Wearing The White Hat

Scripted television makes it easy to play a great character, be it a murderer, or a detective, or a professional fixer.  But those characters aren't necessarily always leaders.  For those of you who have never watched Scandal before, I am sorry for your loss (just kidding).  Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington, is Washington D.C.'s professional fixer, meaning when big time politicians have big time problems she makes them go away no matter what.  Olivia, by shear title, is a leader of Olivia Pope & Associates but she does so much more that takes her to another level.  She is fiercely loyal to her followers, whether it's a client or one of her "fixed" associates, she would die before she let anything bad happen to any of them.  Passion is a natural part of her being.  She worked as the campaign manager for the President and is never ending in her drive to solve her particular problem at hand.  She is charismatic to the point of convincing the sky it may not actually be blue.  These qualities being said, she also has parts where she lacks, just like every leader does.  She doesn't always listen to those around her, and she isn't always very great with communication.  But what makes her, to me, more of a real leader than an ideal one is the fact that she is a real person.  She solves crises on a daily basis, but her personal life is in constant turmoil.  She walks around with a strong face and acts like nothing is wrong, which is maybe why I identify so closely with her.  Even her character can be a leader to the real world.  She is a symbol of powerful woman, and even more, powerful black woman.  Her character is empowering people outside the screen. Regardless of television or not, Olivia Pope is a real, not necessarily ideal, leader.