If You Will Lead – Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead Buy the New Book

  • About Us
  • Looking For A Speaker
  • Services
    • Executive Coaching
    • Group Coaching
    • Consulting
  • Testimonials
  • Video
  • Contact Us
  • Store
  • Rudyard Kipling’s ‘If-‘
  • Leadership Resources
  • Blog

29 Oct

Attribute 3: Integrity – Dr. Anthony Fauci Defends the Truth to Fight COVID

wdmoran Uncategorized 0 0
Source: Business Insider (Alex Wong/Getty Images; Drew Angerer/Getty Images; Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images; Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images; Evan Vucci/AP Photo; Samantha Lee/Business Insider)

When I decided to create a COVID-19 version of the ‘If-’ Sixteen Leadership Framework, the first name I picked was Dr. Anthony Fauci.  On July 31st (the day I decided to create this list), Dr. Fauci and other experts were testifying before Congress on the state of America’s COVID efforts.  For months, Fauci had been fighting to ensure that the truth about the Coronavirus and COVID-19 were informing the president’s and other leaders’ decisions. Time and again, Fauci would use his expertise and that of his colleagues to describe the prudent actions the American people should take (individually and collectively) to fight this pandemic.  His expert advice would often be contradicted or misinterpreted by the same leaders he was trying to advise.  Fauci’s situation brought to mind Rudyard Kipling’s words (paraphrased): How do you “bear to hear the truths you’ve spoken twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools?” 

One of the greatest indicators of integrity is the willingness to speak truth to power, and this has been a defining quality of Dr. Anthony Fauci during the COVID-19 crisis.  However, as I emphasized in my book, If You Will Lead (Agate B2 2011), integrity goes far beyond truth-telling, even beyond speaking truth to power.  At the very heart of integrity is the willingness to seek out and defend the truth – and defending the truth often requires us to live out our values and expose them to the scrutiny of others.  Leading with integrity means more than just objectively sharing facts.  It means using our expertise and values to assess the information we have, in order to help others make sense of it.  In the case of COVID-19, leading with integrity has meant trusting the facts and science no matter what.  For Dr. Fauci, leading with his values has put him at odds with the president and his administration.  

Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, Fauci has shared his expert advice and guidance honestly.  This expertise has been dismissed repeatedly by the president and other policymakers and leaders (most of whom lack the expertise to do so credibly).  Dr. Fauci has been willing to put his reputation and career on the line to defend the truth.  Some would argue that he could retire anytime he wants, so it is easy for him to risk a career that is at its end, yet those who know Anthony Fauci have seen this behavior throughout his career.  (See The Atlantic article from March 13th, 2020.) Whether it was AIDS, Ebola, SARS, or Zika, Dr. Fauci has been willing to challenge others.  He has challenged presidents, cabinet secretaries, other medical professionals, and advocates.  He has built his reputation on a strong track record of using science and facts to seek and defend the truth, and on many occasions has acknowledged his mistakes and reversed himself when the science has proved him wrong.  His integrity has been a driving force behind his successful leadership as NIH’s top infectious disease expert for almost 40 years and across six presidential administrations.   

The AIDS crisis provided Fauci with his first public opportunity to lead with integrity.  He publicly criticized decisions he felt were not supported by the science.  His integrity earned him the ire (and ultimately the respect) of several presidents.  In evaluating more aggressive and experimental AIDS treatments, Fauci epitomized the adage that real integrity is not the choice between right and wrong or good and evil.  Often integrity means choosing between two equally good or equally bad options.  During the early days of AIDS treatments, Fauci demonstrated that kind of integrity when he advocated for the approval of experimental drugs that had the risk of significant side effects.  AIDS advocates praised him for this choice because he accepted short-term risks to save lives.

The COVID-19 pandemic has elevated Fauci to an extraordinary level of public recognition and scrutiny.  Many of his harshest critics have accused him of politicizing the science and of self-aggrandizement.  However, Fauci has retained public support by speaking truthfully and supporting his positions with facts and hard science (e.g., vaccine timelines, the severity of the pandemic, testing protocols, containment strategies, etc.).  He has also willingly acknowledged his errors.  While he still believes it was the right thing to do, Fauci has admitted that his early guidance regarding the widespread use of masks had unintended consequences.  His effort to help front-line workers get access to personal protective equipment (PPE) created misperception about the efficacy of public PPE usage (specifically masks) in containing the pandemic.  

