On Leadership Panelists: Archives by Category - On Leadership at washingtonpost.com

Ben Franklin's Town-Hall Advice

Ben Franklin helped sealed the deal on the U.S. Constitution 222 years ago this week. How did he do it? By encouraging fellow citizens do something few do today on health care: Compromise.

By Ed Ruggero | September 10, 2009; 06:19 AM ET | Comments (23)

Raise Revenues First

How many successful CEOs can you name off the top of your head who weren't associated with massively increased revenues? It is the clearest sign for followers that you are succeeding as a leader.

By Roger Martin | August 24, 2009; 08:34 AM ET | Comments (0)

Be a Fear Fighter

At this point, President Obama should be fighting the public fear of health-care reform - not using fear to discipline his party.

By Joanne B. Ciulla | August 21, 2009; 10:39 AM ET | Comments (10)

Respect, Not Fear

Leaders need to be respected by people, who know that they will be held accountable for their results by their leaders.

By Bill George | August 20, 2009; 06:33 AM ET | Comments (2)

Finding the Right Sticks

Orchestrating the right incentives, both positive and negative, and holding people accountable for results, will allow President Obama to effect change we can all believe in.

By Robert Goodwin | August 19, 2009; 11:59 AM ET | Comments (0)

Wistful for W.'s Resolve

Whether or not you liked George W. Bush, you have to concede that he often showed resolve. You don't see a lot of resolve in President Obama when he speaks about policies.

By Yash Gupta | August 18, 2009; 01:05 PM ET | Comments (53)

Not If But When

Any new president faces that challenge of being at times loved and other times feared, this president is no different.

By Andy Stern | August 18, 2009; 01:00 PM ET | Comments (3)

Not a Dictatorship

Our president's role should not be to "punish" people who stand up for their own interests - or to threaten members of Congress.

By Marshall Goldsmith | August 18, 2009; 12:56 PM ET | Comments (1)

Fear of Failure

In American institutions -- whether government with President Obama, or business with the CEO -- fear of an individual doesn't instill that much fear.

By Ken Adelman | August 18, 2009; 12:52 PM ET | Comments (4)

'Rahm-ing' It Through

President Obama can resort to a Machiavellian '"stick" approach or he can attempt to educate or inspire the country to a different model of how to do business.

By Howard Gardner | August 18, 2009; 12:44 PM ET | Comments (1)

Silent Sabotage

One who bullies, is arbitrary, or otherwise instills fear, is more likely to breed failure than success and may well stir resentment that can lead to betrayal or silent sabotage.

By Mickey Edwards | August 18, 2009; 12:40 PM ET | Comments (1)

The Non-Existent Whip

Leadership at this level is persuasiveness in selling sound policy, not cracking a non-existent whip. And all the more so with the private sector.

By Slade Gorton | August 18, 2009; 12:35 PM ET | Comments (1)

Credibility, Not Threats

If President Obama demonstrates skill in getting his way and gains credibility as a leader to be reckoned with, fear won't be necessary.

By Gen. Monty Meigs (Ret.) | August 18, 2009; 12:14 PM ET | Comments (2)

Utter Nonsense

We don't need mountains of research to understand this basic truth: We will work harder and more effectively for people we like. And we will like them in direct proportion to how they make us feel.

By Barry Posner | August 18, 2009; 12:09 PM ET | Comments (2)

The Political Disciplinarian

Everyone gets to save face when the trip to the proverbial woodshed is a private affair.

By Ed Ruggero | August 18, 2009; 11:56 AM ET | Comments (1)

Even Pickett's Charge

Even the men who died in combat at Gettysburg's horrific struggle were led into battle by leaders who used inspiration rather than intimidation.

By Col. Charles D. Allen | August 18, 2009; 11:50 AM ET | Comments (3)

No Place for Intimidation

I categorically reject the notion that the leader should be feared in addition to being admired, trusted and respected.

By Col. Michael E. Haith (Ret.) | August 18, 2009; 11:36 AM ET | Comments (23)

Not in the Quiver

Fear won't work for this president at this this time because those Blue Dog Democrats and some Republicans are fearful but not of the president.

