George Will once noted that if Mitch Daniels, the accomplished and mild-mannered man who was then the Governor of Indiana, decided to run for president, he would have the charisma of competence.
I often think about that expression. So many political candidates opt for the charisma and seem to assume that the competence part can be farmed out. Television interview programs reward the short answer; the quip which can draw attention, and are slanted against a person who cannot fit that mode.
This is not a small problem. If an organization or a nation does not favor a certain type of personality, regardless of merit, then the talent pool has been unwisely reduced.
How many of the great figures in world history could get past your Human Resources Department?
2 comments:
Looking back over history, not many. Looking into the near future, the same. How is it that people we would absolutely not hire for a job end up becoming icons? Perhaps that's the point...they become icons, but not necessarily leaders, and yet we follow them. I'm regularly amazed by what my country holds up as its "best".
Crusty,
I know what you mean about the "best."
Aargh.
Michael
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