Archive: Coro Fellows
Deal or no deal?
The owners perceive players as disrespectful and entitled. The players view the owners as greedy and unsympathetic to the long-term risks of playing professional football...
By Coro Fellows | March 8, 2011; 07:40 AM ET | Comments (16)
Governor Walker's tightrope walk
This question presents a false dichotomy: restoring the state's fiscal health and the longer-term challenge of leading a governmental enterprise are not opposing forces that need to be balanced, but instead complementary goals that...
By Coro Fellows | March 1, 2011; 03:40 PM ET | Comments (20)
How to build democracy
The best way to hold onto power without destroying a country with political upheaval is to hush those who speak against you while covering the ears of others before they hear what is going on...
By Coro Fellows | February 22, 2011; 12:36 PM ET | Comments (17)
Compromise: Strength, weakness or a way of the past?
Compromise often results in someone feeling as though they gave up too much or received too little. Leaders do not have the room for these results...
By Coro Fellows | February 15, 2011; 11:19 AM ET | Comments (1)
Speaking the digital vernacular
While the "Internet Age" has brought convenience, the same issues of governance and ethics will remain unanswered until we begin thinking outside the 140-character box...
By Coro Fellows | February 8, 2011; 11:07 AM ET | Comments (8)
Power to the people
Perhaps Kanye West can claim to be the voice of this generation. It seems the often-maligned rapper was peering into the future when he wrote, in his most recent album, that "no one man should have all that power"--a mantra taken up, at least in spirit, by the millions of Egyptians protesting...
By Coro Fellows | February 1, 2011; 07:46 AM ET | Comments (3)
B+
Consensus building is a messy process. I have seen this within a team of just 12 individuals, let alone 535 voting members of Congress...
By Coro Fellows | January 25, 2011; 11:48 PM ET | Comments (3)
China and the art of communication
Politicians, economists and the media in the United States have connected China's undervaluation of the yuan and its multi-billion dollar trade surplus with a lack of domestic American jobs...
By Coro Fellows | January 18, 2011; 03:35 AM ET | Comments (1)
From rhetoric to reality
Today's violent rhetoric is a symptom of a larger social virus, one that has attacked and crippled the American attention span. After this weekend's unspeakable tragedy, many...
By Coro Fellows | January 11, 2011; 10:47 AM ET | Comments (1)
House Reps: Don't throw the baby out with the bath water....
A leader does not erase the past. A leader will build off the past to forward his or her agenda. Repealing President Obama's health-care bill will not magically bring back the health-care debate of 2008...
By Coro Fellows | January 4, 2011; 11:52 AM ET | Comments (10)
The meaning of an asterisk
Add Cam Newton's reception of the Heisman Trophy to the long list of examples of athletic "excellence" coming before sports "integrity." Many names come to mind, but the quintessential example...
By Coro Fellows | December 13, 2010; 11:28 PM ET | Comments (0)
On tax cuts, pragmatism vs. principle
The Democrats had an opportunity to tell a story about the tremendous pain that withholding the unemployment extensions could cause to millions, pain which the Republicans were willing to inflict it in order to preserve tax cuts for the wealthy. Yet the debate...
By Coro Fellows | December 7, 2010; 08:22 AM ET | Comments (14)
Upending conventional wisdom
It seems that at the root of the spending and tax problem is a deficiency in the behavior of the American public, deepened through citizens' misaligned expectations of their leaders...
By Coro Fellows | November 30, 2010; 10:33 AM ET | Comments (4)
Give us liberty (and, while you're at it, save us from death)!
the TSA should launch a public education campaign. Such an effort should be devoid of slick propaganda and clever slogans. Rather, I want statistics as well as evidence of nuanced thinking on the part of the decision-makers.
By Coro Fellows | November 23, 2010; 02:13 AM ET | Comments (10)
The 'mechanics' of leadership
Remember when Rick Wagoner flew by private jet to DC to ask for a bailout? GM's executives ignored the seemingly obvious cost-cutting measure of reducing executive pay--something Toyota enacted without government instruction. A sense of "just" compensation--legitimate or not--prevents both union leaders and executives from making the obvious decision to cut costs...
By Coro Fellows | November 16, 2010; 12:34 AM ET | Comments (1)
Things fall apart
How can Congress make the best use of the next two years? To answer that question it is important to note that the interests of the Democratic Party should not supersede the interests of our nation. Rather, our next minority leader must further bipartisan decision-making. As such, there is no need to look at whether Speaker Pelosi is the best person for the...
