Print and Radio Coverage
Links: Print Coverage • Radio Coverage
Print Coverage:
The Washington Post
Bob Gates, an Unsung Leader
Jan. 21, 2010
Sheila Murray Bethel is CEO of the Bethel Leadership Institute and author of the 2009 book A New Breed Of Leaders: Eight Leadership Qualities that Matter Most in the Real World.
John Edwards belated confession yesterday that he is, in fact, the father of his former mistress's daughter, shows how reluctant many leaders – even those who aspire to our land's highest office – are to embrace accountability.
Yet while these headlines grab our attention, other leaders labor quietly in the trenches. In my view, Defense Secretary Robert Gates is one such unsung leader. When he is addressing a problem or giving a speech he does not use hyperbole or divisive language or code words to satisfy some special interest group. His calm firm words speak volumes about his steadiness. Speaking plainly is one hallmark of accountable leaders.
In 2007 when Carl Levin, Chairman of the Democratic Senate Armed Services Committee, along with several Republican Senators told Gates that then-Joint Chief of Staff Chair General Peter Pace would face a difficult if not impossible confirmation process, he listened carefully and consulted with the members of the Senate. Gates chose Admiral Michael Mullen, apparently understanding that all politics contain compromise, and that he was accountable to the Senate. He chose to save a battle for another time, and Levin called him a breath of fresh air for his openness and cooperation.
Such a willingness to compromise does not mean Gates is a push-over. He understands the power of seeing all sides of an issue. He values input and seeks to think strategically. His job is to make firm decisions and then stand by them, often in the face of much criticism. His experience in the CIA, surviving many scandals involving his superiors, gives him a distinctly long-term perspective on getting things done.
In one of his first trips to Iraq, for example, Gates visited a junk yard of military vehicles that had been inadequately armed. They were a stark reminder that our young men and women had been inside of those mangled vehicles and had suffered the consequence. An aide accompanying him said he was silent and determined.
As the Secretary of Defense, he took action. He returned home and immediately went to work requiring the Pentagon to break through all the bureaucratic red tape and send properly armed, bomb resistant-life saving, vehicles to our troops.
When he went before Congress recently to answer questions about the troop increase in Afghanistan he did not duck responsibility. He does not use emotional words like victory or a childish phrase like "slam dunk." Nor does he parse words. He said "We expect that this is a several-year process, but it is not an open-ended commitment." He didn't sugar coat it, saying; "this is gong to be a heavy lift." He acknowledged that the Karzai government was a major problem, evading its duty to clean up corruption.
When we compare Gates and the recent scandals of leaders engaged in fraud, disloyalty, and irresponsibility, it is clear how the image of American leaders across sectors has been tarnished. Each new scandal makes it appear our leaders are in a race to the bottom of our moral imperatives of truth and honesty. Left unimpeded, unethical behavior creates havoc.
This current crisis of accountability speak volumes about our personal and national ethics and integrity. When one of us loses credibility because of distrust, we all suffer. But quiet examples of accountable leadership build that trust back up, one act at a time.[ more ... ]
Investor's Business Daily
Managing for Success
Shows Of Humility Polish Your Management Image
By Morey Stettner
04/17/2009
The best leaders wield great power. But they do it with such humility that underlings follow gladly.
Management experts hail "servant leaders" for their willingness to get results by supporting their employees' success. The most admired CEOs win allegiance by communicating with their team in deceptively simple ways.
"When you respect employees' time and really listen to them, you dignify them," said Sheila Murray Bethel, chief executive of the Bethel Leadership Institute in Walnut Creek, Calif. She advises leaders to cast aside their ego and radiate strength without trumpeting the power that comes from position.
Consider how you enter a subordinate's work space. If you barge in, you signal that your time matters more than the worker's.
A better approach is to knock and ask an employee's permission before you enter, says Bethel, author of A New Breed Of Leader. Showing such courtesy helps you build rapport and learn from others as a result.
