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NBC Anchorman Tom Brokhaw returned from his visit to Normandy on the fiftieth anniversary and wrote about "the greatest generation any society America has ever produced." In his runaway bestseller, The Greatest Generation, Brokaw recounts the stories of the men who fought on the beaches of Normandy in June 1944, as well as many or the men and women who served the country on the "home front. This generation that was united by a
"common purpose and common values" also had in common an
"uncommon" leader in President Franklin Roosevelt. In this first presidential election of the new millennium, when character" and "leadership" are part of every campaign speech, it seems appropriate to reflect on who most Americans agree was the greatest American political leader of the 20th Century. Association executives would be well served to consider some of FDR's leadership characteristics that led the American people, in the words of Tom Brokaw, "to win the war and save the world." Franklin Roosevelt guided the nation
for twelve years, including leading America through its two monumental
crises of the 20th Century-the Great Depression and World War II."
According to Pulitzer Prize Winning biographer Doris Kearns Goodwin,
" No factor was more important to Roosevelt's success than his
confidence in himself and his unshakable belief in the American
people." "He also had the remarkable capacity to transmit his cheerful strength to others, to make them believe that if they pulled together, everything would turn out all right. He also possessed a magnificent sense of timing and he understood when to invoke the prestige of his office and when to hold it in reserve." The Association executives who are
consistently successful in leading their organizations radiate a
self-confidence that transcends the need for ego gratification. They
also know that their success depends on building solid relationships
with their staff and volunteer leaders and have an "unshakable
belief" in the members of their association team. They encourage the team by promoting
that the sum is greater than it parts, but at the same time believe
supremely in the dignity of the individual. They also know what battles are important and which ones are better left to another day. Their prestige is built on a solid track record of proven results, walking the talk and establishing trust. At the time of President Roosevelt's
death, the New York Times editorialized: "It was his leadership which
inspired free men in every part of the world to fight with greater hope
and courage." One of his severest political critics, Republican
Senator Taft, gave perhaps the greatest epitaph: "The
President…dies a hero of the war, for he literally worked himself to
death in the service of the American people." On those days when we feel that we are "working ourselves to death," we might do well pause and think of the enormous challenges that President Roosevelt faced from 1933 until his death in 1945 and draw upon his "greater hope and courage" in leading our own organizations. |
