When you deal with human beings in leadership
situations, you deal with what is essential to the study of leadership, namely,
moral and ethical issues. Through the study of lives, one finds out how
individuals have confronted specific actions and decisions relating to
leadership positions. - James MacGregor Burns, December 4, 2004
The
film “Lincoln” is the talk of the town. It has resurrected an interest in
the leadership styles of presidents, a topic that has been written about by
many historians and leadership scholars. We offer an undergraduate course on
the topic. The film confirms my
readings about Lincoln’s character— integrity, trust, honesty, fairness, a “sharing
leader”(Burns’ term) along with a strong sense of values, a commitment to them
(example: liberty and equality), and the ability to communicate (persuade).
Lincoln’s “approach shows that truth is a common denominator for all interactions,
among any group, and with people of varying personalities.” (D. Phillips, Lincoln On Leadership.)
While there are no specific formulas for successful, effective leadership, there are guidelines that potential and current leaders should not ignore. Studying Lincoln would be a good place to start. Other examples are worth investigating as well.
“Character,”
according to Zenger and Folkman (The
Extraordinary Leader)
is
“the center pole, the core of leadership effectiveness.” Greenstein (The Presidential Difference) offers six
qualities (might they be called “character traits?”) related to the leadership
styles and performances of presidents. These are public communication,
organizational capacity, political skill, vision, cognitive style, and emotional
intelligence
Historian
and presidential scholar, Robert Dallek’s “Lessons from the Lives and Times of
Presidents,” describes seven factors that distinguish effective and ineffective
presidential leadership - vision, pragmatism, charisma, consensus, trust, judgment,
and luck. Notice the “character factors” specified or implied—trust,
perseverance, integrity, respect, responsibility, etc.
The
Turknett Leadership Group (www.turknett.com) offers the “Leadership Character Model”
stating that “Leadership is about character – who you are
not what you do.” The model
includes three core qualities as the keys of “leadership character”:
Integrity -- honesty,
credibility, trustworthiness. “Without integrity, no leader can be successful.”
Respect -- empathy,
lack of blame, motivational mastery, humility. “Respect
helps create a culture of partnership and teamwork.”
Responsibility -- self-confidence,
accountability, focus on the whole, courage. “Great leaders
accept full responsibility for personal success and for the success of
projects, teams, and the entire organization.”
Those
of you in the education profession are “character educators.” You deal with “moral and ethical issues”
everyday. You are also educational leaders positioned at all levels—in the
classroom, at the school, in central office, in your professional community,
and in the public arena.
It
might be wise to examine who you are (your character and values), how you
perform (your skills and talents), and how you lead (sharing, partnerships,
team-building).
By Ed DeRoche
By Ed DeRoche
