I had quite the interesting interview with Harvard Business School’s Rosabeth Moss Kanter earlier this month, talking about her latest book SuperCorp: How Vanguard Companies Create Innovation, Profits, Growth, and Social Good.
Kanter is a recognized leader on the subjects of innovation, strategy and leadership. So near the end of the session I popped a question about the most famous leader in the world, who is suffering from a drop in public opinion polls and experiencing strong headwinds even from his own party in getting programs passed. I asked, “Is President Obama the the type of 21st century leader you portray in the book, a ‘vanguard’ leader? What do you think of the job he is doing?”
Here is what she said.
“President Obama is subject to Kanter’s Law, which says everything can look like a failure in the middle. He has been in office less than a year, has tackled big problems -– big problems are always controversial — and yet he is strong and steady and focused on purpose. Therefore I bet that despite the controversy, he will get a health care bill passed and make progress on these issues.”
She continued with an observation that should give heart to every manager who experiences a depressing time or controversy at work, as we all do. In essence, she says, be true to yourself.
“President Obama keeps reminding Americans of our higher moral purpose and he doesn’t get dragged down into the mud from people attacking him on all sides. That kind of leadership is necessary to deal with volatility, controversy. If you don’t keep centered in a set of moral principles, a sense of purpose, then it is very difficult to see beyond today’s controversy. CEOs of vanguard companies know that this sense of purpose helps them even when the stock price is down or when they know they have to announce a bad quarter. They have a longer-term vision that keeps them focused and helps them weather storms. A leader who has a strong sense of purpose and is willing to seek collaboration is likely to solve problems.”
Management gurus all have different words for this sense of purpose she talks about. Some call it a moral compass. Others term it the “vision thing.” But whatever you call it remember to trust your guiding principles when you hit Kanter’s Law.