By Coro Fellows | November 9, 2010; 04:10 PM ET | Comments (3)
Hope: Version 2.0?
Question: Like U.S. presidents, military and non-profit leaders often face the equivalent of "midterm elections" in which they and their strategies are subject to an initial market test or performance evaluation. What's the first thing President Obama, or any leader,...
By Coro Fellows | November 3, 2010; 02:26 PM ET | Comments (3)
On compromise and campaign finance
The concept of compromise as a desirable end-result neglects the notion that differences are often acceptable and, indeed, desirable--it should not necessarily be the goal of government to bring all people together. This seems to be particularly true around hot-button social issues, when a politician's "values" are being tested, and compromising to build consensus might compromise...
By Coro Fellows | October 26, 2010; 08:41 AM ET | Comments (13)
360 degrees of Don Draper
Don Draper's Machiavellian leadership style can certainly claim many successes in the show. His consistently brutal criticism motivated Draper's subordinates on various occasions to work late nights in order to seek his approval. His unbiased appreciation for quality work provided Peggy the opportunity to leave her secretary's desk and earn a position as a copywriter. However, Draper's emotional detachment and unapologetic attitude also produced some costs in his professional...
By Coro Fellows | October 18, 2010; 05:33 PM ET | Comments (9)
What can we learn from Christie?
Many Democrats, including myself, have been lulled into a begrudging respect for Christie. As much as we'd like to see new multi-billion dollar tunnels and drastic raises in education expenditures, we realize that we're no longer living in the era of the blank check, and no one can get furious...
By Coro Fellows | October 12, 2010; 01:43 PM ET | Comments (10)
Game is good, but sometimes you can win without it
More generally, chief executive officers do not face the same "outside game" requirements as, say, political leaders. CEOs sell a product, while politicians are the product. Campaigning is inherently linked to a candidate's image because voters...
By Coro Fellows | October 7, 2010; 11:40 AM ET | Comments (1)
Experts and advisers and leaders, oh my
A generation who judges its importance by numbers of blog followers and Facebook friends is bereft of leadership that dares to be unpopular. However, the "unpopular" role is one that leaders often have to play. If expert advice conflicts with what leadership senses is the best...
By Coro Fellows | September 28, 2010; 09:51 AM ET | Comments (3)
Stop expecting deliverance
Israel cannot continue to put governing bodies, like the United States, in compromising positions and expect deliverance every time.
By Coro Fellows | June 2, 2010; 12:00 PM ET | Comments (6)
Keeping UC Berkeley's promise
The prestige of schools like UC Berkeley comes, in part, from the simple promise that any talented student, from any socioeconomic background, can attend. Keeping that promise must be at the center of any budget decisions made by the University of California system.
By Coro Fellows | May 25, 2010; 03:00 PM ET | Comments (0)
A suddenly fashionable name
Rand Paul has benefited from the perfect mixture of lineage and political climate to potentially win a Senate seat; that alone won't be enough for him to lead effectively if he gets to Washington.
By Coro Fellows | May 21, 2010; 05:58 AM ET | Comments (43)
Skin-deep diversity
The value of diversity is not captured in a photograph; it is realized when different perspectives are brought to the table that were shaped by varying experiences.
By Coro Fellows | May 18, 2010; 04:31 AM ET | Comments (0)
'The beauty of your dreams'
The power of the first lady lies not in the title, but in the spirit, conviction, and leadership of the individual.
By Coro Fellows | May 13, 2010; 05:00 AM ET | Comments (0)
The qualification of integrity
Numerous leaders have brought in new ideas, but failed in their inability to stay true to a core set of values or principles.
By Coro Fellows | May 11, 2010; 02:40 AM ET | Comments (0)
Iron Man vs. Captain America
Iron Man and Captain America once nearly destroyed each other -- and then mourned for all they had lost. The GOP and tea party should find a 'win/win' collaboration that works.
By Coro Fellows | May 6, 2010; 02:29 AM ET | Comments (3)
Not as bad as you think
On a global scale, fragile ecological systems may be safer if drilling occurs under US regulations and with US technologies.
