Bill Clinton—Blog 3
WorldNetDaily reporter, Geoff Metcalf, interviewed Professor Fred Greenstein, author of The Presidential Difference: Leadership Style from FDR to Clinton. When asked of former President Clinton’s emotional intelligence, one leadership capacity he seems to lack, Greenstein replies, “…it is an undisciplined presidency—and it is an undisciplined man” (cited in Metcalf, p. 2). This is evidenced by the highly publicized antics in Clinton’s personal life. However, because of Clinton’s charisma and leadership style, a vast majority of Americans appear to have forgiven his indiscretions.
Another of Fullan’s identified leadership capacities, moral purpose, describes Bill Clinton. Despite his indiscretions and poor decisions regarding his personal life, his love for our country and dedication to improving American lives was maintained throughout his presidency. He did not lose sight of the bigger picture as president of the greatest country in the world. As Handy (2002) states, “A worthwhile life…requires you to have a purpose beyond yourself” (cited in Fullan, 2005, p. 3).
Knowledge building and sharing are Clinton’s strongest assets. He retains a plethora of facts and figures and possesses an excellent memory. He prepares and studies to know the context of his environment. Clinton shared his expertise, resulting in leadership that is sustainable. Collins (2001) states, “…good-to-great leaders channel ambition into the company, not the self; and set up successors for even greater success in the next generation” (cited in Fullan, 2005, p. 4). Leaders leave behind other leaders, as evidenced by Barack Obama’s cabinet members, some of whom we recognize from the Clinton era.
References
Collins, J. (2001). t.Good to great. New York: HarperCollins.
Fullman, M., Ph.D. (2005). Leadership ad sustainability. Center for development and learning. Retrieved from http://www.cdl.org/resource-library/articles/ldr_sustainability.php
Greenstein, Fred (Interviewee) & Metcalf, Geoff (Interviewer). U.S. leadership style: FDR to Clinton. Retrieved from www.geoffmetcalf.com/qu/19639.html
Handy, C. (2002). The elephant and the flea. London, Hutchinson.
Metcalf, Geoff (Interviewer) & Greenstein, Fred (Interviewee). U.S. leadership style: FDR to Clinton. Retrieved from www.geoffmetcalf.com/qu/19639.html
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Bill Clinton--Post 2
Bill Clinton—chankeeED614—Blog2
Without a doubt, one of Bill Clinton’s prominent leadership qualities is that he knows the context of his community; he knows his audience. Clinton is a grassroots politician from common roots, an attribute that is attractive to many blue-collar Americans. Marty Kaplan was at one time Disney Productions’ Vice President, and he contributes his success in the movie business to knowing the context of the community, the movie industry. Before starting his job with Disney Productions, he spent countless hours reviewing movies, trying to get a sense of what made them successful. Kaplan (2009) concurs, “I’ve always been in worlds where knowing the community has been important” (cited in Bennis, 2009, p. 54).
The second of Clinton’s leadership qualities—risk taking—is probably the foremost reason for his winning the presidency. Bill Clinton’s obvious risk-taking tenacity is evident from the 1992 presidential election. “President George Herbert Bush had a 90% approval rating in the polls following the Persian Gulf Conflict” (Schoenberg, 2001, p. 1). Other Democrats were opting out of candidacy in fear of losing to the incumbent Republican, but this did not stop the unlikely candidate from Arkansas. Clinton remained steadfast to the challenge, kept his eyes on the goal, and eventually won the election. According to Schoenberg (2001), “He demonstrated the ability to stay on course despite the ideological sling-shots of his opponents who underestimated his determination, courage, and persistence” (p. 2).
The third of Clinton’s qualities—lifelong learner—is evident in his ability to learn facts and figures in preparation for his audience. During the 1992 election Clinton, known for his crossword puzzle obsession, was being interviewed by Will Shortz, who was crossword editor for the New York Times, a major newspaper renowned for its challenging puzzles. To Shortz’s amazement Clinton completed a puzzle during the interview in record time. Shortz (1992) astounds, “It was absolutely perfect and he had finished it in six minutes and 54 seconds” (p. 1).