Give Overview Statements
"A good leader," said Bethel, "steps into an employee's office quietly and says, 'I just want to take a moment to ...'. Quiet doesn't mean weak. Your show of respect enhances your influence."
Before holding meetings, distribute a clear agenda that specifies what you want to cover and helps attendees prepare. Employees want to know how long to reserve for meetings and what issues will arise.
In conversations, give an overview of what you want to say. Statements such as "Let's take 10 minutes to dissect yesterday's presentation" or "I have three ideas to bat around with you" show that you've organized your thoughts and you value the employee's time.
Take notes to retain what you hear, Bethel says. It's especially flattering to workers when you say: "Excuse me. Hold on a second so I can write that down."
When she hosts management meetings, Bethel takes notes and instructs all participants to do the same. This helps increase everyone's accountability and reduces the odds of misunderstanding.
Withhold Your Opinions
A willingness to listen reinforces a leader's humility, Bethel says. Rather than cut off others in midsentence, let them finish their comments.
Then pause a second or two to reflect on what they said. That's better than blurting out an instant opinion.
When you're ready to respond, begin by saying "Thank you for sharing that" or "That's certainly worth exploring."
"Making a positive reinforcement statement strikes a note of respect," Bethel said. "Inexperienced leaders are so eager to respond that they jump right to giving their opinions."
When employees share their feelings, affirm them by saying "I value what you say" or "I'm glad you let me know that." Don't rush to judge what you hear.
"Validate a speaker's feelings even if you don't agree," Bethel said. "And if you don't think the speaker offers a good idea, you should still express thanks first."[ more ... ]
San Francisco Examiner
Book Details Qualities of Leadership
By Will Reisman, Examiner Staff Writer
04/21/2009
The Bay Area-based author and motivational speaker's latest book is called "A New Breed Of Leader: 8 Leadership Qualities that Matter Most in the Real World: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why." She's worked with four different U.S. presidents and countless figures in government and private enterprise.
How did you arrive at the eight essential qualities – competence, accountability, openness, language, values, perspective, power and humility? Over the last 10 years, I've been watching very carefully the leadership qualities that brought this country to where we are right now. I took the very best of those qualities from the last century and applied them to our current situation in the 21st century.
What qualities were missing at the leadership level of the failed corporations in the financial industry? There were four qualities clearly missing. Most alarming was the lack of competence, but many CEOs didn't display any humility, accountability or openness in their proceedings.
Do you see the necessary leadership qualities in President Barack Obama? It's going to depend on what he does, but obviously he's very competent. He has a masterful way with language and his values seem to meet the approval of the public.
Who among the people you've worked with best embody these principles? From a private-business standpoint, it has to be Joe Driscoll, a CEO of two major health organizations in Puerto Rico. From a government standpoint, its [former U.S. Sen.] Harris Wofford.[ more ... ]
Leadership Excellence Magazine
New Breed of Leader
They Cultivate Eight Qualities
12/2009
Leadership Excellence Magazine features Dr. Sheila Murray Bethel on the cover and the publication's lead article. Click here to download.
Radio Coverage:
04/25/2009 – Pat Williams Show
Hear Sheila interviewed by Pat Williams, Senior Vice President
of the Orlando Magic, on his WDBO News Talk Radio Show.
Part 1 [10 min. 30 sec.]
Part 2 [10 min. 41 sec.]
03/23/2009 – Dresser After Dark
Hear Sheila interviewed by Michael Ray Dresser on the Milwaukee
based nationally syndicated "Dresser After Dark" radio program (www.dresserafterdark.com). [30 min.]
03/12/2009 – The AM Show / Paul and Jack Attack
Hear Sheila interviewed on "The AM Show / Paul and Jack Attack",
a nationally syndicated morning drive show which also appears on
the Cable Radio News Network (www.crni.net). [4 min. 45 sec.]
