Content area
Full text
Strong personal foundation, plus vision and strategy
Jimmy Carter's leadership offers a unique opportunity for analysis because his post-presidency work is admired perhaps more than his work as president of the United States (1977 to 1981). In my opinion, this contrast illustrates a local government manager's need to apply different leadership skills to different situations, and to rely on a solid foundation of honesty and integrity.
Carter's appeal to the nation in the aftermath of the Watergate scandal was that he was an honest, common man of high integrity and personal principles. Despite these personal characteristics, Jimmy Carter's presidency is known as lacking specificity in vision and purpose.
On the other hand, in his postpresidency, Carter provided consistent vision, goals, and skills to succeed in another setting.
More Than Foundational Qualities
In his inaugural address, Carter spoke of the United States being the first country to openly "define itself in terms of both spirituality and human liberty" and its "obligation to take on those moral duties."
Later, as a peacemaker and humanitarian and in his books, he demonstrated consistent convictions based on honesty and spirituality.
Effective presidents, however, like other leaders, need to possess qualities beyond those I refer to as foundational. During his presidency, Carter expressed broad ideals in his speeches, although seemed to lack a specific vision, agenda, and strategy for accomplishments.
Leadership literature advises local...