Leading with integrity is never easy, and Dr. Anthony Fauci has earned this spot on the COVID-19 ‘If–‘ Sixteen list because of his willingness to seek and know the truth, and his courage to speak those truths to those who at best want to ignore him and at worst want to twist his words to “make a trap for fools.”  Leading with integrity goes far beyond simply speaking the truth; it means understanding that doing so may challenge our values and the values of key stakeholders.  As such, defending one set of values may put another set of values in jeopardy.  For Dr. Fauci, this has put him in direct conflict with the President of the United States.  

Integrity obviously does not stand alone.  Integrity requires that we first understand our character and the core values we will defend (see Angela Merkel) and that we act with authenticity, leading in a way that reveals our values to those we wish to lead (see Leo Varadkar). 

Who else is leading with integrity?  What other world leaders are demonstrating this often-misunderstood leadership attribute?  What about at the local level?  Who do you see leading with integrity?  Share your thoughts here.  


Twitter Facebook Digg StumbleUpon

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

Testimonials

If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
I've invited Doug to speak several times at our university and will continued to enjoy doing so. Both students and faculty members love Doug's humility, his comfortable and highly interactive manner, and willingness to share both painful and successful experiences. He comes across as wise yet without a trace of arrogance. I think students almost instantly view him as the type of person they'd like to have as a mentor. I’m confident that those who apply the wisdom he shares will be introduced to new and practical ways of improving their leadership.
-Bob Kolodinsky

Ph.D., Director, Gilliam Center for Free Enterprise and Ethical Leadership and Professor, Management Department, College of Business, James Madison University
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
I've invited Doug to speak several times at our university and will continued to enjoy doing so. Both students and faculty members love Doug's humility, his comfortable and highly interactive manner, and willingness to share both painful and successful experiences. He comes across as wise yet without a trace of arrogance. I think students almost instantly view him as the type of person they'd like to have as a mentor. I’m confident that those who apply the wisdom he shares will be introduced to new and practical ways of improving their leadership.
-Bob Kolodinsky

Ph.D., Director, Gilliam Center for Free Enterprise and Ethical Leadership and Professor, Management Department, College of Business, James Madison University
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Bringing years of personal experience in leadership in Fortune 500 companies, Doug's presentation is based on his Book "If You Will Lead." Doug's program was much more than a “motivational” sales seminar. It was an inspirational and energizing session that provided us with the tools and insights to lead more powerfully and sell more effectively.
- Ivan Gomez

President, AAISP – DC
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug Moran’s opening keynote address to our annual conference set the tone for the entire event. It was my hope that we would have a speaker who would inspire and encourage our attendees to think and act more boldly about the topic of sustainable mobility, and Doug delivered exactly what we needed. Most importantly, he provided us with concrete leadership advice that we can use to drive positive change. His provocative and challenging words were repeated by many of our other presenters who integrated his leadership messages into their speeches and discussions.
– Sharon Lewinson

P.Eng., President ACT Canada
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug Moran looks at the practice of leadership from a unique perspective - through the lens of a literary classic. It’s a fascinating way for today’s managers to think about their own leadership brand.
- Steve Arneson, Ph.D.

President, Arneson Leadership Consulting

(Steve was named one of the country's Top 100 thought leaders on leadership in 2008, 2009 and 2010, and one of the Top 25 leadership coaches in America for 2008, 2009 and 2010 by Leadership Excellence magazine. )
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Although the problems we confront have changed, the fundamentals of leadership remain the same. Recognizing this enduring truth, Doug Moran has created a book that draws leadership lessons from some of history’s greatest figures. If You Will Lead surely will help readers become better leaders.
- George Allen

Former Governor and Senator, Commonwealth of Virginia
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Few people are born leaders. The rest of us need a guide to help us gain both the courage and competency to lead well. Doug Moran’s book provides a perfect blend of a thoughtful leadership framework and anecdotes from some of history’s greatest leaders to help make his points come to life. If You Will Lead is a great companion for any aspiring executive.
-John Scanlon

EVP and CFO, Intersections, Inc.
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
I was particularly impressed with the section of the book about Jim Mulligan and the role of leading with stamina. It is an outstanding representation of one of the toughest men to endure the Hanoi Hilton. His leadership kept us young guys going. This book captures the importance of leadership stamina.
- Cdr. Paul Galanti

(USN ret.), former POW
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
In IF YOU WILL LEAD, Doug Moran provides keen insights on leadership while drawing lessons from some of history’s great leaders. Moran has taken a complex and challenging subject and created lessons and a framework that can help leaders realize and leverage their strengths.
- Sanjiv Yajnik

President, Financial Services, Capital One
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
As I was reading If You Will Lead, I was reminded of Santayana’s famous quote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” This book offers the opportunity to learn from some of history’s greatest leaders, so we can replicate their success. Moran's masterful framework translates these historical lessons into a concrete and practical guide for today's leaders.
- Larry Klane

