Why Intelligence and Truth Matters in Leadership
Every December, the St. Petersburg City Council selects its chairperson and vice-chairperson for the upcoming year. It’s a significant vote, as these roles set the tone for the Council’s work, guiding discussions and decisions that impact the entire city. This year, Council Member Lisset Hanewicz was among those nominated for leadership, and while not selected, comments made during the process reveal troubling attitudes about what we value in our leaders.
During the discussion, it was Council Member Deborah Figgs-Sanders who dismissed Hanewicz with remarks like, “Just because you can put a sentence together” and “you may be the smartest person in the drawer,” suggesting that intelligence and articulation are not sufficient qualifications for leadership. Let’s pause here for a moment. Are we really at a point where intelligence, the ability to express oneself clearly, and the capacity to make thoughtful arguments are considered shortcomings instead of strengths?
These qualities are exactly what we should demand from our leaders—especially elected officials. Leadership isn’t about grandstanding or undermining others with dismissive remarks; it’s about having the intellectual rigor to analyze complex issues, communicate effectively with the public, and guide meaningful action. The ability to “put a sentence together” isn’t just a skill; it’s a necessity for anyone tasked with shaping policies that affect thousands of lives. And being “the smartest person in the drawer” should be celebrated, not mocked. Frankly, if intelligence and clarity of thought are a problem for someone evaluating candidates for leadership, that says more about them than the person they’re critiquing.
The Hypocrisy of Dismissing Truth
This issue of dismissing intellect and communication skills as leadership traits ties into another troubling trend on the part of one council member: dismissing truth itself. During a public meeting about the Tampa Bay Rays deal, I spoke to share my perspective, offering my thoughts in good faith. Council Member Figgs-Sanders, who spoke after me, flippantly remarked, “A lot of what you just heard is not true.”
Let me be clear: public discourse requires accountability, especially from those in leadership positions. If an elected official is going to accuse a member of the public of spreading false information, it is their duty to back that up. But when Figgs-Sanders was directly asked by someone in the audience to name even two specific things I had said that were untrue, she changed the subject and did not answer. This wasn’t just disrespectful to me; it was a blatant disregard for truth and transparency. Leaders should engage with facts, not brush aside inconvenient points with empty rhetoric.
What We Should Expect From Every Council Member
Every member of the City Council—whether they are in a leadership position or not—has a responsibility to lead with intelligence, clarity, and integrity. That means:
- Being able to put sentences together to articulate the city’s challenges and proposed solutions effectively.
- Being the smartest person in the room (or drawer) when it comes to understanding the issues and being prepared to engage with complex topics.
- Telling the truth and respecting the public’s input instead of dismissing it without substance or explanation.
Lisset Hanewicz exemplifies many of these qualities, and whether or not she holds a formal leadership title, these are the traits we need on the City Council. Conversely, the dismissive attitudes and unsubstantiated claims made by others, like Figgs-Sanders, undermine the very foundation of effective governance.
As residents of St. Petersburg, we deserve better. We deserve leaders who prioritize truth over deflection, intelligence over petty remarks, and articulation over ambiguity. If someone thinks being smart, articulate, and truthful aren’t leadership qualities, it’s time to question why they are in a position of power at all.
St. Petersburg is a city with a bright future, but that future depends on leaders who are ready to guide us with clarity, intelligence, and integrity. And as voters, it’s on us to demand nothing less.