Another of Clinton’s leadership qualities—direct yourself, do not be directed by others—became apparent when he was just a teenager. This was probably the turning point in his life. After Clinton’s mother and siblings suffered years of physical abuse from his alcoholic stepfather, he [Clinton] one day stood up to the man and threatened him. Schoenberg (2001) concurs, “After that, his self-destructive stepfather left everyone else alone” (p. 2).
One more of Clinton’s characteristics that deserves mentioning is his compassion, a trait he and I share. Despite the years of abuse from his stepfather, later when the man lay dying of cancer, Clinton drove hundreds of miles every weekend to visit him.
Failure seemed to be the impetus for Bill Clinton’s impelling desire for success. Despite the poverty and emotional and physical abuse that were conditions of Clinton’s childhood, he managed to overcome the negatives, learn from them, and go on to become the 42nd president of the United States.
References
Schoenberg, Philip E., Ph.D. (2001). The presidential expert. Retrieved from http://www.presidentialexpert.com/leadership_bill_clinton.html
Shortz, Will (Interviewer) & Clinton, William (Interviewee). (1992). Retrieved from http://www.fun-with-words.com/first_crossword.html
Kaplan, Marty. (2009). In Bennis, Warren. (2009). ). On becoming a leader: The leadership classic. New York: Perseus.
Bennis, Warren. (2009). On becoming a leader: The leadership classic. New York: Perseus.
Without a doubt, one of Bill Clinton’s prominent leadership qualities is that he knows the context of his community; he knows his audience. Clinton is a grassroots politician from common roots, an attribute that is attractive to many blue-collar Americans. Marty Kaplan was at one time Disney Productions’ Vice President, and he contributes his success in the movie business to knowing the context of the community, the movie industry. Before starting his job with Disney Productions, he spent countless hours reviewing movies, trying to get a sense of what made them successful. Kaplan (2009) concurs, “I’ve always been in worlds where knowing the community has been important” (cited in Bennis, 2009, p. 54).
The second of Clinton’s leadership qualities—risk taking—is probably the foremost reason for his winning the presidency. Bill Clinton’s obvious risk-taking tenacity is evident from the 1992 presidential election. “President George Herbert Bush had a 90% approval rating in the polls following the Persian Gulf Conflict” (Schoenberg, 2001, p. 1). Other Democrats were opting out of candidacy in fear of losing to the incumbent Republican, but this did not stop the unlikely candidate from Arkansas. Clinton remained steadfast to the challenge, kept his eyes on the goal, and eventually won the election. According to Schoenberg (2001), “He demonstrated the ability to stay on course despite the ideological sling-shots of his opponents who underestimated his determination, courage, and persistence” (p. 2).
The third of Clinton’s qualities—lifelong learner—is evident in his ability to learn facts and figures in preparation for his audience. During the 1992 election Clinton, known for his crossword puzzle obsession, was being interviewed by Will Shortz, who was crossword editor for the New York Times, a major newspaper renowned for its challenging puzzles. To Shortz’s amazement Clinton completed a puzzle during the interview in record time. Shortz (1992) astounds, “It was absolutely perfect and he had finished it in six minutes and 54 seconds” (p. 1).
Another of Clinton’s leadership qualities—direct yourself, do not be directed by others—became apparent when he was just a teenager. This was probably the turning point in his life. After Clinton’s mother and siblings suffered years of physical abuse from his alcoholic stepfather, he [Clinton] one day stood up to the man and threatened him. Schoenberg (2001) concurs, “After that, his self-destructive stepfather left everyone else alone” (p. 2).
One more of Clinton’s characteristics that deserves mentioning is his compassion, a trait he and I share. Despite the years of abuse from his stepfather, later when the man lay dying of cancer, Clinton drove hundreds of miles every weekend to visit him.
Failure seemed to be the impetus for Bill Clinton’s impelling desire for success. Despite the poverty and emotional and physical abuse that were conditions of Clinton’s childhood, he managed to overcome the negatives, learn from them, and go on to become the 42nd president of the United States.
