UW Perspectives: What Makes a Leader Truly Great
In January, thinking about the recent passing of Nelson Mandela and the approaching Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we asked several UW leaders "What makes a leader truly great? What have you admired about a public figure—Mandela, King, or someone else—that has inspired you, or that you aspire to, as a leader?"
"A truly great leader creates a vision, and then inspires others to share and achieve that vision by stepping toward the destination, extending a hand, and saying, ‘Join me.’ Great leaders listen more than they speak, ask more than they tell, and do more than they say. In the hands of a true leader, power is a tool rather than a weapon; it is used to build, not destroy. Great leadership is knowing that you stand in the front when there are challenges to be faced and in the back when there are compliments and awards to be bestowed. Mandela, Mother Theresa, Gandhi, Lincoln—these were people of passion and compassion, humility and civility. They have had strong principles from which they never wavered, and a willingness to do what was right rather than what was popular."
~ Azita Emami, Dean, UW School of Nursing
"I have admired and learned from the brand of leadership exhibited by Chancellor Debra Friedman—a person with firmly rooted convictions and a strong sense of urgency to act on those convictions. A truly great leader like Debra listens well to the needs, interests, and experience of others, incorporates this gleaned knowledge into their work, and does not lose their way as they challenge the status quo."
~ Sarah Hall, Director of Planning & State Operations, Office of Planning and Budgeting
"Mandela’s legacy is the triumph of hope over cynicism, the power of choice, and the power of perseverance. That Mandela chose reconciliation over revenge is something to admire and celebrate. Each of us can make the same choice in our relations with others. How we choose to treat one another in the moment tells the truth about who we are. We all have the same choice as Mandela did, to listen and love or shun and disdain. The leaders I admire most are those with fine minds and great hearts, people who make others stronger, who uncannily tap the energy in us to strive to be more than we are now and reach a higher moral ground."
~ Richard Wilkinson, Associate Vice Chancellor, UW Tacoma
"When I heard of the passing of Nelson Mandela, I couldn’t help but think of my time in South Africa and the legacy he has left behind. In 2010, I served as the Assistant Dean of Students on Semester at Sea, a journey which allowed me to travel around the world with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his wife, Leah, for four months. It is very difficult for me to not think of both Nelson Mandela and the Archbishop when I think of my memories of South Africa and the type of inspiration they provided me.
"It is hard to capture in words what makes a leader truly great, but I will focus on a few things that I learned from them. The two things that strike me most is the ability to maintain a positive attitude in the face of incredible challenges and the ability to connect with people and listen. Archbishop Tutu told me once, ‘Sometimes you want to cry so hard, you have to just laugh.’ That capacity for humor and the ability to look at the bigger picture is perhaps what helped each of these great leaders transform a nation.
"Nelson Mandela was able to provide inspiration to millions and help usher in change in South Africa that dramatically changed his country for the better. His energy and influence was palpable. Despite being imprisoned for 27 years and facing the struggles he had to overcome, he had an enormous capacity for love and forgiveness. He was described by Archbishop Tutu as having an incredible capacity for empathy. There are scores of countless anecdotes and recollections of times where ‘Madiba’ would reach across to the other side, despite whatever differences, in order to coalition build. Even against those who imprisoned him, he showed kindness. As Archbishop Tutu wrote after Mandela’s passing, ‘His anger was never greater than his patience or forgiveness. Of course, suffering embitters some people, but it ennobles others.’
"He was a simple man who loved his country, in spite of its flaws. He believed in the possibility of a better South Africa. He believed in the humanity of people and had hopes for ONE South Africa. One not divided by race and ethnicity, but rather, one that embraces all aspects of the unique and complicated history that comprises the diversity of South Africa. When I think of how we celebrate and honor the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr., I think that those same desires are ones that MLK, Jr. aspired towards. The hope to create equitable access and opportunities for others. To transform the way we interact with each other. To change our orientation away from hate, towards one of forgiveness, love, reconciliation, and humanity."
~ Marisa Herrera, Director, Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity .
