Sunday, September 2, 2007
Resisting Reflection Comes at a Cost
Condoleeza Rice is often defined by star status -- for her rock star quality, for being a rising star, for her star waning, for her star shining again. Rice's six years in Washington, have been marked by star power, for sure, but also by leadership troubles as well.
As national security adviser, Rice was criticized for not managing the conflict between secretary of state, Colin Powell, and Donald Rumsfeld, secretary of defense. As secretary of state herself, Rice has been better at personal contributions than in building a strong team. And, Rice seems to embrace execution more than leadership, having stated, "I frankly prefer being coordinated than coordinating."
Commentators on both sides of politics have noted Rice's "weak bench," her loss of trusted advisers like Philip Zelikow before having replacements, and her inability to recruit and develop top talent to her staff. A World Business review noted:
"A stronger bench team might help. Having a weak one certainly is dangerous as any leader knows...(I)f she was a board director on US PLC, the CEO or chairman might at this point appoint a coach to soften some of her hard edges."
Such a coach would support Rice in becoming more reflective, more able to observe her effects on others, more attuned to the needs of others, and more able to cultivate a sense of esprit d'corps as well as excellence on her team.
However, in a New York Times article by Helene Cooper, "As Her Star Wanes, Rice Tries to Reshape Her Legacy," the author states: "Ms. Rice is rarely, if ever, self-reflective."
The author goes on to recount grumbling from Condoleeza Rice about requests for personal reflection and then cites friends of Rice who say that Condi "rarely questions whether she is right or wrong."
Leaders who are not self-reflective miss out on recognizing patterns that could reshape their actions and thus their legacy. They miss out on understanding their own mistakes.
Condoleeza's strengths are legendary - brilliant mind, determination, poise under pressure, enviable energy and enthusiasm, and even charm in some international circles.
The challenge for her is to understand where she's overplaying her strengths and turning them into weaknesses as a leader, but that would take a bit of honest personal reflection and a commitment to practicing a little "softer."
I wouldn't bet on that one unless, of course, she decides to run for office someday.
As national security adviser, Rice was criticized for not managing the conflict between secretary of state, Colin Powell, and Donald Rumsfeld, secretary of defense. As secretary of state herself, Rice has been better at personal contributions than in building a strong team. And, Rice seems to embrace execution more than leadership, having stated, "I frankly prefer being coordinated than coordinating."
Commentators on both sides of politics have noted Rice's "weak bench," her loss of trusted advisers like Philip Zelikow before having replacements, and her inability to recruit and develop top talent to her staff. A World Business review noted:
"A stronger bench team might help. Having a weak one certainly is dangerous as any leader knows...(I)f she was a board director on US PLC, the CEO or chairman might at this point appoint a coach to soften some of her hard edges."
Such a coach would support Rice in becoming more reflective, more able to observe her effects on others, more attuned to the needs of others, and more able to cultivate a sense of esprit d'corps as well as excellence on her team.
However, in a New York Times article by Helene Cooper, "As Her Star Wanes, Rice Tries to Reshape Her Legacy," the author states: "Ms. Rice is rarely, if ever, self-reflective."
The author goes on to recount grumbling from Condoleeza Rice about requests for personal reflection and then cites friends of Rice who say that Condi "rarely questions whether she is right or wrong."
Leaders who are not self-reflective miss out on recognizing patterns that could reshape their actions and thus their legacy. They miss out on understanding their own mistakes.
Condoleeza's strengths are legendary - brilliant mind, determination, poise under pressure, enviable energy and enthusiasm, and even charm in some international circles.
The challenge for her is to understand where she's overplaying her strengths and turning them into weaknesses as a leader, but that would take a bit of honest personal reflection and a commitment to practicing a little "softer."
I wouldn't bet on that one unless, of course, she decides to run for office someday.
# posted by Cindy Marteney @ 7:15 AM 
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