Photo Credit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009
The Power and Pressure of Leadership
When things go wrong, we learn. We learn that assumptions lead to a variety of disappointments and decisions. We learn that communication isn’t as effective as we want it to be. We learn that even the mundane routines of leadership can have cracks. And that even experienced leaders make off-hand comments that blow up into major issues. Take Barrack Obama, for instance.
Jay Leno asked Obama about his bowling prowess, or lack thereof. That was the popular joke during the campaign. Obama proudly said he recently bowled a 129, and as Leno was mocking it, Obama joined in and compared it to the Special Olympics. "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something."
Sure enough, we understand how the media works in North America. As does the White House. Spokesman Bill Burton released a statement aboard Air Force One after the show aired:
"The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."
Leadership Moments Count
When things go wrong, we learn. We learn that assumptions lead to a variety of disappointments and decisions. We learn that communication isn’t as effective as we want it to be. We learn that even the mundane routines of leadership can have cracks. And that even experienced leaders make off-hand comments that blow up into major issues. Take Barrack Obama, for instance.
Jay Leno asked Obama about his bowling prowess, or lack thereof. That was the popular joke during the campaign. Obama proudly said he recently bowled a 129, and as Leno was mocking it, Obama joined in and compared it to the Special Olympics. "It's like -- it was like Special Olympics, or something."
Sure enough, we understand how the media works in North America. As does the White House. Spokesman Bill Burton released a statement aboard Air Force One after the show aired:
"The president made an offhand remark making fun of his own bowling that was in no way intended to disparage the Special Olympics. He thinks that the Special Olympics are a wonderful program that gives an opportunity to shine to people with disabilities from around the world."
Leadership Moments Count
The real message, though? Those little leadership moments DO matter.
Symbols count.
Words count.
What someone finds funny counts, too.
Leadership moments count...the words, the symbols, the jokes.
Leadership moments count...the words, the symbols, the jokes.
If you want the leadership spotlight, you get both: the power and the pressure.
The president is in a high-attention job. It's a cage, even. It's gilded, certainly, but it's a cage, nonetheless.
And among the things that go with the job he has, or any leadership job, for that matter, are an expectation that he won't perpetuate stereotypes, whatever they are, and an expectation that he will lead by positive example. In planned statements and actions, and the "mindless" moments, too.
The mentally and physically challenged have feelings, the same as anyone else does. They're trying to maintain their dignity in a world that quickly reaches for the "R" word ("retard") to put people down.
Leadership means knowing the power and value of the spontaneous actions, reactions and words one uses.
It may take education, exposure to the real lives of the people someone makes fun of in an oh so simple "joke."
In this particular case, maybe President Obama should spend a day as a Special Olympics coach. Or work for a day with the handicapped in a sheltered workshop. Or volunteer for a day in one of the homes for the profoundly retarded that any state has to care for those who, by accident of birth, or illness, or by accident, itself, would never have asked for the circumstances they have, will never live lives completely on their own.
We all have moments we regret, a simple comment we didn't really mean. And yet...
If we are in leadership positions, we must remember, those simple moments count. And they are so very powerful.
Remember that your leadership is showing 24/7, through your emails - with brusque subject lines ("I'm Furious!!!!") - or your judgmental conversations with your CAP team in a public space. Someone may be listening, or reading, or assuming.
Leadership is 24/7...It's Power and it's Pressure. And neither ever stops.
Leadership is 24/7...It's Power and it's Pressure. And neither ever stops.
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