By Warren Bennis | August 18, 2009; 10:30 AM ET | Comments (2)

The Unripe Moment

The fear factor for many in Congress at this point is voter retribution not presidential retribution.

By Kurt Schmoke | August 18, 2009; 10:24 AM ET | Comments (8)

Negative Incentives Needed

The Obama team should now be at work charting what incentives, positive and negative, they can use with Democrats who are on the fence about voting for health-care reform

By Michael Maccoby | August 18, 2009; 10:15 AM ET | Comments (2)

Moving Past the 'Anti-Bush'

Consistency is a virtue for good management. Unpredictability is a virtue for successful leadership.

By Marty Linsky | August 18, 2009; 10:05 AM ET | Comments (0)

Will They Come When You Call? Shakespeare's Leadership Challenge

Most businesses are like large volunteer organizations: The best employees have lots of alternatives. The task of the leader is to win their hearts and minds to rally around a common vision, and no one outlines that task more clearly than Shakespeare.

By Robert Bruner | July 21, 2009; 02:38 PM ET | Comments (13)

Ten Minutes of Snow-Capped Solitude

Honest Tea CEO Seth Goldman reconnects with fellow leaders from around the world at the Aspen Institute's ACT II conference -- and rediscovers "the shortness of life."

By Seth Goldman | June 25, 2009; 11:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

Video Transcript: Mandalay CEO Peter Guber on Leadership

Peter Guber, CEO and Chair of Mandalay Entertainment Group, answered questions for On Leadership after he spoke at the 2009 Wharton Leadership Conference. WATCH THE VIDEO: Why Story Is the "Secret Sauce" What movie taught you the most about leadership?...

By Andrea Useem | June 24, 2009; 09:12 PM ET | Comments (1)

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.

By Col. Charles D. Allen | June 12, 2009; 10:12 AM ET | Comments (0)

Transparency Needed

We are shaped by our past. The question is how aware are we of our filters and biases and how they influence the choices we make.

By Gail S. Williams | June 11, 2009; 11:03 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Patricia McGinnis | June 11, 2009; 10:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Elizabeth Sherman | June 10, 2009; 04:06 PM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Slade Gorton | June 9, 2009; 05:52 PM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Benjamin W. Heineman, Jr. | June 9, 2009; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Michael Maccoby | June 9, 2009; 06:38 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Jeffrey Pfeffer | June 9, 2009; 06:33 AM ET | Comments (1)

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.

By Warren Bennis | June 9, 2009; 06:28 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Marty Linsky | June 9, 2009; 06:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Yash Gupta | June 9, 2009; 06:20 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Kurt Schmoke | June 8, 2009; 02:50 PM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Marshall Goldsmith | June 8, 2009; 02:34 PM ET | Comments (1)

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.

By Michael Useem | June 8, 2009; 11:42 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Ed Ruggero | June 8, 2009; 11:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Mickey Edwards | June 8, 2009; 10:41 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Howard Gardner | June 8, 2009; 10:29 AM ET | Comments (1)

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.

By Andy Stern | June 8, 2009; 10:23 AM ET | Comments (0)

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.

By Paul R. Portney | June 8, 2009; 10:22 AM ET | Comments (0)

Does Competence Trump Charisma?

People skills, or charisma, are as important as competence when it comes to being a great leader.

By Thomas S. Bateman | June 1, 2009; 12:12 PM ET | Comments (6)

Steve Jobs Is Not Dull: Why Context Matters in CEO Success

David Brooks has joined a parade of thinkers who endorse the idea that the best CEOs are "dull," self-effacing conscientious folks. In fact, context matters, and some business leaders need charisma, just as political leaders also need strategy.

By Michael Maccoby | May 22, 2009; 12:53 PM ET | Comments (10)

Leading in an Unstable World

Politics are increasingly shaping our lives -- from where we get our oil to who owns our banks -- and business-decision makers and other leaders must become more savvy about political risks, especially as the destabilizing effects of financial crisis unfold around the world.

By Ian Bremmer | March 24, 2009; 03:39 PM ET | Comments (5)

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