THE QUESTION
Amidst Crisis, How To Define Success?
During a crisis, a leaders has to be candid enough about the problem to get people to change their behavior, while giving them enough hope that the challenge can be overcome. Getting that balance right often involves redefining success in some way. How well has Barack Obama done with this challenge posed by the current economic crisis? Are there any lessons to be found in history or in experiences you've had?
Posted by Ben Bradlee and Steve Pearlstein on January 21, 2009 10:10 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Reaching the Millennials
Obama's inaugural address called us all to pitch in, and his message resonated with the young, tech-savvy generation.
Posted by Warren Bennis, on January 22, 2009 10:40 AM
The Optimism Paradox
For General Lee at Gettysburg, optimism turned out to be fatal. Every leader must balance the need for confidence with clear-eyed realism, and Obama tried to do that in his inauguration speech.
Posted by Michael Useem, on January 22, 2009 10:13 AM
Grindstone Time
What does Obama want from the American people and what does he promise them? The answer so far: Hard work.
Posted by Joanne B. Ciulla, on January 22, 2009 10:04 AM
Beyonce's Tears
The 27-year-old pop star said of President Obama, "He makes me want to be more involved." She got the inaugural message -- meant for all of us -- loud and clear.
Posted by Ed Ruggero, on January 21, 2009 3:35 PM
Time For Specifics
Beyond balancing hope and candor, leaders also need to balance being general enough to leave themselves latitude but also specific enough to have a mandate for making tough asks. Now's the time for specifics.
Posted by Bill Shore, on January 21, 2009 12:32 PM
Memo to Self
Now that inauguration is over, President Obama gets down to the work of being President. His most immediate thoughts, articulated by Alan Webber.
Posted by Alan M. Webber, on January 21, 2009 12:29 PM
Rallying for Bipartisanship
While one speech cannot achieve the president's purpose, by aiming to gain bipartisan support, President Obama got off to an excellent start.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on January 21, 2009 12:23 PM
Lessons From Churchill
Churchill's famous speech had tenacity and a pugnacious spirit that struck a deep chord in the people; likewise, Obama needs to be both hopeful and realistic.
Posted by George Reed, on January 21, 2009 11:44 AM
Survival Is Success
President Obama doesn't need to put men on the moon. Simply guiding us through the next decade while preventing the collapse our economic system would be success enough.
Posted by Lt. Col. Todd Henshaw (Ret.), on January 21, 2009 11:39 AM
A Cautious Beginning
Obama's cautious inaugural address lacked FDR's insight about our nation's distress, Churchill's brutal honesty and JFK's request for help and sacrifice.
Posted by Marty Linsky, on January 21, 2009 11:28 AM
Educator of the Nation
A leader is an individual with a powerful story to communicate to a heterogeneous audience, and whose own life embodies that story.
Posted by Howard Gardner, on January 21, 2009 11:02 AM
Common Ground
A leader must draw other together, forging a shared vision that gives strength in the face of adversity.
Posted by Denis A. Cortese, on January 21, 2009 10:50 AM
A Long-Term Vision
It is particularly challenging to make major changes in government, especially when the crisis you are trying to address is emerging and not immediate.
Posted by David Walker, on January 21, 2009 10:50 AM
Citizens Must Sacrifice, Too
People worry about what a leader is not saying, because it is not that they can't stand bad news-- they just can't stand uncertainty.
Posted by Norm R. Augustine, on January 21, 2009 10:35 AM
First Measure of Success
Will President Obama succeed in establishing a vision, like FDR, and then leading the nation through these turbulent times?
Posted by Col. Charles D. Allen, on January 21, 2009 10:34 AM
New Deal Lessons
President Obama must revive Keynesian ideas of economic revival -- and he must muster the courage to bring others along with him.
Posted by Abraham Zaleznik, on January 21, 2009 10:22 AM
Realism Versus High Expectations
Although President Obama speaks to us realistically about our challenges, I worry his fans aren't hearing him -- while hoping he continues to speak candidly.
Posted by Marshall Goldsmith, on January 21, 2009 10:15 AM
Save & Share:
shane_beck: A measurable baseline of 20% reduction in oil dependency and corporate tax evasion, as well as a 1% reduction in the unemployment rate would...
agapn9: First we have to define what the crisis is. I think that its a four headed hydra: savings, education, hollowing out of the manufacturing sec...
AnthonyGenX: Switch to nuclear power and solve two huge problems at the stroke of a pen: Energy and Climate Change.
Standardize the value of a statistic...
