An important point for leaders is to know when it is time to leave... Often the perks of a position make it too attractive to stay even beyond one's effectiveness.
This morning the world heard that Pope Benedict XVI plans to resign at the end of the February (18 days from now). As Cardinal Ratzinger he observed the long, slow decline of Pope John Paul II. I believe that a couple of years ago he indicated that he was open to resignation if he could not continue at full strength (I don't have the exact information).
Now he has taken a bold step: the first Pope in 600 years to resign. It is a courageous step. It is a rational step by a man who has devoted his life to careful, rational thinking. I applaud his courage...
Would that many political leaders would have similar courage!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The Leadership Persona: Image or Illusion?
Do you ever see someone who looks like a leader and who talks like a leader? I do. Recently I have been reflecting on what I call "the leadership persona." This can be defined as the public face of the leader. But, do we look beyond the public face?
Often what we find is that the image is only an illusion. One can cultivate leadership dignity and a careful way of speaking and thus project an image of leadership.
As I thought about some positional leaders, I wanted to probe more deeply in their persona. In some cases, there is very little below the surface. The surface has been carefully cultivated and groomed to project "perfection." It is a performance that has become part of the person's very self.
But, as one goes more deeply, one finds there is almost nothing of the deliberative, thoughtful leader below the surface. There is caution, yes, but also uncertainty rather than decisiveness.
So much attention has been placed on creating the outer leader image that there is little of substantive leadership below the surface.
As a classic movie buff, one of my favorites is Cary Grant. Grant never won an Academy Award for a single performance although he may have won some sort of lifetime achievement award. But, he deserved an Academy Award for his greatest performance, that of the creation of Cary Grant. Grant focused very much on creating that public persona. Sometimes when filming he would respond to a request thus: Cary Grant would not do that. Grant had a firm image of the persona he had created and how that persona would react and behave.
So too does the illusory leader. That individual knows how he or she should respond as a leader and follows that formula.
As we examine leadership we should become aware of what is illusion and what is real leadership.
Often what we find is that the image is only an illusion. One can cultivate leadership dignity and a careful way of speaking and thus project an image of leadership.
As I thought about some positional leaders, I wanted to probe more deeply in their persona. In some cases, there is very little below the surface. The surface has been carefully cultivated and groomed to project "perfection." It is a performance that has become part of the person's very self.
But, as one goes more deeply, one finds there is almost nothing of the deliberative, thoughtful leader below the surface. There is caution, yes, but also uncertainty rather than decisiveness.
So much attention has been placed on creating the outer leader image that there is little of substantive leadership below the surface.
As a classic movie buff, one of my favorites is Cary Grant. Grant never won an Academy Award for a single performance although he may have won some sort of lifetime achievement award. But, he deserved an Academy Award for his greatest performance, that of the creation of Cary Grant. Grant focused very much on creating that public persona. Sometimes when filming he would respond to a request thus: Cary Grant would not do that. Grant had a firm image of the persona he had created and how that persona would react and behave.
So too does the illusory leader. That individual knows how he or she should respond as a leader and follows that formula.
As we examine leadership we should become aware of what is illusion and what is real leadership.
Friday, February 1, 2013
Role of the Secretary of State: Leadership or Execution
Today, February 1, 2013, is Secretary Hillary Clinton's last day as Secretary of State. The debate on her impact is puzzling. The crux of the matter is whether she has a "great achievement" and whether she will have a lasting impact.
When is the last time that a Secretary of State operated independently of the President? The Secretary of State implements foreign policy designed by an administration. Clinton has done this with grace and great energy.
I don't recall a similar debate about other recent Secretaries of State.
Are our expectations higher for HRC as a leader than for others? Are we in fact measuring whether she is ready to be the presidential candidate in 2016?
I do not recall a similar discussion about Powell, Rice, Albright, or other recent Secretaries. Even with some of the giants like Kissinger and Dulles, we have reason to believe that they were skillful in executing the policies of their respective presidents, most if not all of the time.
The Secretary of State is a leader in terms of leading the public dialogue and heading the Department of State. The Secretary of State is not an independent foreign policy initiator.
When is the last time that a Secretary of State operated independently of the President? The Secretary of State implements foreign policy designed by an administration. Clinton has done this with grace and great energy.
I don't recall a similar debate about other recent Secretaries of State.
Are our expectations higher for HRC as a leader than for others? Are we in fact measuring whether she is ready to be the presidential candidate in 2016?
I do not recall a similar discussion about Powell, Rice, Albright, or other recent Secretaries. Even with some of the giants like Kissinger and Dulles, we have reason to believe that they were skillful in executing the policies of their respective presidents, most if not all of the time.
The Secretary of State is a leader in terms of leading the public dialogue and heading the Department of State. The Secretary of State is not an independent foreign policy initiator.
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