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SusanofO -> RE: What is "Leadership?" (3/16/2007 10:36:11 AM)
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This isn't a totally politcally-based answer, but, from what I've read, as far as personalities go, on the Myers-Briggs test, the closest thing to a true leader is the ENFJ type, IMO. The kind of person who can get other people to do something they really don't,or may not altogether want to do, simply because they are so charming and appear (or actually are) attuned to peoples' needs and desires, and convicted (or appear to be) in their own beliefs (although sometimes they can tread a fine line there, depends on the situation, IMO). Short description: These folks can sell ice to an Eskimo.
Also, IMO, a true leader has to be willing to make an unpopular decision once in awhile, if not more often than that, if they think it's the best thing to do. In politics, this can be especially tricky, of course. And of course, after you find someone like that, there's all the stuff Mernbeth said, too, added into the mix...
In order to win an election, get stuff done, and stay in office, a leader has to make a series of decisions, as far as how much it is practical to "sell themselves" (or sell out completely, perhaps) in the process. But IMO, whatever people may have thought of Bill Cinton, he got a lot of actual valuable work done - and screwed up one or two things too, but politics and legislating are complicated processes.
One leader, IMO, isn't always completely accountable for the outcome. Maybe in a "the buck stops here" and a representative sense, sure, but - there are lots of other Congress and Senate people involved, too, much of the time.
This might seem obvious, but for a true leader, integrity, and actual sometimes very hard work count for something, plus an ability to us their noggin', and especially to make indepedent decisions on especially weighty matters (even if they do ask others for "advice", they can't let someone else make the end decision). They also need to take responsibilty for their decisions, and sooner, rather than later.
However, I will caveat this by saying that: People can say they despise compromise, but it's what our legislative system is built on, IMO, it is built right into the whole system, and for some pretty good reasons, too, even though the outcome isn't always palatable to many.
Anyway, IMO, there is a lot to be said for someone who can say something like "I feel your pain" and make some others believe it (especially if they really can). Plus be savvy enough and be a good enough communicator to know how to deflect critcism, when it counts. Plus all of what I said above. To me, that is what makes people want to follow. Reagan probably had the same quality, he was just in a different political party.
- Susan
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