It's Not About "Moments"

Given the the complicated goulash of issues confronting the president right now -- some pundit recently described the economic problems facing Obama as three fire hoses aimed at his mouth -- just forget about the false drama of "leadership moments." Let's start thinking about leadership months or years. This is NOT Katrina. Think of this as the Cold War or even the six-plus years of the Iraqi entanglement.

Talking about "leadership moments" is another stupid example of the quarterly "short-termism" of Wall Street. The obstacles to be addressed and, we hope, resolved, will take years and Obama has tried to make that clear. The concept of the leadership moment tempts me to write a short book, "The One Moment Leader." Look, we're in this for the long haul and the treachery (Dante's ninth circle of hell and worst sin) of the AIG bonus is small potatoes given the more serious issues facing this president.

By Warren Bennis

 |  March 22, 2009; 10:12 PM ET
Category:  Presidential leadership Save & Share:                 
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