7 Essential Leadership Qualities We Deserve From Our Politicians
July 6, 2022
I’ll cut straight to the chase.
I am disappointed in our political leaders.
I am concerned about the amount of misinformation spread in the media, and in our communities.
I am disheartened by the significant lack of education many Americans have on critical issues that impact the stability of our country.
And I am alarmed by lack of progress and accountability amongst our leaders.
This year, on the 4th of July, I had many questions swirling around in my head. A few were playing on repeat:
How did we get to a place in my country where I can’t trust our elected officials?
Why don’t our leaders do the right thing and hold each other accountable?
And why is the bar set so low?
I know there are many ways one could answer these questions. But today, I am going to offer up a different perspective to hopefully spark healthy dialogue.
I want to talk about the qualities we desperately need and deserve in our political leaders, and how this connects to the big picture with effective leadership.
In my coaching and consulting work, a large percentage of my time is spent helping develop leaders, managers, and teams.
As a lifelong learner and big advocate of best practices, I always try to integrate outside resources into client engagements. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned across all my research and work, it’s that great leaders are great leaders, regardless of their industries.
While certain competencies may be required based on the type of organization someone works for, the qualities of outstanding leaders are consistent across the board. This includes politicians.
After a lot of reflection, I’ve narrowed down a list of qualities that I believe that all our politicians should all have - especially our Presidents, Congresspeople, and our Supreme Court Justices.
It should be noted that this article is not meant to endorse or advocate for any political party - nor is it meant to serve as a complete list. My words are rooted in a fierce commitment to justice, my hope for the continuous improvement of my country, and in alignment with The Thirlby Company core values.
So without further ado, here are seven essential leadership qualities that our elected officials should have, and ones that the American people deserve.
7 Essential Leadership Qualities Americans Deserve From Our Politicians
1 - Integrity
This one is short and sweet, and sits at the top of the list. Our political leaders should be ethical and good people - period. They should not lie or spread misinformation to manipulate voters. They should not put their own financial gains or personal beliefs ahead of the wellbeing of Americans or the stability of our country. They should not be narcissists. Above all else, they should be people of great character, and role models for our children.
2 - A capacity for effective collaboration
Whenever someone knocks on my front door to campaign for a candidate, I always ask them one consistent question: “How would you describe [this candidate’s] ability to collaborate with those who do not share [their] beliefs?”
Unfortunately, I usually get blank stares or shoulder shrugs in response. This is because most leaders do not amplify collaboration or inclusive decision making as part of their platforms. They are hellbent on pushing their own priorities through, regardless of what their constituents need.
While I believe it’s important for leaders to be transparent about their beliefs and what they stand for, great leaders must stay curious and be willing to consider perspectives outside of their own. They should have an ability to look at the evidence, roll up their sleeves, and pass bipartisan legislation. People who are unwilling to do so are not for America - they are for their own party and personal gains.
3 - Self-awareness and a growth mindset
Great leaders demonstrate a capacity to evolve as leaders throughout their careers. Do you think that Oprah had the same level of talent during her first show as her last? Heck no. She spent decades mastering her art - becoming an excellent listener, asking the right questions, and navigating complex issues with grace and dignity.
In the article, “What Makes a Leader?”, author Daniel Goleman writes: “People with high self-awareness are able to speak accurately and openly - although not necessarily effusively or confessionally - about their emotions and the impact they have on their work” (Harvard Business Review).
Excellent leaders maintain a desire to do better and stay open to feedback and continuous improvement. Imagine a world where our political leaders took real ownership for their mistakes, impact on others, and their own leadership development.
4 - Courageous accountability
Most of our political leaders today remind me of bullies and bystanders on school playgrounds. Someone is being mistreated, and instead of telling the bully they are doing the wrong thing or helping the victim, the rest of the kids keep quiet so they won’t compromise their social standing or influence. Over time, the bullies and the bystanders continue to gain power and are never held accountable for their actions.
Right now, our political leaders are behaving worse than children on the playground.
A good leader knows how to balance wisdom and compassion, and hold others accountable for their actions. They own up to their own mistakes when it’s necessary. They set their egos aside and strive to do the right thing at all times - including when someone in their own corner does the wrong thing.
A more recent example of courageous accountability was demonstrated by Liz Cheney during the recent January 6 hearings. Instead of ignoring the atrocities that had happened to a country she loves, she spoke out to her colleagues with fierce conviction and radical honesty.
Author Frank Bruni beautifully captures the significance of Cheney’s actions: “That’s what makes Cheney so important. Whatever you think of her father, her past, or the rest of her ideology, she has, for the past year and a half, been an unstinting, unflagging and - frankly - inspiring model of principle above partisanship, of truth over tribalism. While nearly all the other Republicans in Congress keep changing their tunes to harmonize with Trump, she refuses to sing along” (The New York Times).
Another example of courageous accountability was after sexual harassment allegations had surfaced in December 2020 about former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Elected officials from both parties (including nearly every Democrat in New York’s congressional delegation) advocated that Mr. Cuomo should resign from his role.
In a statement, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand shared: "As we have said before, the reported actions of the Governor were profoundly disturbing, inappropriate and completely unacceptable” (The New York Times).
