Leadership and Character in Politics

OK, I couldn’t resist the urge to pen down a few thoughts on NY State Governor, Elliot Spitzer. The guy is involved in a prostitution ring, allegedly spent over $80,000 on hookers in the last few years and as if all this wasn’t disgusting enough, he drags his wife up on stage as he apologizes….so much for being there for his wife and 3 daughters.

How then does personal character and integrity matter in a leader? Should we forgive an elected official or business executive for a personal human weakness or utterly stupid lapses in judgment, as long as he/she can still perform at a high level?

My answer – No way!!

As I have repeatedly emphasized on some of my other blog postings, Character IS leadership…period. There are is no grey areas between one’s private actions and public performance. Character and your values are held to their highest test standard when “no one is looking”. Leadership isn’t something one can turn off and on…especially when you hold a position in a public office.

I am not sure how many of you remember the movie, “Breaking Away”? Dave Stoller (Dennis Christopher) fantasizes about being this Italian biker. He lands an opportunity to race against an Italian cycling team visiting Bloomington, Ind., that he has literally worshiped. But when he shows that he can keep up with them, believing they will admire the level of his effort, they throw him into a ditch and his fantasy world comes crashing down. “Everybody cheats,” he says….

I disagree. An authentic leader never cheats….he/she never compromises his values. If you steal, cheat (including your spouse), lie or break the law you might be given another chance as a human being…but I am sorry, you are no leader. So, please step aside…

Shackleton Expedition – Lessons learned

In retrospect, a well done movie (although a little slow for my liking). The story was one of adventurous ambition, heroic survival against all odds and incredible endurance. It showcases the skills required for effective leadership especially of diverse groups in times of crisis. Here is what I learned:

• An eagerness to learn (as evidenced by Shakleton – a well-read man whose thirst for knowledge and exploration knew no bounds)
• Ability to mix with a diverse group of people
• Learning to see things from a different perspective and outside of oneself. I think this will allow more flexibility in one’s problem-solving abilities
• Ability to hire talented yet optimistic individuals. He may not have hired the most competent people for the expedition but he certainly hand-picked them for their attitude and passion
• I liked how he gave the crew a”reality check”. He transformed them such that they started to treat every crisis situation like it was business as usual
• His servant leadership – something that is probably more relevant now that it was in the bureaucratic past
• From a Good to Great perspective, Shackleton was definitely a Level 5 Leader – humble, fanatically driven, capable of understanding the need to produce results that would be sustained and of selecting successors
• Kept his wit of humor and optimism about him regardless of his own disappointment

• Emotional Intelligence is key – he immediately sensed what was going in within his crew at critical junctures of the expedition
• On the “First Who…Then What” principle of Good to Great, Shackleton was rigorous but not ruthless when it came to hiring. He knew that he had to act when he realized when he had the certain people in the wrong seat
• Fostered a culture of high discipline – Systematic, demanding, consistent, methodical, focused and in some instances dogged

I think overall the movie was a good illustration of all that we have learned thus far in the course (with the exception of ethics….I am a little skeptical there)