Every year,
Americans celebrate Presidents Day as a day of remembrance — a day to look back
and learn from our nation’s greatest leaders. In today’s competitive market,
business leaders are looking for the edge that will put their organization and
workforce ahead of the curve.
As we celebrate
President’s Day today, I want discuss President John F. Kennedy (JFK). As a
young boy space was inquisitive so I’ve always appreciated his vision to be the
first. JFK is known for his dedication to country, as he often recalled his
time in the armed forces as a motivating factor for leadership. His famous
phrase is a reminder to work hard and live for the betterment of others:
“Ask not what
your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Here’s a
snapshot from JFK of lessons for today’s leaders.
1. Ask Great Questions
Space
leadership had become a measure of world leadership. America was already behind
the Russians, who had launched a man into space April 12, 1961.
Kennedy
responded to the Soviet achievement by doing what the best leaders do. He posed
the key question: “Is there any…space program which promises dramatic results
in which we could win?”
Experts
scrambled and advised Kennedy that putting a man on the moon was seen as a race
where the U.S. “may be able to be first.”
Armed with this
assessment, Kennedy made the first of many “hard decisions” related to
America’s space program. On May 25, 1961, JFK challenged America with the goal
of “landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.” He wanted
it done “before this decade is out.” And
he wanted to beat the Russians.
2. Play to Win
Kennedy’s
competition was the Soviet Union. The American-Soviet Cold War battle was for
preeminence in space. The stakes were enormous.
Speaking in
Houston on September 12, 1962, JFK declared, “We choose to go to the moon.” In
that speech he provided the rationale for this audacious initiative and the
specifics for winning.
Competing, said
JFK, was not enough. “Everything we do,” said Kennedy, “ought to really be tied
into getting onto the moon ahead of the Russians.” Some leaders confuse making
money with their organization’s purpose and then wonder why their employees are
less than enthusiastic about meeting performance objectives. People want to
win. Leaders put their people in position to claim victory.
Are you
committed to winning?
3. Unify and Inspire
People
Great leaders
inspire people to rally around a cause that’s bigger than themselves. This is
the reason your organization’s mission (its purpose beyond making money) and
vision (where you’re going) are so important. They must translate beyond the
financial performance of the organization. They must inspire people to show up
every day and give their best. This is how top-performing organizations drive
accountability.
Does your company’s
mission give your team something to cheer for?
4. Challenge Your
Team
America started
from a position well behind the Russians with the odds stacked heavily against us.
In casting his high risk/high reward vision, JFK surrendered day-to-day
decision-making, effectively motivating his colleagues to solve their own
problems. Owning the outcome forged commitment and drove peer accountability.
Is everyone
committed? Does everyone know what is expected of them to help us win?
5. Make Your Challenge
Public
Public
commitments drive personal and organizational accountability. JFK made public
his vision of beating the Russians to the moon. And he held NASA accountable
for winning the race. For people of strong character, falling short is an
embarrassment – perhaps the most undesirable of consequences.
Are the people
on your team capable of overcoming incredible challenges? If not, what – or who
– is holding them back?
The power of
Kennedy’s “We choose to go to the Moon” speech resonates today, providing a
blueprint for any leader seeking to unify a group of people in order to
accomplish a difficult task.
What are you
doing to move from success to significance?
What legacy are
you leaving?
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