I’m not sure if Christian Bale and Peyton Manning have ever crossed paths, but “The Dark Knight” lead and the new leader of the Denver Broncos both showed their leadership colors this week with selfless calls and visits to the victims of the Aurora, Colorado shooting. Manning, never one for seeking the brightest of lights, shunned the cameras in his new home state but found the time to get to many of the shooting victims via phone over the weekend. Bale answered the quiet thoughts of many in the media when he quietly showed up at the hospital beds of the shooting victims on Tuesday, making the rounds and spending time with many while camera were far away.
Both could have made grandstand plays, intentionally or unintentionally finding the spotlight to back their support. They could have used the visits as an excuse…maybe even a valid one…to call attention for gun control or for any other topic of their choosing. They did not. They acted n their own, behind the scenes of the media frenzy, and brought quiet support that goes much further than publicity stunts. Yes it is true that word in this all access world did leak, but there was no advance warning or advisories, keeping the visits as intimate and personal as possible.
In a world where publicity seeking and hidden agendas are the rule more than the exception, these two stars showed true and refreshing leadership. Leadership hopefully others can continue to emulate, maybe not as much with this tragedy as with simple acts of kindness from those in positions of influence. it’s the little things that sometimes count more than the large scale public displays of support.
Solid moves by two solid men.