By Coro Fellows | May 4, 2010; 12:03 PM ET | Comments (8)
Arizona's 'Hiccup,' the dragon-trainer
As of late, upper-level leaders had allowed immigration reform to become nothing more than a bullet on a list of "things to do if I am elected." Gov. Jan Brewer is taking action, however much I may disagree with it, towards reforming immigration in the U.S.
By Coro Fellows | April 29, 2010; 08:03 AM ET | Comments (11)
Failed leaders
The leaders of Goldman Sachs have failed. Not just in their business practices, but in their integrity.
By Coro Fellows | April 27, 2010; 01:02 PM ET | Comments (1)
Age of the millennial
For many millenials, its always the right time to 'take charge.'
By Coro Fellows | April 22, 2010; 12:01 PM ET | Comments (0)
Receding airlines
It was Sy Sperling who showed what it meant to share risk with your customers: 'I'm not only the Hair Club president, I'm also a client.'
By Coro Fellows | April 20, 2010; 05:55 AM ET | Comments (2)
Beating around the Bush
When popularity is high people are more inclined to follow and give you the benefit of the doubt -- even if you are wrong.
By Coro Fellows | April 15, 2010; 12:46 AM ET | Comments (0)
Curing our evolutionary hangover
Q: This week's nuclear summit presents one of those difficult leadership challenge: focusing attention and resources on a low-probability problem that would be disastrous if it occurred. Global warming, 100-year floods, financial meltdowns are other examples. How can a leader...
By Coro Fellows | April 13, 2010; 04:27 AM ET | Comments (5)
Explosive but not spontaneous
By allowing people to invest in a common cause, leaders display their recognition of their follower's power and prevent the seeds of rage from sprouting.
By Coro Fellows | April 8, 2010; 07:24 AM ET | Comments (0)
Survival of the sorriest
Tiger nailed the conference because he let his honest, repentant, and reflective self shine through.
By Coro Fellows | April 6, 2010; 06:15 AM ET | Comments (11)
Take a look in the mirror
The Pope's understanding of justice appears to be different than that of many critics outside the Catholic Church.
By Coro Fellows | March 30, 2010; 06:32 AM ET | Comments (0)
'Do no evil'
When an organization has the capacity and courage to act on values that are fundamental to their operations, its leaders must act or risk undermining the group's purpose and foundations.
By Coro Fellows | March 25, 2010; 06:30 AM ET | Comments (0)
If you can't beat 'em...
If health-care reform turns out to be as popular as Democrats hope, the GOP should consider one of the oldest political tricks in the book: if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.
By Coro Fellows | March 23, 2010; 06:00 AM ET | Comments (3)
Disappointing performance
By aiming for unrealistic goals like bi-partisanship, Obama's initiative was more susceptible to failure and delays.
By Coro Fellows | March 18, 2010; 01:58 AM ET | Comments (4)
Dump the carrot, drop the stick
There is no uniform salve for the United State's increasingly difficult international relations; the carrot and the stick are far too simple for these issues.
By Coro Fellows | March 16, 2010; 06:28 AM ET | Comments (4)
Appetite for arrogance
We have moved beyond allowing leaders to have, a la Henry VIII, whatever sexual conquest they desire. Too bad some of our leaders didn't get this memo.
By Coro Fellows | March 11, 2010; 03:03 AM ET | Comments (0)
Not the storm you want
Upton Sinclair said that he had meant to hit the country in the heart and had instead hit them in the stomach.
By Coro Fellows | March 9, 2010; 06:10 AM ET | Comments (0)
The ventriloquist and the dummy
Behind the thinly veiled trick, the puppet has no voice. Self-aware leaders continually search for, and use, their own voice.
By Coro Fellows | March 4, 2010; 04:43 AM ET | Comments (1)
Leaders: Approach the confessional!
Honesty for leaders is still the best policy. Because if they don't talk about it first, someone else will bring it up.
By Coro Fellows | March 2, 2010; 12:40 AM ET | Comments (1)
Moments of excellence
Demoralization comes from feeling fear and doubt. It does not come from having high goals.
By Coro Fellows | February 25, 2010; 12:33 AM ET | Comments (5)
The great Republican uprising
The Great Republican Uprising will be one of the most monumental political power shifts of our time -- if you exclude the Great Democratic Revolt of 2008.
By Coro Fellows | February 23, 2010; 12:45 AM ET | Comments (49)
Man of Steel
Calling to mind the Man of Steel is my catalyst to see the positive, allowing me to be what a younger me had always hoped for: something of a superhero.
