In the post preceding this one I introduced the concept of leadership culture. I wrote that it consisted of widely held values, attitudes, opinions and norms as they pertained to leadership in a particular group or organization. I further applied the concept of a “leadership culture” to the performances of two leaders, both Americans, Donald Trump and Jamie Dimon. The former in disharmony with his leadership culture; the latter in harmony with it.
In this post I list the ten key components of America’s leadership culture. They apply across the board – to leaders in government and business; religion and education; the military and the media. To American leaders wherever they are located.
- All American leaders are expected to rely far more on authority and influence than on power.
- All American leaders are expected to be checked by constitutional, institutional, or organizational constraints.
- All American leaders are expected to abide by the American creed which includes, among its virtues, adherence to the rule of law.
- All American leaders are expected to, at some point, agreeably and gracefully surrender their posts.
- All American leaders are expected to behave in ways that conform to the norms of their groups or organizations.
- All American leaders are expected to communicate both within their groups or organizations, and without.
- All American leaders are expected to protect and defend their followers no matter any risk to themselves.
- All American leaders are expected to respect their followers independent of their station or status.
- All American leaders are expected to leave their groups or organizations better off after they served than before.
I am not of course claiming that all American leaders conform to these norms. I am claiming that they constitute a template for what leadership in America is supposed to look like.