The Presidential Dilemma: Leadership with a Price

Undoubtedly we are all familiar with the oft-quoted terms "it's lonely at the top," and "leadership is not a popularity contest." In the corporate world, there is the old axiom that "the higher you go in a company, the closer you move to the exit door." In the world of sports, there is a prevalent if not persistent belief that "coaches or managers are hired to be fired." Given the apparent isolation and the burdensome pressures associated with what amounts to a thankless job that one is "ultimately destined" to lose, it is hard to imagine that anyone in his or her right mind would be willing step forward into the line of fire that is leadership. While there is a seemingly inexhaustible amount of reference material that is available on the subject of leadership, we will be focusing our attention on a presentation I received a number of years ago by Colin Powell appropriately titled "Colin Powell's 13 Rules of Leadership." Joining me to shed some needed and insightful perspective on this interesting topic is acclaimed author, lecturer and executive coach Dr. John Ullmen, Ph.D. Dr. Ullmen's books including "Don't Kill the Bosses: Escaping the Hierarchy Trap" and popular lectures on leadership for the UCLA Anderson School of Management has made him a much sought after expert on defining, directing and empowering leaders in what has become an increasingly globalized, complex world.