By Coro Fellows | February 18, 2010; 12:55 PM ET | Comments (0)
Emotional legitimacy
In the case of the 9/11 trial, a deeply personal pain has been unnecessarily politicized.
By Coro Fellows | February 16, 2010; 02:30 AM ET | Comments (20)
Failing its own test
Toyota failure stems from not meeting the standards it had set for itself.
By Coro Fellows | February 11, 2010; 01:24 PM ET | Comments (0)
The Palin of the past
Sarah Palin's time as Alaska governor, however short, demonstrated there is a kernel of classic, honest, humble leadership in Palin.
By Coro Fellows | February 9, 2010; 11:31 AM ET | Comments (14)
California's cautionary tale
For a gripping lesson in budget management, look no further than the celebrities in the California state legislature.
By Coro Fellows | February 2, 2010; 02:19 PM ET | Comments (0)
Camped outside their door
Good leadership is, essentially, good storytelling. Apple's products aren't just objects, they are integral parts of consumers' daily stories.
By Coro Fellows | January 28, 2010; 03:16 PM ET | Comments (0)
The SOTU first draft
"The work is hard but history tells us we have only one choice: to push through the changes we need. (Mention previous eight years, skillfully point out that none of the current problems are actually my fault)."
By Coro Fellows | January 27, 2010; 12:57 PM ET | Comments (0)
Just playing it safe
Politically, Obama is treading lightly. He has not aggressively pushed his agenda and instead makes decisions to keep people happy.
By Coro Fellows | January 19, 2010; 01:40 AM ET | Comments (2)
Defining our generation
it is during these events like Haiti when my generation witnesses the potential of the world to exhibit love and empathy towards our fellow human beings.
By Coro Fellows | January 17, 2010; 07:53 AM ET | Comments (0)
Whispering about race
Harry Reid's comments don't just address how we speak about race; they reveal how we think about it.
By Coro Fellows | January 12, 2010; 11:51 AM ET | Comments (5)
The Kindergarten lesson
In a time when external rewards, like bonuses, may be in short supply, internal motivation will be key.
By Coro Fellows | January 5, 2010; 06:20 AM ET | Comments (10)
Inspiring boldness
These moments of courage by regular citizens remind me of the power of action and our ability to create change rather than simply follow others and do nothing.
By Coro Fellows | December 30, 2009; 07:45 AM ET | Comments (11)
One party's traitor, another party's hero
What happens when your conscience comes in direct conflict with your political party's core values?
By Coro Fellows | December 22, 2009; 06:29 AM ET | Comments (2)
#Leadership in 140 characters
Biz Stone and Evan Williams have created a communications revolution with Twitter.
By Coro Fellows | December 15, 2009; 05:59 AM ET | Comments (5)
Gossip on a massive scale
Twittering about Tiger's affair is entertainment. Let's not elevate gossip to the level of discourse by pretending his private life has any impact on our own.
By Coro Fellows | December 8, 2009; 02:31 PM ET | Comments (6)
Laying with the enemy
Considering that little success has been achieved through working with expatriate and Westernized Afghanis, U.S. leaders should consider capitalizing upon entrenched Afghan power structures.
By Coro Fellows | December 1, 2009; 12:54 PM ET | Comments (3)
The Optimus Prime way
When I was a kid, the Transformer Optimus Prime inspired and moved me. Leadership is the power to inspire others through symbols.
By Coro Fellows | November 24, 2009; 02:05 PM ET | Comments (0)
What profit can't solve
Making social problems a business focus is great, but what happens when addressing social issues is no longer seen as profitable? We still need corporate philanthropy.
By Coro Fellows | November 17, 2009; 07:02 AM ET | Comments (4)
Villified leaders
Vilifying leaders for prioritizing goals inhibits their ability to do exactly what they were entrusted to do: make decisions.
By Coro Fellows | November 10, 2009; 01:31 AM ET | Comments (18)
Wall Street's Semper Fi?
What if executives at AIG, Bank of America, and General Motors saluted the flag and vowed to uphold our most basic American values?
By Coro Fellows | November 3, 2009; 12:43 AM ET | Comments (6)
Failure or its aftermath?
While Zorn's dismissal as play-caller technically throws his leadership into question, it does so no more than the atrophied offense he has put onto the field thus far.
By Coro Fellows | October 27, 2009; 01:26 PM ET | Comments (5)
