Wanted: Humble Leadership

Humility is a core American value. It always has been.

Currently, however, our national leaders’ inability to admit fallibility has been a consistent indicator that we are brimming with hubris. We believe we can impose our will on our allies, on our foes, even on Mother Nature.

The crucible of crisis management in Louisiana  is  simply the most recent – and most visible – example of a flawed management philosophy. It is a departure from the doctrine of humble strength that has characterized our country in many of the seminal periods of our past.

Read the full essay here

Comments

[thinkjose]

Unfortunately most leadership positions are set up for failure in the humility department. In order to reach the position that most so desire we downplay the importance of being humble and focus on character qualities that are less important. So a lot of the humility issues fall back on the people who are putting leaders into power.

We need to be reminded of how powerful humility can be.

Thanks for the great insight.

Jose

[Ed Brenegar]

Ira, I want to say two things. 1. I agree with you totally on humility. It is measure of personal maturity, and is a key ingredient in successful relationships, whether on the personal or professional level.
2. Your comments on President Bush while well meaning, seem naive, I'm sorry to say. Having read your Change This Manifesto, I know you are not naive, and you are trying to make a point. But to isolate one party in the midst of plenty of culprits is either naive or prejudicial.
Public figures do not exist in a vacuum. They exist in a political context, and it would be far more insightful to look at the political system that requires public officials to not admit when they are wrong because they fear their opponents will not treat their apology with respect, but will use it for political gain. There are several triangulations of complicity operating in our public life that makes being humble rather difficult for politicians. There is the triangulation between President, the Democrats and the press. From my view as an independent, the press and the Democrats have such a viseral hatred of the President that it often verges on treason. Where's the humility there? Then there is the triangulation between the President, the Republicans in Congress and the Democrats in Congress. And as the lame duck status of this adminstration develops, the Congress from both sides of the aisle will be less likely to side with him. As if true of all leaders, they are in many ways alone and isolated in their position of authority, and this is particularly true of US Presidents.
All of this is to not to say that he shouldn't apologize, but that if he doesn't, he's got some sufficient reasons. While I think that sort of humility may be a good investment in political capital later, the reality is you have to deal with what is before you today. And with a press and an opposition that spend most of their time screaming "Bush lied" and never owning to their own complicity in the run up to the war, I doubt we will see much humility from any source over the next three years. I very much appreciate your writing about this, and look forward to reading more of your humble wisdom. Thank you.

[Elcoj]

Hi there,
You need more rest i think

Have a nice day
Elcoj