A New Book About Leadership

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Lee Iacocca is an 83 year old American leader who has just released yet another best-selling book. He is a self-made man who is probably best known for saving Chrysler Corporation from financial ruin but has also created an extremely impressive list of accomplishments that include the renovation of Ellis Island, overseeing creation of the minivan, organizing Join Lee Now (a group whose goal is to find a cure for diabetes). He is also a philanthropist who is committed to feeding the hungry.

Mr. Iacocca identified nine specific traits that are important for leadership in his new book "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" They include:

1. Curiosity
2. Creativity
3. Communication
4. Character
5. Courage
6. Conviction
7. Charisma
8. Competence
9. Common Sense

Not every leader has all of the nine traits. In fact, some people are stronger in specific areas than in others and this allows them to be more suitable for some things than others. It is probably more important, for example, for a leader who is facing war to have courage than charisma whereas a politician usually benefits from charisma/

Mr. Iacocca also states that the crucial situation for leaders is CRISIS. It is easy to talk about things we would do if there is a problem and yet another thing to do them when the crisis occurs. We will likely all remember the powerful role that Mayor Rudy Giuliani played during and after the September 11th terrorist attack on New York a few years ago. His leadership skills not only helped to calm people but also brought organization to chaos.

Many individuals claim that they are "followers" and not "leaders" but I believe that every one of us is a leader in some capacity. Each of us has some of the traits that Mr. Iacocca has identified and we use them in various ways in our lives. Leadership is about influencing others and we all do that. It might be in our work, families or communities. We do not need to be the head of a large organization or movement to be classed as a leader. In fact, the smallest of activities can be viewed as a form of leadership. Think of the quiet teenager whose unusual choice of clothing starts a trend or the neighbour who mows the lawn in a pattern that later becomes popular throughout the block.

Whether we know it or not, we are all leaders in some manner. Even if we do not deliberate step out in a leadership role, we are being watched, admired and copied by others.

Which of the nine traits that Iacocca identified do you have as strengths? Which ones do you want to develop? Which would you use during a crisis?

It's just something to think about.

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Women, Power and Leadership

Peggy Orenstein noted in her book "School Girls" that, although they may now have more role models for high achievement, and apparently fewer barriers to equality, girls are still part of a very hierarchical society.

Power is often seen as "who is higher up" - and for women, that has typically been males. Orenstein wrote, "It was clear that, regardless of race and class, [girls] had still learned to see boys as ultimately more powerful. Girls' diminished sense of self means that, often unconsciously, they take on a second-class, accommodating status."

Leadership is often seen - and sought - in a context of social control, and, perhaps because of that, many adult women may relate to power and leadership in compromised and conflicted ways, regardless of their true competence to lead.

Talent may be highly rewarded in some fields, such as entertainment, but it does not necessarily confer or assure personal control.

Artists and other gifted women may be susceptible to various constrictions and restrictions in realizing their talents.

As one example, singer Tori Amos at age five won a scholarship to the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, but by age eleven she'd been kicked out for playing by ear.

Being creatively talented, especially when complemented by intellect, may often lead to wanting to be in charge.

Actor Christina Ricci acknowledged in an interview as a teen that she'd like more control: "I would love to come in and run a set, and deal with people and fix problems, because I think I'm pretty good at that. But I just sort of accept that the director is going to tell me to do things, and no matter if I like it or not, I have to do it."

Film director Allison Anders likes being in charge: "They say I'm the heartbeat of my film company, which I think is pretty cool. I feel women actually are far more suited to directing than men, because we're more oriented to synthesis; especially if you've been a mother: you have to do ten things at a time, and that's the kind of mindset you have to be in as a director."

But she also said that most women filmmakers she knows "who are really achieving some success, and have their own vision, are very lonely women, for the most part, personally. Because for one thing, we've never quite figured out how to abuse our power." (From personal interview.)

Michelle Pfeiffer talked about control in her life: "You literally have to make lists for yourself, and say these are the things I cannot change, so get over it; now these are the things I can change - terrific. I can't change that I have to travel in a very complicated way. I don't like a lot of people in my life making decisions.

"I know the business, but I can't do it all myself. But there are things I can change - I don't have to go to some dinner I don't want to go to, I don't have to go to some stupid party. I don't have to do this interview, really, if I don't want to." (From a Barbara Walters interview.)

Actress Natasha Richardson recognizes that control may be counterproductive for a performer: "I'm too critical of myself. I'm working on that because if you're too critical, it means you control things too much and that's not interesting. I've been working in the past couple of years on just doing it, not trying to come down so hard on myself when it doesn't happen the way I want it to happen." (Movieline magazine interview.)

Geena Davis noted she tends to choose roles "based on women who make their own decisions... The women I play do not have to be role models and they don't always have to make the right decisions... but they at least have to be captain of their own ship."

But the exercise of power in real life may present somewhat different issues for women than for men.

In an America Online conference, the late producer Dawn Steel was asked if she found it was harder to get along with female employees: "I think that women will take abuse from men bosses, and resent the mildest criticism from a woman."

As women-only colleges may help nourish talent expression, a predominantly female workplace may be a very different context for power.

Script and creativity consultant Viki King considers women-oriented film sets to have a very different feel than traditional male ones, "because it's in partnership, not in domination, not in competition."

But many women (and men, of course) find themselves in competitive workplaces, and have feelings and attitudes that may make it difficult for them to lead. Hopefully, more and more women will become aware of what keeps them from using power in partnership, and from being effective and socially conscious leaders.

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