U.S. Leadership: 10 Leadership Attributes for the Next President

Abstract

By the time George H.W. Bush was elected the nation’s 41st president, he had racked up an impressive résumé of career accomplishments. A former World War ll navy pilot who flew 58 combat missions before being shot down in the Pacific, Bush later worked in the oil business, served in the House of Representatives, was appointed Ambassador to the United Nations, functioned as chief liaison to China, was appointed CIA director, and served as Ronald Reagan’s vice president. Today’s current crop of presidential candidates by contrast seems to lack this broad range of experiences. The United States faces an increasingly complex set of different national security and economic challenges from emboldened countries like Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran. Domestically, there is no shortage of contentious and divisive issues like immigration; a soaring national debt; climate change; racial harmony; women’s reproductive health; and global trade. It will take a lot more than a law degree, experience as a prosecutor, and a few years in politics to gain the required savvy, wisdom, creativity, and experience to successfully handle the pressing issues of the day.