When leaders and their actions are inappropriate and unacceptable, great leaders must say so - whether it’s taking personal responsibility or holding their teammates accountable. But leadership examples like Liz Cheney, Chuck Schumer, and Kristen Gellibrand should not be the ideal - they should be the norm.
We need more leaders who do the right thing and refuse to sing along. When they don’t, we send a message to young people (and the general public) that politicians get rewarded when they do bad things. In many ways, that has become the new norm in America, and it’s dangerously concerning.
5 - Cultural competency and a deep understanding of voter needs
Cultural competency has been an essential component in the field of psychology for decades, and has been identified in many industries as an invaluable tool for addressing and eliminating various issues.
The American Psychological Association defines cultural competence as “ the ability to understand, appreciate and interact with people from cultures or belief systems different from one's own” (APA.org).
In order to be successful and bring people together, leaders must lead with empathy and gain a deep understanding of the specific issues and needs across their communities.
It’s also important to note that when we speak about “voter needs,” we are not stereotyping who that applies to, or excluding groups of people (or their voices) from the conversation.
Whether you are a fourth generation farmer in a small town, the first person in your family to become an American citizen, or a corporate executive in a big city, your voice matters. Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Libertarian, your voice matters. Whether you are Jewish, Christian, Muslim, or non-religious, your voice matters. Whether English is your first, second, or third language, your voice matters. The list goes on and on.
We must elect people who will listen to all people - not just those who mirror back their own beliefs or DNA. So much of the current tension in our country is a result of people feeling excluded and forgotten by both sides of the aisle - for years. We can’t continue this trend.
6 - A willingness to tell the truth and propose solutions
James Baldwin once wrote: “I love America more than any other country in the world and, exactly for this reason, I insist on the right to criticize her perpetually” (Source).
Right now America has serious issues getting in the way of our collective strength and success. We have children dying in elementary schools, essential workers who cannot afford housing, and women who are worried about losing access to healthcare in life threatening situations.
We will never get better as a country until we get really honest about the problems we need to resolve. But one thing that is almost scarier than the issues themselves is the fact that we actually have people in power who deny the reality of these issues to begin with.
This makes me wonder about the root cause of this dynamic. Do politicians fear that if they acknowledge the challenges in our our country, that they will lose their power, and America will become weak?
I believe that truth-telling has the exact opposite effect. This is because truth-telling is an act of trust building and courage. When leaders get in a room together and are radically transparent about their challenges and issues, others are more likely to support them in finding solutions. It becomes less about finger pointing, and more about the team’s success.
Denying or ignoring real issues in America doesn’t make a leader strong - it makes them foolish. It keeps our country stagnant, and sets up future generations for significant hardships that they should never have to endure.
We need leaders who are honest about our challenges, and courageous enough to speak the truth and change their minds. That’s what real leaders do. Identifying and embracing our challenges together is the first step toward making America stronger. And that’s something I think most people can get behind.
7 - An ability to demonstrate inclusive leadership
Last, but not least, (and perhaps the most important) is inclusive leadership. In March of 2019, the Harvard Business Review released an article that shared about six signature traits of inclusive leaders:
Visible Commitment
Humility
Awareness of bias
Curiosity about others
Cultural Intelligence
Effective collaboration
The more I continue to observe our political leaders, the more it’s becoming alarmingly clear that we do not have inclusive leaders across the board. Reading through the list of traits above is almost a summary of this article in itself.
If you are not an inclusive leader, it’s difficult to preserve democracy and embody a commitment to liberty and justice for all.
Becoming an inclusive leader is a continuous, intentional effort. It doesn’t happen overnight. And it takes real commitment and a lot of unlearning. But if more of our elected officials embraced these qualities, the ripples could be endless.
. . .
When I am in my worst headspace with respect to the state of my country, I return to one leading thought:
I believe there are more good people than bad in my country. And the good people care about making my country better.
So, rooted in that core belief, how can we move forward?
I believe the first step starts with having healthy conversations with people you care about. These may be people who have different beliefs than you. Sometimes, you might be surprised by what you learn - or dare I say - pleased with the outcome. Remember to stay curious and ask open-ended questions whenever possible.
To navigate these conversations, I recommend applying the work of organizational psychologist, Adam Grant (check out his book, Think Again). Earlier this year, Grant shared: “The highest form of debate isn't about one person declaring victory. It's about both people making a discovery. The goal isn't to defend your reasons and attack theirs. It's to sharpen your reasoning” (Twitter).
The second step I recommend is evaluating your media use, and only consuming accurate journalism and reporting - not just the TV stations or Instagram accounts that keep you in your comfort zone. We each must consistently challenge ourselves to think differently and do better. I love this 2017 list by Forbes that highlights 10 journalism brands with “real facts.”
The third step to explore is encouraging for your friends (of all ages) to get more civically engaged. Whether that friend runs for mayor, volunteers on a campaign, or hosts educational events at their home, they might end up making a big impact and inspiring others to do the same.
And last, but not least, please don’t forget to vote, stay informed, and be kind to others. Let’s do better for each other, and for America.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
