I am teaching a course on Nonprofit Leadership this summer. This is a strange time to be talking about leadership, given that we are witnessing so much chaos around the world and those who are supposed to be ‘leading’ are doing anything but lead.

Consider the world of business, which has become the focus of much of our lives. If one takes the case of Huawei, the Chinese company that is at the heart of supposed espionage – according to the American President – there is increasing pressure on American firms to cut ties with Huawei. Political leaders are pulling the plug on collaboration, creativity and innovation, it seems. Whether Huawei is actually indulging in espionage remains to be conclusively proven, but leaders have chosen to point fingers.

In an announcement that didn’t reveal anything, Robert Mueller read out a testimony basically saying that his report was the last word. He pointed to Congress to interpret and act in ways that were in line with their mandate. In other words, he was asking people with power and authority to act as leaders.

So, what do leaders do?

They craft a vision and inspire people to move towards that vision, says Warren Bennis, in his book ‘On becoming a leader.’ This sounds simpler than it actually is.

What drives one’s vision? It is a combination of one’s values, ambitions, character traits and life experiences.

So, to have better leaders we need better value frameworks, which are more inclusive, just and equal.

Whether is it dealing with change, chaos, crises; all of one’s values come to the fore. Especially, if one is a leader, he/she is asked to define a problem and then help solve it. With a twisted logic and skewed view of the world, one can only mess things up more, rather than solve the real problem.

What we are witnessing today, in the world is not actual definition of problems, but rather twisting and framing problems to suit one’s agenda. Whether it is gun control, climate change or migration, leaders are choosing the easy path to please others. Despite overwhelming facts and evidence that humans with guns are dangerous, that climate change is real and that migration actually helps countries grow, politicians are acting in ways that limit debate on these issues. Populists are framing issues to suit their needs and are dealing in xenophobia and fear.

This, is not good leadership. It may be good salesmanship and PR, but certainly not good and enlightened leadership.