John F. Kennedy on Leadership identifies
eleven core principles that made Kennedy, both before
and during his presidency, a unique and dominant force
who would serve as the standard by which future leaders
would measure themselves -- and by which they would
be judged. Current and aspiring leaders would
do well to adopt these principles, which include:
- Questioning the status quo: Progress is change,
and no leader ever became great without breaking rules.
- Turning liabilities into pluses, making the best
of miscalculations and misjudgments, and staying educable:
There is value in mistakes, and there is always more
to learn.
- Making decisions: Although you solicit and incorporate
many viewpoints, know that the buck stops with you.
- Presenting an idealized view of what the future
can be: Some may feel that “vision” is
a tired concept, but properly crafted and communicated,
it is a powerful motivator.
- Finding your own “Bobby”: In building
your team, surround yourself with people who not only
are trustworthy and competent but who also make your
job easier.
- Being the coolest person in the room: In times
of crisis, take the reins. Your people will be looking
to you; give them confidence.
John F. Kennedy on Leadership doesn’t
shy away from the well-documented darker side of Kennedy’s
life: the seemingly nonstop parade of lovers and the
chronic and multiple illnesses. Every leader faces
personal challenges that affect the ability to lead.
This book shows how legendary leadership can exist
even in the face of substantial limitations. The extraordinary
skills he exhibited in bringing America and the world
into a new era are yours to embrace, emulate, and employ
as you take your people and your vision forward.
Table
of Contents
About the Author:
John A. Barnes has been
a journalist, writer, and television commentator
for more than 17 years. A native New Yorker and an
avid student of American history and politics, Barnes
has worked as a newspaper reporter and editorial
writer for the Detroit News, New York Post, Washington
Times, and the columnists Rowland Evans and Robert
Novak. He has received numerous awards for his journalism,
including the prestigious H.L. Mencken Award from
the Free Press Association and the Best of Gannett
Award for Editorial Writing. He has also contributed
entries to the Encyclopedia of the Irish in America
and Presidential Administration Profiles.
Reviews:
"John F. Kennedy defied
many in his own party to advocate one of the largest
tax cuts in history in order to fulfill his promise
to ’get the country moving again.’ That’s
just one example of how JFK was not afraid to disregard
the conventional wisdom and form his own opinions about
issues, a skill no business executive can afford to
be without. In addition to providing invaluable insights
on Kennedy’s management approach, John Barnes’s
elegant style makes John F. Kennedy on Leadership a
joy to read."
—Lawrence Kudlow, CNBC co-host, "Kudlow & Cramer" and
CEO of Kudlow and Company, LLC
"The world has long admired
JFK’s style and grace. Now John A. Barnes shows
us how JFK’s large personality and skills made
him a beloved leader. Barnes moves beyond the image
to reveal new layers of shrewdness and sense, offering
timeless lessons for today."
—Steven F. Hayward, author of Churchill
on Leadership and The Age of Reagan
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