Leadership and the US Presidency

Leadership is an interesting entity. I refer to it as an entity because it seems to have a life of its own. So varied in its existence and so powerful and influencing, yet so vulnerable. And leadership doesn’t get any bigger than the presidency of the United States of America.

“…on any given day he might have to make life-and-death decisions, propose policies that will change the course of the country, and then greet a group of elementary schoolchildren.”  -  Smithsonian Institution

So who would take on such a role? Ordinary people who start out wanting to make a change, a change for the better. Regardless of anything else, to go through the American political system and rise to the role of president requires a commitment, passion and resilience which are already, admirable qualities of leadership.

The Whitehouse: home to every American President other than George Washington

And what do the American people want from their president and what qualities do they both admire and expect? They expect their presidents to do more than just govern. They expect them to lead; to provide comfort and inspiration in times of crisis and as Abraham Lincoln put it, to appeal to “the better angels of our nature.”

 The hat worn by Abraham Lincoln when he was assassinated. To see such objects in person, you get a somewhat comforting sense that these names you've heard of of all your life, were actually real humans.

Uniform worn by George Washington

In a patron survey at the Smithsonian Institution Museum of American History, never is this more evident. Only 2 simple questions are put to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who pass through. The results speak for themselves and give hope to the role of president and a sense of quiet reassurance to those visiting.

For Question 1, the people have reinforced the need for strong leadership of the nation above all. Interesting to note how low the Party Leader ranks in importance.

For Question 2, it’s no surprise that the 2 highest ranking presidents are the ones who are credited most to, and have become national symbols of, freedom and democracy. This is very much a part of the lexicon of an American upbringing.

So what can we learn from this about how we prepare our students, our young leaders, the leaders of our future? That leadership is about more than having power. Leadership is about showing guidance and support; sometimes through decision making but largely through example.