Locke - A Worse Leader Than Jack?

[IM-LOST-WITH-LOST]

I know some of you have your issues with Jack, but you have to admit, Locke isn't really showing very good leadership skills...well, except from cooking dinner. He said himself that he isnt running a democracy, and unlike Jack, it was quite obvious that he isn't going to be persuaded on anything... He seems to be taking on a 'His rules only' attitude. I'm also annoyed that this sudden gain in power is going to his head, as last episode he told hurley that if he didn't like his rules he could leave, and this episode he banishes Kate because she broke a rule. I can't remember Jack ever banishing anyone for going behind his back... Come to think of it, neithers Ben!

So as Locke told Jack that 'He's not a leader,' back in season 1, it seems apparent that he was telling the truth. At least he's honest

[monster-eats-pilot]

Well as Ben put it he is Lost because he couldnt find the cabin, he took orders from 'taller ghost Walt' who hasnt showed up since so being a man of faith he's going to have a hard time leading if he has no faith left.


Locke cooking dinner

[TheDharmaShark]

Kate was not part of the group to begin with and after being allowed to join it she abused the trust of Locke. Locke believes that these people are here to do harm, and while that is still his belief then he is entitled, in my opinion, to protect the group by getting rid of people who are not trustworthy.

[E Pluribus Unum]

He's not handled it very well, has he? He lacks trust in people, where Jack was willing to turn to a Sayid, Juliet, Hugo even a Sawyer for help regarding certain things, Locke seems closed off and determined to do things on his own...

Although, to be fair, a leader can't lead until he knows where he's going. Locke is clutching at straws regarding what he should do next.

I also found his treatment of Miles, in the end... Weird. He didn't even ask Miles about what he talked to Ben about - instead he went to 'sneaky-behind-your-back' Kate and took her word on it?! Hmmm

[IM-LOST-WITH-LOST]

Originally Posted by TheDharmaShark

Kate was not part of the group to begin with and after being allowed to join it she abused the trust of Locke. Locke believes that these people are here to do harm, and while that is still his belief then he is entitled, in my opinion, to protect the group by getting rid of people who are not trustworthy.

Well what about when he threatened to get rid of hurley Hurleys gotta be one of the most trustworthy people on team locke, plus half of them people wouldn't be with locke if it wasn't for him

[monster-eats-pilot]

Originally Posted by IM-LOST-WITH-LOST

Well what about when he threatened to get rid of hurley Hurleys gotta be one of the most trustworthy people on team locke, plus half of them people wouldn't be with locke if it wasn't for him

Hurley's the worst one for keeping secrets!
Gotta love him though

[esn]

Im going to give Locke more episodes to prove himself here, though on recent evidence, both he and Jack are as bad as each other. That said, Locke doesnt seem to be very good at inspiring confidence in his people like Jack did early on. He seems to be becoming more like Jack - impaitent, snappy, overly bossy. Its the first point that worries me, like Locke said himself, paitenece is a hallmark of a good leader and he isnt displaying that at the moment imo.

that said, he is far more interesting to watch than Jack will ever be.

[TheDharmaShark]

Originally Posted by IM-LOST-WITH-LOST

Well what about when he threatened to get rid of hurley Hurleys gotta be one of the most trustworthy people on team locke, plus half of them people wouldn't be with locke if it wasn't for him

Hurley, as nice as he may be, is a complete liability.

I dont think Locke intended to get rid of him, rather he was appearing rather strict with him so that he's more conscious of not slipping up, which he obviously wasnt

[Murgatroyd]

He is kind of more fun to watch than Jack because he's such a loose cannon, but yes, his leading style's abominable - he's directionless, dictatorial, ammoral and alienating. He's becoming fairly vile all in all.

[MatchBox]

Well he was using the black backgammon pieces in this episode as opposed to the white ones from before, possibly indicating that he's now flawed.

[IM-LOST-WITH-LOST]

Originally Posted by MatchBox

Well he was using the black backgammon pieces in this episode as opposed to the white ones from before, possibly indicating that he's now flawed.

Ohhh Matchy with the symbolism I like it!

[Him]

Originally Posted by MatchBox

Well he was using the black backgammon pieces in this episode as opposed to the white ones from before, possibly indicating that he's now flawed.

I saw this on lostpedia the other day, but as far as I could see, Sawyer pushed the white pieces towards Locke....?

Maybe I just don't know anything about backgammon.

[D-Roc]

Last week I openly noted that Locke's a little lost at the moment. He seems to be lacking direction and clarity. It brings to mind the idea that 'everyone has a boss' - indeed, Locke's 'boss' (Jacob) seems unwilling or unable to connect with John at the moment. I believe that Locke, unlike Jack, doing the right thing..he's just going the wrong way about it.

He's certainly not a worse leader than Jack, he's simply on a different path with different tests being thrown at him. One could also argue that John has the more 'difficult' people to lead right now - Sawyer, Kate, the incompetant Hugo..oh, and Ben.

Locke's problem is that his way is more difficult for these people to grasp. They are unable to identify with the island in the way he can - thus he has to turn these disbeleivers into believers. Smashing plates against walls and playing Backgammon with Sawyer isn't the way to go about it. The rain may have symbolically rebirthed him, but change is difficult when time lags behind. Locke once warned Eko about being a 'slave' to the button - Locke was ultimately wrong and he said so himself. However he has now become enslaved by a lack of direction.

But i'm not going to chastise the man for having faith. Faith will test you and it will push you. However Locke must keep going forward, keep taking those hits, cos nothing worth having comes easy.

I pity Jack. He's so pathetic - whilst Locke is going for a crisis, at least he's protecting his people, at least he's doing his best to protect the island. Locke is a rebel leader, let's not forget that - he's a hunter, not a farmer. Once he knows where he's going, he'll lead his people in the right direction. Although he has to be aware of who or what is leading him.

One suspects that Locke has a few more hoops to jump through before he begins to truely find himself again.

As they say, you have to walk before you can run. And by jove, Locke can walk. That alone deserves our respect.

[sawyersballs]

Originally Posted by TheDharmaShark

Hurley, as nice as he may be, is a complete liability.

Hurley is the key to the whole story ... think about it...