I’ve been a dedicated student of Jim Collins since I heard him speak about Good to Great at The RealTime conference in Phoenix 2002. His book Good to Great is my all-time number one read and recommendation.
I was moved by an interview with Obama and McCain in the July 7, 2008 issue of Fortune “How I’ll Fix The Economy”. I have heard people draw parallels between Obama and Abraham Lincoln — and Collins refers to Lincoln as one of the few Level 5 Presidents in US history. While I believe that even an 8 year Presidential term will not be sufficient to ‘fix’ the problems our country and government are facing, I believe that a Level 5 President will set the stage for lasting change. In the excerpt below you will notice a Level 4 approach in McCain (Eisenhower was a fantastic Level 4 leader), and distictly Level 5 qualities in Obama’s response.
Q: How would your management style differ from that of the current occupant of the Oval Office?
McCAIN: I have a very credentialed group of economic advisors that have the experience and knowledge to give me the right kind of advice and counsel. And I do not pretend that the buck doesn’t stop a the President’s desk. But I’d like to specifically recall one administration that doesn’t automatically spring to mind– Eisenhower, who really installed the entire decision-making process as far as national security is concerned, [based on] the years of expeirence that Eisenhower had commanding the largest invasion force in the history of warfare.
OBAMA: I insist on the suppression of ego. What I look for is to bring the smartest, most capable people together in an environment in which everybody shares a comon vision, but there’s no ideological predisposition in terms of how to achieve that vision. And so I think the biggest difference in my management style is that I want a robust discussion with a lot of different viewpoints and a firm footing in the facts. I think a President has to make sure that people aren’t heisitant to bring bad news. I always want bad news first. Good news takes care of itself.
July 7, 2008 at 8:48 am
wow. what a difference to have someone willing to speak at the level of “group,” to “group,” after so much time listening to to & now just watching an individual glossing over masses of individuals. imagine a president committed to actual dialogue & dancing! did you ever notice how funny the word “group” is? It’s so fun when you add parentheses! great site – can’t wait to check in.