Effective leaders do not wait for ideal conditions. They shape outcomes by reading power dynamics, setting direction early, and moving with intent even when uncertainty dominates the environment.
In leadership, being liked is fragile currency. The moment standards are enforced or hard decisions are made, affection fades, revealing why respect, not approval, is what actually sustains authority.
Publicly floating persona non grata threats turns a precise diplomatic tool into applause politics, shifting focus from Chinese misconduct to domestic noise and weakening the very authority the state is meant to protect.