Several thoughts come to mind when it comes to leadership, and in this case Presidential leadership (that I would like to see; speaking as one interested voter).
- Inspiration. Reagan is an example of this characteristic. It is Morning in America was enough to galvanize a whole nation. Obviously there is more to it than that single phrase - but you get the point. Or Roosevelt's there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
- Conviction. Lincoln is an example of this characteristic. A house divided against itself cannot stand. With that as his core principle he journeyed across unimaginable hardship to preserve the union
- A sense of a greater whole. Wilson. He was able to imagine a League of Nations. He screwed up with the senate on this count. But the ability of nations to work together, was his fundamental contribution.
- Growth. Jefferson and Lincoln. My two favorite presidents. Jefferson with the Louisiana Purchase and Lincoln with the building of the railroads (remember Lincoln was a railroad lawyer and Jefferson was interested in territory the whole time - he later sent Lewis and Clark out). They fundamentally grew the country and dramatically so.
- Courage. Teddy R. The union busting, heritage building President was not afraid to take on interests.
- Organization. Eisenhower. The man who gave us the WWI victory and the Interstate. He is the closest I can imagine to a Business CEO, coming from the Army (at least old school CEO). I think Eisenhowers interstate rivals Lincoln's railroads for contribution to economic growth.
- Identity. Jefferson. We are who we are. We are who we think we are. We are who we are inspired to be. The American Template. The Idea of America. The American Strategist. Thats him. I think of Kennedy's quote to Nobel Laureate's dining with him, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered at the White House - with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."
- Charisma and Glamour. Kennedy and Jackie. We want to feel good about our leaders. I mean we can put boring technocrats to work no doubt. But an ounce of pizzaz does'nt hurt. The world loved them.
So, here is the formula - three parts growth, two parts courage and conviction, one part organization and sense of a greater whole, half part identity and inspiration and a smidge of charisma and glamour - and we could have our deepest wishes come true.
Got someone like that in mind?
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