Capitulate: to surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms; to give up resistance. When it comes to surrender, just the thought of it is chilling to a political leader on the campaign trail. Campaigns are the closest thing to war most operatives and candidates will ever experience and for the majority, they approach it with theRead… Read more »
If someone wants an issue to be front and center in American politics—do something to make Moms mad. The Obama Administration’s latest front in the battle against obesity, is the regulation of snacks and food that are not the requisite breakfast and lunch. First up on the firing line is the beloved bake sale. InRead… Read more »
Would you recognize your authentic self if you saw him or her? How would you know it is the real you? What is an “authentic self” and why in the world does it matter to your ability to lead? One of the greatest weaknesses, and almost without question at the root of all inglorious downfallsRead… Read more »
It is no secret the women’s vote is often the determining factor in many elections, including major national races. It is therefore no surprise, as we enter the throws of the 2012 presidential election, that once again the battle is on to woo women, replete with the usual trash-talking and barbed attacks that characterize ourRead… Read more »
As a lifelong student of leadership, I enjoy looking at the events that capture national attention and examining what they say about who we are as a society and how we are leading in our lives. It seems nothing is as riveting as the Affordable Care Act’s three-days at the Supreme Court. The debate overRead… Read more »
Fresh off of his Super Tuesday “victories,” Mitt Romney was so desperately pleading his case that he was the inevitable winner of the Republican Presidential Primary, yet the results in Mississippi and Alabama reveal that the electorate is not ready to bestow that title upon him. While his wealth and political machinery may provide himRead… Read more »
Einstein’s ubiquitous quote about the definition of insanity as “doing the same thing over and over while expecting a different result,” is so widely used because we see this behavior all the time, particularly in election season. Armed with enthusiasm and often more money than sense, candidates dutifully make the rounds telling crowds what everyoneRead… Read more »
While Mitt Romney continues his limp toward the Republican nomination, his Etch A Sketch moment has revealed and even deeper and more fundamental flaw in his campaign strategy. While there is a part of me that is pained to see a favorite childhood toy become a political metaphor, it shows that his campaign ultimately seesRead… Read more »
Marking the 20-year anniversary of the Year of the Woman, Karen Tumulty’s front-page Washington Post article details the never-ending challenges of gender parity in American politics. While an informative piece about the United States’ 78th world ranking in woman’s representation in national legislatures, tied with Turkmenistan for those keeping track, it reflects a flawed conventionalRead… Read more »
This blog is an excerpt from Kathleen Schafer’s upcoming book Living the Leadership Choice. Join the Leadership Connection community to receive updates and exclusive content. “It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn’t matter who gets the credit.” – Unknown Making progress toward achieving a goal is an essential component of effectiveRead… Read more »