Leading with Conviction

                                                                                  Timothy Stagich, Ph.D.

     Vision is important for leadership. However, it is not enough to lead with vision without the clear conviction so necessary to make the vision as a leader a reality. Even a vision supported by a strong speaking style and words that motivate people to help is not enough without a real conviction that provides followers with a sufficient trust that your words do have meaning and you will not let people down when tough problem solving is required or the good fight needs to be made before agreements are reached. Conviction breeds trust and belief that your words and vision have real meaning backed by action.

       Recently, President Obama gave a stirring “State of the Union” speech that laid out a vision and challenge for American Society in the coming months and years. His success and the future of our nation will depend to a great extent on how much conviction he has supported by actions to make his vision a reality and to give belief and reason to hope for Main Street Americans still struggling to find jobs or to get back on track after losing their homes or health care benefits. Voters and citizens need to have eloquent words and soaring vision backed up by conviction that is demonstrated through strategies that work to solve the problems of the nation.

       Over the past two years progress has been made. There has been a Health Care Bill passed in Congress that has some important benefits such as providing protection against the cancellation of policies because of pre-existing conditions. However, Obama has alienated many Senior Citizens in the process by taking over five hundred million dollars out of Medicare to help pay for this Bill. And, many citizens and progressives believe that it was possible to include a very important Public Option in the Health Care Bill that would have helped to control costs for Americans.  Also, the Democratic Congress in two years were able to pass some new regulations for Wall Street, but have left the derivative market that was the cause of the economic catastrophe with very little change and the possibility that the same event could happen again. Also, even with a Democratic Congress nothing has yet been done to make sure that there are no banks “too big to fail” and to begin the process of breaking up those banks that have become huge monopolies undermining free enterprise.

       So, it is understandable that people are questioning the conviction behind the great words of our President. And, it is not enough to just say that the Democratic Process is “messy” and we do not always get what we want. In this case, we had a Democratic Congress that came up short and in a desperate attempt to make up for lost time passed some important legislation in the lame duck Congress of December 2010 that has given us a little more hope for leadership with conviction. Now, as we begin 2011 and our President has presented us with a new vision and an eloquent speech, we are hoping he has the conviction and ability to take action on solving the problems of the country with more than half way measures and compromises that may not work for the majority of Americans. Real conviction means real solutions and not halfway measures, especially when a democratic majority controls Congress.

       Now, because Americans were dissatisfied with these halfway measures, we have a Republican controlled House of Representatives and it will be a messier process to get any legislation passed by the House and the Senate. And, even more conviction will be necessary to bring both parties together to collaboratively work through the problems of the nation in a civil and constructive way. How much is accomplished will be dependent on how much conviction President Obama and our leadership in Congress have in solving the real problems of our country and not settling for halfway measures or compromises without a real fight and determination to do what is right and necessary for the majority of Americans. This means no tax cuts for the rich, eliminating monopolies and “too big to fail,” providing health care with a way of controlling costs for Main Street Americans, and a real strategy for creating jobs and stimulating innovation and the production of real products and services.

       Mr. President, you have tapped into the spirit of America with your speech. However, the level of our motivation will depend on how much conviction you have and are willing to demonstrate over the next two years through problem solving and workable strategies. We have hope, but halfway measures may not be enough when the rich continue to get richer at the expense of the poor and what is left of middle class America.

 Copyright 2011, Global Leadership Resources

                                                                                     Discussion Questions

  1. Why is it necessary to “Lead with Conviction”? What emanates from conviction and how does it motivate people?
  2. How are vision and rhetoric supported by conviction?
  3. Discuss how conviction is supported by problem solving and workable strategies.
  4. Discuss the relationship of conviction with problem solving and compromise.
  5. Why is conviction so important at this time for President Obama?
  6. Discuss ways President Obama can demonstrate his conviction to the American People. Are halfway measures enough to show conviction and leadership?
  7. How can conviction lead others to work through problems collaboratively?

 

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