Right now, there is a big spotlight on the topic of LEADERSHIP. We see the need for leadership everywhere. We also see the lack of it in too many situations. It isn't clear that many of us are stopping to acknowledge what a careful examination of leadership's current state reveals. Our organizations, countries, local communities and the world are calling out for a new generation of leaders to lead the way to better times for all people. There has got to be more that leadership can do to bring what seems so many out of control situations into calm. It's easy to point the fingers at political parties and individuals. It is more difficult to accept the responsibility that the future rests, in part, with our individual leadership contributions, our involvement and our openness to refresh, renew and recommitment to a new level of leadership to guide the way to a more generous, productive, peaceful, equitable existence for all people.
A NATIONAL STUDY of CONFIDENCE IN LEADERSHIP
U.S. News & World Report, along with the Center for Public Leadership, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, commissioned TSC, a division of Yankelovich, Inc. to conduct a public opinion poll among American adults about the state of leadership in the country today, their views on what is important in good leadership, and their confidence in various leaders. The highlights of the survey were very telling about our current level of confidence:
• Americans are highly critical of the state of leadership in the country. • Confidence in specific leadership groups is mixed–index is highest for military and medical leaders; lowest for the press, executive branch, and congress. • Americans most often look for honesty and integrity in their leaders. • Americans see themselves as part of the leadership problem for not being better informed. • Americans have some optimism about the future of American leadership. • Americans feel the country will be better off with more women in leadership positions. • Americans have reservations about government’s emergency response. • Older Americans are the most critical of the nation’s leaders. • Americans often respond to leadership issues along partisan lines.
What stood out at first glance in the survey results were some of the specific views about why people are critical about the state of leadership in the United States: QUESTION: 73% Out of touch with the average person 64% Have been corrupted by being in power 62% Are mostly out to enrich themselves monetarily 61% Are mostly trying to do their best 58% Cannot be trusted 39% Have high ethical standards 28% Are the best we can do 27% Are the best and the brightest The most important traits of being a good leader according to this study were: YOUR OWN PERSONAL STUDY ON THE CONFIDENCE OF LEADERSHIP Based on the list of 11 good leader traits, how many of these fit America's current leaders? Which ones do you readily see in action and why? I leave you pondering these questions myself. Debbe Kennedy
In your view, do each of the following phrases describe or not describe most leaders in this country today? Results...
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