JFK: Leadership Excellence

In the December issue of Leadership Excellence, author John Barnes compellingly describes ten qualities of leadership that he sees in our 35th president, John F. Kennedy. I think that many of these lessons have applications for all of us...especially those of us in the financial services industry.

1. Craft a compelling vision.
2. Face adversity with a smile.
3. Don't follow the crowd.
4. Educate yourself.
5. Learn to communicate.
6. Don't let crises manage you.
7. Build a team and find your "Bobby."
8. Add a touch of showmanship.
9. Learn from mistakes.
10. Do what's right.

For example, it is interesting to note that at the start of his career, Kennedy was a poor public speaker. He spoke too fast, never paused for an audience reaction, and spoke with a pronounced regional accent from his larynx (not his diaphragm). However, he worked hard to improve himself...hiring voice coaches and  speechwriters. He was one of the first politicians to receive media training. He cultivated and networked with reporters to write favorable stories about him and his family. His live press conferences became a White House tradition...and are still a wonder to listen to.

Facing adversity with a smile is another one. Although it has been well documented, it is interesting to remember that Kennedy was cursed with a sickly body. He was born with an unstable back, nearly died from scarlet fever as an infant, developed Addison's Disease, and suffered from allergies, bad eyesight, slight deafness in one ear. One can imagine that the lessons that he learned in overcoming his maladies were good preparation for the frustrations of political life.

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