The Washington Post sets the stage adroitly:

“Nearly 20 years ago, former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder announced that he wanted to create a museum that would tell the story of slavery in the United States. He had the vision, the clout, the charm to make it seem attainable, and he had already made history: the grandson of slaves, he was the nation’s first elected African-American governor.

“He assembled a high-profile board, hosted splashy galas with entertainer Bill Cosby promising at least $1 million in support, accepted a gift of some 38 acres of prime real estate smack along Interstate 95 in Fredericksburg and showed plans for a $100 million showstopper museum designed by an internationally renowned architect.”

And now? Now the  U.S. National Slavery Museum project is bankrupt, filing for protection last fall. Claims against it total more than $7 million. The city of Fredericksburg has threatened to sell the land to make up for almost $200,000 in unpaid real-estate taxes. Officials have asked the court to either liquidate the organization or to appoint a trustee to oversee its finances. Through all of this, the Post reports, Doug Wilder has remained aloof, refusing interviews or even to answer phone calls. Having created the project, started an organization, induced collectors and other citizens to contribute priceless artifacts and documents to the aspiring museum’s collection, and accepted contributions, all in the justified belief that he, an established political leader, a powerful member of the African-American community and someone with access to resources and allies, would see the project through to a successful conclusion, whatever it took. Instead, Wilder abandoned the project he began completely, leaving to others the responsibility of organizing and guiding it, and making certain that its promises were fulfilled.

The sickening story of Wilder’s betrayal, which you can read here, is a graphic example of the immense harm irresponsible individuals can do when they pretend to be leaders and are not. These are men and women who want the power, prestige, popularity and perquisites of leadership without the price: hard work, risk, responsibility, diligence, courage and accountability. Douglas Wilder, in this episode, is a classic and nauseating example. He sought to burnish his reputation among African-Americans by calling for a national museum that could educate future generations about slavery the way Washington, D.C.’s Holocaust Museum has told the story of that human rights disaster, and pledging to make it a reality. Citizens assumed that a governor would not take such a public position without having the determination and the skills to accomplish it, yet he did not. He was one of the phony leaders who shout “Charge!” and then stay behind to watch what happens.

It is one of the worst ethical failures. In the past, I have likened a posturing leader without leadership skills to an airplane pilot who takes off with a plane full of passengers and does not know how to land. Feckless pseudo-leaders leaders who entice followers, create hopes, nurture dreams and persuade others to sacrifice only to abandon a cause when it becomes inconvenient, risks failure, or loses its appeal because of more promising opportunities do terrible harm to their communities and human trust.

Now, because he falsely posed as a leader that he was not, with skills and determination he did not have, backed with character that was weak instead of strong, there may never be a National Slavery Museum. Creating one now will be more difficult than ever. Doug Wilder, however, is no longer involved. He really never was. In the end, false leadership is just a very dangerous, very destructive, lie.