations to rise to the challenges of their time, carrying forward his vision of a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.
Ìý
Dr Serajul I Bhuiyan is a professor and former chair of the journalism and mass communications department in Savannah State University, Georgia.