CHARISMA VERSUS PROVEN EXECUTIVE ABILITY: What It Takes to Govern Successfully

What does it take to successfully run the government?  According to Mayor Michael Bloomberg, it takes proven executive ability.  Specifically, that is the ability to: plan, organize, staff, direct, implement, motivate (inspire), control,innovate, represent, 
develop, lead, decide, communicate, delegate, and conclude.

Of course, relatively few people excel in each of these areas – but a professional executive understands their importance and knows how to compensate by bringing in staff members to compensate for any delinquent capabilities.

One of the problems in a democracy is that political leaders are often elected based on personality, charisma, political skill, promises, etc. – while being woefully lacking in the keys to professional executive ability.  Obama is a prime example of a politician seriously lacking in many of the necessary executive abilities.  He doesn’t even appears to know what he doesn’t know – a most serious handicap.  As a result he has “led from behind” and has become more and more of an autocrat with each passing year.

Hillary is another example. She has a big last name after tailgating for years on the coattails of her husband – and later on the coattails of President Obama.  She has virtually no accomplishments and a long list of failures, disappointments, and deceptions.

Clearly, the USA is in a downward slide as gradualism takes effect.  If the American electorate continue to vote based on personal popularity rather than proven executive ability, our nation’s best days are behind us.

Image: http://cinemaliteracy.wikispaces.com/CITIZEN+KANE