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THE QUESTION
A Higher Standard?
The Sanford scandal is the latest reminder that Americans are quick to disqualify from top leadership positions people who haven't lived by the highest moral standards. In this insistence of sexual probity, are we denying ourselves the benefit of too many otherwise talented leaders in politics, business and religion? Or is marital fidelity a good predictor of overall character and leadership talent?
Posted by Ben Bradlee and Steve Pearlstein on June 29, 2009 11:50 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Leadership Pop Quiz
What is the best predictor of bad judgement?
Posted by Warren Bennis, on July 13, 2009 3:37 PM
Immorality, Magnified
The public is more willing to forgive political leaders' love affairs than their indiscretions on the job. They are like us - fallible human beings - but unlike us, we entrust them to look after the common good.
Posted by Joanne B. Ciulla, on July 1, 2009 8:37 AM
Forgetting Your Followers
It's so simple and yet so many leaders forget -- in the heat of passion, greed, or embarrassment -- to ask themselves what the people they serve would think?
Posted by Patricia McGinnis, on June 30, 2009 3:14 PM
Transgressions vs. Contributions
An examination of our most respected historical leaders reveals some extraordinary flaws, especially when it comes to marital fidelity. Regrettable as they were, such infidelities did not erase their contributions.
Posted by George Reed, on June 30, 2009 3:00 PM
Forgiveness Is Beside the Point
Forgiveness is beside the point here. Once a leader has done something to shatter the trust of the people he leads, he can't get it back.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on June 30, 2009 11:22 AM
Dereliction of Duty
With his dalliance in Argentina, Gov. Mark Sanford abandoned his office and the executive responsibilities inherent in it. Similar dereliction of duty by a military officer would constitute grounds for immediate "relief" of command.
Posted by Gen. Monty Meigs (Ret.), on June 30, 2009 11:17 AM
Marital Vows, Constitutional Vows
We need more people who lead by example and practice what they preach, including in connection with their moral and ethical behavior.
Posted by David Walker, on June 30, 2009 11:15 AM
Even Americans Are Forgiving
The idea that sexual indiscretions invariably cause the downfall of leaders is empirically incorrect. What Americans punish more than infidelity is being lied to.
Posted by Jeffrey Pfeffer, on June 30, 2009 10:58 AM
The Puzzle of Trust
Marital fidelity is a good predictor of overall character, albeit not the only predictor.
Posted by Gail S. Williams, on June 30, 2009 10:54 AM
The Adulation of Thousands
Why do so many of those who fall seem to be the ones who put themselves, with our collusion, on such an unrealistic moralistic pedestal in the first place?
Posted by Marty Linsky, on June 30, 2009 10:42 AM
Not a Predictor of Leadership Skill
Marital fidelity, in and of itself, is not a predictor of how well one will exercise leadership.
Posted by Kathy Kretman, on June 30, 2009 10:35 AM
Sanford's Character Flaws
Sanford's "acting out" and the complicated steps he went through to conduct the affair suggest a major character flaw that imperils his ability to lead.
Posted by Abraham Zaleznik, on June 30, 2009 10:31 AM
Getting Away With It
If your wandering eye is well known, and you don't make a big deal about family values, then you can get away with escapades.
Posted by Howard Gardner, on June 29, 2009 4:34 PM
A Clinton Exception?
It's difficult, in the light of the Clinton presidency, to assert the proposition that Americans "disqualify from top leadership positions people who haven't lived by the highest moral standards."
Posted by Slade Gorton, on June 29, 2009 2:21 PM
Leaders We Can Live Without
Circumstances matter, and if a leader has an affair with a subordinate or shows other lapses of judgment, then we're better off without them.
Posted by Deborah Kolb, on June 29, 2009 1:53 PM
Adultery Is Private, Politics Are Not
The public dislikes infidelity in its leaders but is willing to ignore it if the leader is seen as truly working for the common good.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on June 29, 2009 1:44 PM
Mostly About Sex
We know of lots of great leaders from earlier periods who were tireless philanderers, not just in politics but in all walks of life. Would we have been better off if these leaders had been driven from their leadership positions? I don't think so.
Posted by Steven Pearlstein, on June 29, 2009 1:32 PM
FEATURED COMMENTS
Pragmatic6: If one cannot lead himself, can he lead others? Does leadership include leading by example?...
tvanzandt: When it comes to questioning Sanford's leadership qualities one can't overlook the fact that he didn't seem to be concerned with leaving the...
fgoepfert1: Sanford's issue is not about sex, but all about leadership judgment, which he lacks.
His recent trip to Argentina, while pretending he was h...
