A few years ago, the Asian American Journalists Association asked several of us in print and broadcast to talk about what makes good leaders. With one caveat: Do it in one minute.
A tough assignment, indeed. So, forgive me, I cheated. I gave a list of ingredients and said that everyone would have to put together their own recipes.
My list:
Integrity. Vision. Heart and soul and passion. The spirit to provide inspiration. Honesty. Consistency. Judgment. Not being afraid to dream, for yourself and for others. Devotion to our craft. Decency toward people. An understanding of cultures too long uncovered. Making diversity work at all levels and for all people. Valuing success and failure.
Being accountable for the use of power. Remembering that talent is wonderful, but the payoff comes from character. Bearing with things we can’t change and not burning up energy in anxiety. Understanding that resentment is one of the most toxic drugs. Easing pain and calming anger. Healing fear and providing hope. Maintaining an attitude of service to all. And having an affection for the place where you live.
Things I should have included: Courage, not physical, but in a moral and intellectual sense. Courage that will allow you to know that although there will be failures along the way you will not allow them to paralyze you. Courage that will allow you to know you do not always have to be out front, that what the team does is what counts.
And, finally, a sense of humor.
In these tough times we need leaders who share a combination of these ingredients, as well as many others you could and would add to the list.
If ever we needed a change in some of the corporate cultures, we need it now. We need cultures with a soul and a sense of caring. Cultures that show a human touch, internally and externally. Cultures that encourage those who are different and those who want to make a difference.
Cultures that won’t be ripped apart when bad times come around.
The future will not belong to those leaders who are indifferent to the needs of others, who are fearful of new ideas, who cannot and will not offer hope to others, who are unwilling to accept change.
The future will belong to those leaders who have the courage of mind and the strength of heart to accept the challenges we are facing without panic, but with patience and perseverance.
Leaders who will not lose their way as they guide us through these dark clouds of disillusionment that is so pervasive in our newsrooms today.
Leaders who understand the ingredients and values of true leadership.
Is that too much to wish for? I hope not.
