I know the US Senate has a lot of important issues to deal with, like the lousy economy, high unemployment, two wars, and health care, so please forgive me if I winge for a moment about something less important, but nonetheless significant: the conduct of one Senator who knows how to behave well, but chose not to.

According to Politico.com, New York Senator Charles Schumer continued talking on his cell phone after USAirways flight attendants had instructed passengers to turn off all electronic devices.

After issuing the general instruction to all passengers (to include, presumably, US Senators), the flight attendant approached Schumer and told him the entire plane was waiting on him to shut down his phone. The senator argued with her, and was then quoted as saying, “It’s Harry Reid calling. I guess health care will have to wait until we land.”

Puh-leaaaaze…

As a final show of class, professionalism, and maturity, the senator then called the flight attendant a word also used to identify female dogs. In fairness, as one blogger has pointed out, she insulted him first, by calling him a senator. Still…

The incident was reported by a fellow passenger, an aide for the opposing party, but has not been denied by Schumer. In fact, Schumer had a spokesperson apologize on his behalf. I’d love to have someone I could pay to take the heat for me when I screw up. As often as that happens, I probably couldn’t afford one , but thankfully for Schumer, we provide him with a staff budget capacious enough to allow for such a person.

There’s a lot wrong with this incident, if it’s true. For starters…

• Senators are supposed to be public servants. Not public tyrants.
• Every time I fly, I’m warned that “failure to comply with crewmember instructions is a federal offense.” Consider the senator a federal offender. You and I would have been escorted off the plane to visit with two uniformed men with heads disproportionate to their bodies.
• If Schumer’s public language is indicative of the way he regards women, I’m not impressed.

People are looking for authenticity in their leaders. Authentic leaders:

• realize others are watching, and behave as admirable examples, even when no one is watching
• realize rules apply to them just as they do to others
• are as kind and considerate to the person who pushes a broom (or an airline drinks cart) as they are to their fellow country club members
• know that they put their pants and skirts on the same way everyone else does
• apologize sincerely, and in person when they make a mistake

Shame on you, Senator Schumer, surrogate apology notwithstanding.

Richard Hadden (twitter at http://twitter.com/rehadden) is a leadership speaker, author, and consultant who helps organizations improve their business results by creating a great place to work. He and Bill are the authors of the new book Contented Cows MOOve Faster, as well as the acclaimed business classic Contented Cows Give Better Milk. Learn more about them and their work at ContentedCows.com.