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Notes on Presentation by David Gergen

These notes were taken on a presentation given by David Gergen at the Law Firm Leaders Forum in San Francisco, CA, on March 8, 2007.

David Gergen's Web Site
http://www.davidgergen.com

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David Gergen ImageIntroduction

          1. There is a leadership deficit in the US and there are not enough leaders.  We need to train and develop more leaders.

          2. The legal profession is one of the right “places” to do such training.  We need to incubate leadership and the legal field is one of the places to do it.

          3. Good leadership skills makes one a better lawyer. 

          4. Law schools are a good place to start lawyers on their leadership journey.  It takes 2 years to learn the fundamentals of the law.  Perhaps we can make better use of the 3rd year. 

Individual Leadership Matters

  1. In the 20th Century there were 6 very influential leaders.   John Keegan points to 6 men who had great affect in the world.  They are

    1. Vladimir Lenin

    2. Joseph Stalin

    3. Adolph Hitler

    4. Mao Zedong

    5. Winston Churchill

    6. Franklin D. Roosevelt

  2. The first four were tyrannical leaders and if it was not for the last two the world would be much worse off.  The leadership of those men shows the importance of individual leadership.

  3. Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr. also argued that individuals matter.  Some leaders are born, some emerge in certain circumstances and context is important.  For example, in the late 30”s Churchill was “washed up”.  He was not politically important.  But, in May 1940 his leadership was crucial.  He saved England and the world from defeat ( see Five Days in London; May 1940 by John Lukacs)   


Characteristic of Great Leaders

  1. Ambitious:  The great leaders of the world have ambition.  At first, it may be personal ambition. But as leaders grow they develop ambition for others: for their followers, for their country, their troops (George Washington).  They have an inherent desire to make their “place” a better place.

  2. Judgment: A true north.  They show wisdom in their decisions. This comes from a desire to learn, read and reflect.  They have a desire to know how the world works.  Richard Nixon  had a great curiosity, an ability to look into the future and “bend” it (he also had a dark side).   He foresaw the importance on China and making sure not to let a China and Russian interests become united against the US.  Leaders are often well traveled and experienced.  They can look back and also look forward knowing the past.  Harry S. Truman (who did not have a college degree) said to a high school group not every reader is a leader but every leader is a reader. 

    Bill Clinton had a great ability to synthesize.  He could do a NY times crossword puzzle and have a conversation.  He was a 360 degree leader.  He wanted to know what everyone thought. Everyone’s positions.  But, he may not have had a “true north”.  He slipped and he paid too big a price. 

  3. Character and Integrity.  Values give one structure.  Leaders have roots in family, faith and friends.  These are essential.  Watch out for people who do not have history with these.
  4. Adaptability: This may be the fourth characteristic in this 21st century. That is because history is speeding up. Things are changing fast and one needs to stay on the cutting edge.

Compulsory National Service

  1. It might be a good idea to have a required one year of compulsory service to the country.  When there was a compulsory draft, people of all demographics were put together to work in uniform.  Many presidents served.  It gave people of sense of “being in it together”. 

  2. One of the problems with the boomers is that they may not have had this experience.  There is not a sense of common sacrifice.  This may be a reason behind the leadership void.

  3. An idea: one year compulsory service where young people learn to be followers. The second year can be voluntary and one would get a leadership position.