[May 28, 2015] A few years ago I was caught off-guard by a question from an Army sergeant who asked me what I thought was the least important leadership characteristic. This was a questions that both surprised me and that I had difficulty answering. Of course, being a leader means balancing an array of traits that each adds to the quality of a leader. After a short time I told him that, in my opinion, it is a person’s reputation that is the least important leader characteristic.
Then I explained myself to the sergeant and the group of soldiers. If a person is a truly good leader and is able to do those things necessary to inspire others, be honest and open, and communicate well, then even a poor reputation can be overcome. For a good leader overcoming a poor reputation or even an unsuitable or inaccurate reputation means going about one’s life in a professional manner; a way that is characteristic of any successful leader. The best of leaders do well at prevailing over obstacles and a reputation is something that they can be change.
I should not be misread here that reputation is unimportant, far from the truth. A leader’s reputation is essential to how others perceive that leader and thus how easy or difficult it will be to carry out their job. However, in the overall scheme of things a leader’s reputation can be seen as either an obstacle to rise above or as a vehicle to help carry them. The former is something we all would like to avoid since leadership in itself is difficult.
A good example of a poor reputation that was overpowered is past U.S. President Bill Clinton. He had a very poor reputation with his sexual appetite and with striking deals that undermined both his friends and the U.S. Congress. Clinton was attacked viciously in the press and by many on both sides of the political spectrum. Yet, he was able to conquer that problem through an outgoing and friendly personality, showing his generosity, and his eagerness to engage people to have them believe they mattered to him.
It took a long time but he managed it with gusto. I think that is why so many people like him personally regardless of his past or politics. Bill Clinton as a leader was successful despite an unsavory reputation and he has shown us that a reputation, even a poor one, can be overcome through hard work and time.
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