Mirrors, Delusions, and Reality
"The mirror reflects reality, but it is also the perfect tool for deception." — Robert Greene, The 48 Laws of Power
"Human beings have an almost unlimited capacity for self-delusion." — John Twelve Hawks, The Traveler
In my book, Large and In Charge No More—A Journey to Vulnerable Leadership, I emphasize that effective leadership requires vulnerability—recognizing and understanding how to personify it. Without vulnerability, individuals often construct a delusional self-image, convincing themselves that they embody, for example, moral rectitude, principles, compassion, and values-based leadership, while their actions reveal a different reality. They look in the mirror and see an image they want to project, deluding themselves that what they themselves see is what others think of them, when many times how they’re perceived by others is nowhere close.
A relevant example of this phenomenon is our new Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Historically, Kennedy has been a vocal critic of vaccine mandates and has promoted vaccine hesitancy, often citing unfounded concerns about vaccine safety. Despite his assurances during his Senate confirmation hearing to uphold the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's vaccination schedule, Kennedy has recently announced plans to review various health risks, including the vaccine schedule. An FDA meeting that was supposed to occur this week among health officials to determine what this fall’s flu vaccine should consist of has also been cancelled. These actions have raised legitimate concerns among public health officials and the medical community, as they contradict established scientific consensus on vaccine safety and efficacy.
The recent measles outbreak in Texas serves as an important test of Kennedy's leadership and commitment to public health. The outbreak, which began in January 2025, has resulted in over 145 confirmed cases and the death of an unvaccinated child—the first measles-related death in the U.S. since 2015. Despite the severity of the situation, Kennedy downplayed the outbreak, stating this week, "We have measles outbreaks every year," and that this outbreak “was not unusual.” Reality indicates otherwise. Kennedy’s response has been met with criticism from public health experts who emphasize that such outbreaks are preventable through vaccination and should not be dismissed lightly.
Notably, measles was declared eliminated from the United States in 2000, a landmark public health achievement made possible due to successful vaccine efforts begun in 1963. However, declining vaccination rates, partly attributed to vaccine misinformation peddled by Kennedy and others, have led to a resurgence of the disease. The current outbreak in Texas underscores the consequences of complacency and the spread of vaccine hesitancy.
This situation suggests a dissonance between Kennedy's self-perception as a principled, informed, thoughtful leader and his current actions, which appear to prioritize personal beliefs—scientifically baseless as they are—over public health imperatives. Such a stance underscores the dangers of a lack of vulnerability, self-awareness, and curiosity in leadership, leading to decisions that may compromise not only one's integrity but the well-being of the public.
Embracing vulnerability requires confronting uncomfortable truths about ourselves, our knowledge, and our actions, and acknowledging our limitations. For leaders like Kennedy, this means addressing the divergence between their professed principles and their current policies, not to mention proven science. Without this introspection, they risk perpetuating a delusional self-image that undermines their credibility and has far-reaching implications for public health.
Like it or not, a mirror reflects not who we aspire to be, but who we truly are. Leaders must possess the courage to face this reflection with honesty and humility, ensuring that their actions align with their proclaimed values. Only through such vulnerability can they foster authentic leadership and effect meaningful change.