CEO, Korea Exchange Bank
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug Moran’s humane and insightful study reminds us of some of the timeless qualities great leaders need. And even if leaders sometimes have to “govern in prose”, drawing inspiration from poetry is a fine idea.
- Stefan Stern

formerly management columnist at the FT, now Visiting Professor at the Cass Business School, London, and director of strategy at Edelman in the UK
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug Moran did a great job of tying essential leadership attributes to great, recognizable leaders. The attributes chosen are essential traits of good leadership and very well organized.
- /s/ Vice Admiral Ed Clexton, USN (Ret)

former Commanding Officer, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, CVN-69, and recipient of the John Paul Jones 'Inspirational Leadership Award' from the Navy League of the US.
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
This is an engaging primer for anyone committed to becoming a leader at work or in life. Using compelling examples, Doug Moran has provided a valuable series of leadership lessons that are relevant and useful to all of us. This book will make a difference to you and to all who look to you for leadership.
- R. Jack Weber

Professor Emeritus, Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug Moran’s book will motivate leaders at all level to strengthen key leadership traits of character, authenticity, integrity and self-efficacy. You will learn tangible leadership techniques and walk along side some of history’s best known figures from Lincoln to Mandela, making this a truly inspirational book.
- Wendy S. Swire

Co-author Anytime Coaching: Unleashing Employee Performance Adjunct Professor, Johns Hopkins Carey Graduate School of Business
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
I highly add my name of recommendation to the book by Doug Moran entitled If You Will Lead. "One of the great needs in our country and in our world is the need for capable and inspiring leadership. There is, in my judgment, an absence of good leadership as we hear each day of the incessant wrangling among elected officials. We certainly need some new leaders to come forward. This book gives the reader a sense of the qualities of leadership which are so needed today. Leadership is an innate quality. It certainly can be acquired, as long as we have examples which this book gives to emulate." "In my judgment this book is most worthwhile and sorely needed in our world today.
- Walter F. Sullivan

Bishop Emeritus of Richmond
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
This is an engaging primer for anyone committed to becoming a leader at work or in life. Using compelling examples, Doug Moran has provided a valuable series of leadership lessons that are relevant and useful to all of us. This book will make a difference to you and to all who look to you for leadership.
- R. Jack Weber

Professor Emeritus, Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia.
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
I was introduced to “IF” at a young age by my mom, and it is a poem that I keep in my mind at all times as I try to do my job to the very best of my ability here at Butler. Many of the positive lessons in the poem have been very applicable for me. It’s a terrific poem to study for those that aspire to be in a position of leadership.
-Brad Steven

Head Coach, Butler University Men’s Basketball Team
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
“If You will Lead” brings real insight into the qualities needed for successful leadership. This book is exceptionally well written and provides a true guideline into all aspects that challenge true leadership. Inspiring balanced and well thought out it is a major contribution for those who would lead in our fast changing society.
- Jim Mulligan
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
At a time when leadership in the world is at such a low ebb – “If You Will Lead” will make a tremendous contribution to the upcoming generation!
- Louise Mulligan
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
After 26 years on Wall Street, the last 20 of them leading people, I am more aware than ever of the need to level-set your actions and philosophies and always be adjusting to the fast-paced world we live in where change is the only constant. Doug Moran has proven himself to be a forward-thinking leader and insightful assessor of practical practices in an increasingly complex and competitive business environment, having demonstrated a track record of creative and strategic thinking along with successful tactical execution in both the public and private sectors across multiple leadership roles. As one fights off the temptation to become jaded and dismissive of those offering the latest recipe for leadership success, Doug has proven to be one of the few people whose opinions I seek out proactively, knowing that I can count on candid feedback, spirited debate and a collaborative partner when dealing with issues important to me both personally and professionally. If You Will Lead is an important addition to any leader’s short list of practical business reading and will make an immediate positive impact on how one ties effective leadership principles to the future success of their organization.
- Chris Dupuy

Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
If You Will Lead - Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead
Doug's book on leadership is a standout. Based on Kipling's poem, "If," the book is thoughtful and comprehensive, pragmatic and inspiring, and grounded in self awareness, which is the fundamental requirement for leadership excellence. This book, with its well-drawn examples of leadership attributes, is in itself a courageous act of leadership. Serious leaders interested in transformation for themselves or their organizations ought to savor it, journal with it, and refer to it often as a way to calibrate, contribute, and create results that matter.
- Christine Wahl, MCC

Author of Be Your Own Coach, and On Becoming a Leadership Coach, and creator of the Georgetown University Leadership Coaching Program



Copyright © 2012 If You Will Lead, LLC All rights reserved.
Design: Dean Fields