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THE QUESTION
Compelling Story or Too Much Information?
Last week Barack Obama drew on his own background to reinforce his speech to the Muslim world, while Sonia Sotomayor's comments about her ethnicity have drawn fire. Should leaders make personal histories part of their public persona?
Posted by Andrea Useem on June 8, 2009 10:05 AM
FROM THE PANEL
Share Your Challenges
The more successful leaders I have observed do not tell stories of their great accomplishments, but rather of their personal and professional challenges.
Posted by Col. Charles D. Allen, on June 12, 2009 10:12 AM
Bonds of Trust
Sotomayor must build bonds of trust with her constituents, based on the expectation that she will follow the Constitution and bring to her deliberations a deep knowledge of the law and an understanding of people who face hardships and barriers as she has.
Posted by Patricia McGinnis, on June 11, 2009 10:57 AM
Their Stories Are Our Stories
Sonia Sotomayor's story reflects not only her biography, but American history. Like Obama, she inspires us to reflect on her achievements, knowing that her pathways to success were forged by the devotion of millions during the civil and women's rights movements of the 1960's.
Posted by Elizabeth Sherman, on June 10, 2009 4:06 PM
Objective Interpretation
It's fine for elected officials to use their personal histories in campaigns. However, prospective justices should not boast about their pasts-their job is to interpret the law and the Constitution objectively.
Posted by Slade Gorton, on June 9, 2009 5:52 PM
We've Lost Authenticity
Crossing the line between selectively opening windows into personality and clear manipulation will send a public official tumbling down into the seventh circle of political hell, Spin City.
Posted by Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr., on June 9, 2009 10:41 AM
An Unwise Boast
Sonia Sotomayor's statement about her background was a boast to an audience that shared her Latina identity, not an explanation of her convictions.
Posted by Michael Maccoby, on June 9, 2009 6:38 AM
On Being "Path Dependent"
Personal stories are more authentic -- and appear more authentic -- than stories about other people, such as the "welfare queens" demonized by Ronald Reagan.
Posted by Jeffrey Pfeffer, on June 9, 2009 6:33 AM
Roosevelt's Story
If you consider American presidents of this and the past century, almost all of our successful ones had a strong narrative which the public could identify with and made them feel understood.
Posted by Warren Bennis, on June 9, 2009 6:28 AM
Personal With a Purpose
Leaders need to connect to people, to move them, and if you are going after their hearts, you have to display some of yours as well.
Posted by Marty Linsky, on June 9, 2009 6:23 AM
Built on Experience
Background, beliefs, and aspirations help form the character of a leader. By sharing personal history, leaders such as President Obama and Judge Sotomayor reveal their humanity.
Posted by Yash Gupta, on June 9, 2009 6:20 AM
Biography Is Not Destiny
Learning about a leader's personal history can us understand them, but a problem arises when we make predictions about a person's decision-making solely based on their personal history.
Posted by Kurt Schmoke, on June 8, 2009 2:50 PM
Pride Without Put-Downs
Leaders who share their personal history can "humanize" themselves, yet it is important to focus on what you learned from that background without "putting down" someone else who has had a different background.
Posted by Marshall Goldsmith, on June 8, 2009 2:34 PM
Convey Your Character
If personal histories are perceived as self-serving or conceited, all is lost. If received as a window on an appealing temperament, much can be gained.
Posted by Michael Useem, on June 8, 2009 11:42 AM
Beyond "Boxers or Briefs"
The best leaders are good communicators, and the best communicators use stories to help others see and share a vision of the future.
Posted by Ed Ruggero, on June 8, 2009 11:33 AM
A Judge's Special Obligation
Ironically, by emphasizing Judge Sotomayor's personal history, the Obama administration and her supporters have created controversy that need not exist.
Posted by Mickey Edwards, on June 8, 2009 10:41 AM
Making a Virtue of Necessity
It is telling that the personal histories prove more salient in the case of women and minorities than in the case of white males, where it should be equally relevant.
Posted by Howard Gardner, on June 8, 2009 10:29 AM
We Need Life Stories
Our lives form a story of who we are, the road we traveled, the experiences that shaped us and our dreams and aspirations. Successful leaders draw upon these aspects of their lives to help others understand their thinking and to offer a glimpse of their humanity.
Posted by Andy Stern, on June 8, 2009 10:23 AM
The Most Natural Impulse
Voters want to like, not just respect, their leaders; this requires politicians to reveal parts of themselves they might prefer to keep private.
Posted by Paul R. Portney, on June 8, 2009 10:22 AM
FEATURED COMMENTS
hrbrvs: Well, for one, if a candidate/nominee has a compelling personal story to tell that bears on his or her ability to identify with the electora...
csintala79: Yes, what is new about this? Ole' Abe, the rail splitter (self educated by reading by the light from a coal oil lamp), I cannot tell a lie ...
DOps: I find it interesting that some readers turn this into a racet-based issue. In a post-racism era, everything should be treated on an equal f...