References
Schoenberg, Philip E., Ph.D. (2001). The presidential expert. Retrieved from http://www.presidentialexpert.com/leadership_bill_clinton.html
Shortz, Will (Interviewer) & Clinton, William (Interviewee). (1992). Retrieved from http://www.fun-with-words.com/first_crossword.html
Kaplan, Marty. (2009). In Bennis, Warren. (2009). ). On becoming a leader: The leadership classic. New York: Perseus.
Bennis, Warren. (2009). On becoming a leader: The leadership classic. New York: Perseus.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton—chankeeED614—Blog1
William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, is a brilliant Rhodes scholar, a distinction setting him apart from all other commanders-in-chief. Despite his humble beginnings in Arkansas, Clinton rose to greatness through fortitude and perseverance. Encouraged by his mother and teachers to reach his full potential, he went on to study at George Washington University, to graduate from Yale Law School, and to attend Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship.
Clinton typifies qualities that are possessed by successful leaders. He communicates effectively, knows himself, knows his community, strives to be visionary, seizes opportunities, takes risks, inspires others, prepares extensively, learns from mistakes, and fosters coherence. Walter Lippmann (2008) says of Clinton, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. Clinton recognizes the reality that the conviction and the will have to be effectively communicated before it [they] can be acted on, before people will follow his vision, his dream” (p. 2).
Chester A. Schriesheim (1993), a University of Miami professor, describes Clinton’s ability to influence his constituents: “By his own admission, Clinton governs through persuasion, which only can come through dialogue” (p. 1).
Clinton believes, “People engaged by their leaders in a conversation feel better about the outcome, even if they would prefer a different one, simply because they are given a chance to have their say” (p. 2).
Bill Clinton is my leader of choice because, despite his inability to make prudent decisions regarding his personal life, he managed to convey a vision of strength and unity to the American people. His charismatic charm and powers of persuasion helped unite America at a time when many lost hope, faith, and confidence in the integrity of our leaders.
References
Clinton, William J. (August, 1993). Clinton’s style reflects the times. USA Today. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2579_v122/ai_13253075/
Lippmann, Walter. (2008). Bill Clinton speech—making the change he wanted to see. Retrieved from http://www.find_the_words.com/Bill-Clinton-Speech.html
Schriesheim, Chester A. (August 1993). Clinton’s style reflects the times. USA Today. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2579_v122/ai_13253075/
William Jefferson Clinton, the 42nd president of the United States, is a brilliant Rhodes scholar, a distinction setting him apart from all other commanders-in-chief. Despite his humble beginnings in Arkansas, Clinton rose to greatness through fortitude and perseverance. Encouraged by his mother and teachers to reach his full potential, he went on to study at George Washington University, to graduate from Yale Law School, and to attend Oxford University on a Rhodes scholarship.
Clinton typifies qualities that are possessed by successful leaders. He communicates effectively, knows himself, knows his community, strives to be visionary, seizes opportunities, takes risks, inspires others, prepares extensively, learns from mistakes, and fosters coherence. Walter Lippmann (2008) says of Clinton, “The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in other men the conviction and the will to carry on. Clinton recognizes the reality that the conviction and the will have to be effectively communicated before it [they] can be acted on, before people will follow his vision, his dream” (p. 2).
Chester A. Schriesheim (1993), a University of Miami professor, describes Clinton’s ability to influence his constituents: “By his own admission, Clinton governs through persuasion, which only can come through dialogue” (p. 1).
Clinton believes, “People engaged by their leaders in a conversation feel better about the outcome, even if they would prefer a different one, simply because they are given a chance to have their say” (p. 2).
Bill Clinton is my leader of choice because, despite his inability to make prudent decisions regarding his personal life, he managed to convey a vision of strength and unity to the American people. His charismatic charm and powers of persuasion helped unite America at a time when many lost hope, faith, and confidence in the integrity of our leaders.
References
Clinton, William J. (August, 1993). Clinton’s style reflects the times. USA Today. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2579_v122/ai_13253075/
Lippmann, Walter. (2008). Bill Clinton speech—making the change he wanted to see. Retrieved from http://www.find_the_words.com/Bill-Clinton-Speech.html
Schriesheim, Chester A. (August 1993). Clinton’s style reflects the times. USA Today. Retrieved from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1272/is_n2579_v122/ai_13253075/
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