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Polyclitus of Sicyon, a famous sculpture, once worked at the same time on two similar statues, one in public and one in secret. For the later he consulted only his genius but for the former he accepted every bit of advice and would make every little adjustment or touch-up that his critics suggested.
After finishing both statues, he exhibited both statues in public, side by side. One statue was criticized, but that which had been the fruit of his genius was extolled endlessly.
“Athenians�, said Polyclitus, ‘the statue you criticize is your work, and the one you so admire is mine.� (From My book Practising Spiritual Intelligence )
A great leader is one whom people follow and who is capable of changing the mind and heart of people. One who works on the basis of popular opinion can hardly be called a leader even if he occupies the chair of Prime Minster (PM) or Chief Minster (CM) as he only “follows� the public opinion.


Adolf Hitler was one of the most popular rulers of Germany. He used to seek referendums and plebiscites for ratification of all his important policies by the German people. In the four referendums conducted during his regime, he had the support of 90 to 99 per cent of the Germans. Yet, he grew extremely unpopular towards the end of his life. He had to commit suicide after his defeat in World War II, and is today one of the most hated men of the twentieth century. 

Good governance is like a bitter pill that cures the patient and a good leader is like a doctor who can administer the bitter pill to the patience who takes the pills happily as he trusts the doctor. If it is true that good medicines are never sweet, it is also true that good decisions are never popular.

If it is popular then it can't be the right decision.

In the year 2004 while doing my PhD, I visited Infosys Campus in Bangalore. What strike me most was the security arrangements there. The Security In-charge made a photo ID Card, talked to the GM -HR, did thorough search etc. before allowing me into the campus of Infosys. In every building the photo ID card was must for everyone. 
When I met the GM-HR, I asked why the security in Infosys is so high-even higher than the security of North/South Block where so many top ministers including PM sits. He explained that they have so many well known people like Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani etc who were working there in the campus and moving freely in the campus with other employees. They are their most valuable assets for the company. If someone harms them or kill them, the company is ruined as stock of the company shall be reduced to less them half in no time and their shareholders and nation shall lose thousands of crores rupees.

We have learned the dictum that prevention is better than cure. The number of lives that good security of the leaders (or officers, businessman, actors) saved is not known and counted and remain unknown to the common people. In our hatred for the political leaders, we have forgotten how much security is important for them and the lives of their family. A good security to important people helps them taking bolder decisions which may influence many vested interests adversely.

Once you have chosen or become a VIP/Extraordinary person (Like PM/CM), unfortunately you have to lose few of the privileges of an ordinary men like anonymity and moving freely without getting noticed.
You can’t be ordinary and Extraordinary at the same time.

Security is not a luxury but the cost the leaders and celebrities have to pay for being public personalities.