The New York Post reported today that John Liu, New York City’s newly elected Comptroller, has instituted a new policy…..drum roll please….and the new policy is:

“New York City’s new comptroller, John Liu, has ordered his staff to rise whenever he enters the room and to address him as “Mr. Comptroller.”

The New York City Comptroller’s mission:

“The mission of the office is to ensure the financial health of New York City by advising the Mayor, the City Council, and the public of the City’s financial condition.”

Wow. 

Business and political bookshelves are filled with examples of leaders who do everything to fit in, who talk about the importance of “team,” who pick up garbage when they pass it and who proudly describe no task, regardless of how menial, being beneath them.

I have had the opportunity to work with myriad elected officials over the years, a few who took the actual title (what he or she was called) very seriously, and most who took the job a lot more seriously than the title.  One group includes men and women who were beloved long after they left office, and the other group (the “title” group) does not. 

In this day and age, when people are hurting, incumbents are vilified and being a man or woman of the people is what’s in (watch C-SPAN for any random 5 minutes, listen to a speech or testimony and you will see what I mean), I am not sure what message Mr. Liu is trying to send.  

I am quite sure about the message that the general public has received.

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