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

15 Sep

Enduring Leadership in a Time of COVID

wdmoran Uncategorized 3 0
COVID-19 is testing leaders in ways no one anticipated. Some are stepping up and others are not. Over the coming weeks, we will examine some who have led well.

Crises test leaders.  We all know this, and the new normal created by COVID-19 is proving that maxim every day.  The news is full of examples of leadership greatness and leadership failures.  Like many, I found myself getting sucked into the emotional swamp of the endless failures and disappointments. My wife, Laurie, encouraged me to find and celebrate the great leaders and leadership we have observed over the past few months.  She inspired me to consciously change my focus and create a list of the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders.  

An ‘If–’ Sixteen Refresher:

The concept of the ‘If–’ Sixteen comes from my book, If You Will Lead: Enduring Wisdom for 21st-Century Leaders(Agate B2, 2011). Based on Rudyard Kipling’s poem ‘If—’, the book identifies an essential leadership attribute associated with each of the poem’s sixteen couplets. Together, the ‘If–’ Sixteen define a path we may choose to follow to become better leaders. By incorporating the concept of “awareness and choice,” they form a comprehensive leadership structure that is timeless.

The original ‘If–’ Sixteen are some of history’s greatest leaders, including giants like George Washington, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mother Theresa.  I picked the original ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders because they led in ways that exemplified these leadership attributes described in the poem:

  • Character – The Wisdom to Know and Trust Yourself 
  • Authenticity – The Resolve Always to Be Yourself 
  • Integrity – The Wisdom to Know the Truth and the Strength to Defend It 
  • Self-Efficacy – The Confidence to Gain from Triumph and Disaster 
  • Ambition – The Will to Make the World What You Want It to Be 
  • Vision – The Power of Having and Sharing a Dream
  • Boldness – The Ability to See and Seize Opportunities 
  • Resilience – The Ability to Bounce Back from Adversity 
  • Inspiration – The Ability to Connect with and Motivate Friends & Foes 
  • Courage – The Ability to Face the Dangers When They Become Real 
  • Selflessness – The Ability to Put Your Cause and Beliefs Ahead of Yourself
  • Stamina – The Will and Energy to Hold On 
  • Composure – The Power to Keep Your Head 
  • Patience – The Strength and Will to Endure and Wait 
  • Enthusiasm – The Energy to Fill Every Minute 
  • Accountability – The Will to Take Ownership Regardless of the Outcome 

As a lover of history, I largely chose historical figures who represented these leadership attributes. Only James and Louise Mulligan – whose stamina carried them through his seven-year internment as a North Vietnamese POW – are still living.  I began considering which present-day leaders would comprise a modern ‘If–’ Sixteen.

COVID ‘IF–’ SIXTEEN LEADERS

I started compiling the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen by prowling the internet for stories of leaders who have risen to the COVID challenge.  Some names jumped up and screamed at me.  Consider the boldness of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as she moved aggressively to seal New Zealand’s border while many world leaders dithered about how to respond.  Or think about the integrity of Dr. Anthony Fauci as he defended the truth about how best to combat COVID-19 despite those who wished to ignore or silence him.  Other leaders have shown a wide range of attributes.  This crisis has also demanded more of some attributes than others.  For example, I have been awed by the number of stories about leadership boldness and courage.  So, this process of choosing a COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen will be hard, and it will be dynamic.

Here’s the good news. In my first two hours of searching, I identified forty-seven worthy leaders for the sixteen slots.  In the past weeks, I have found dozens more.  With so many great leaders out there – and many of them not showing up on an internet search – I plan to make this an interactive process.  I will provide the description of each of the ‘If–’ Sixteen attributes and the leader who held the spot on my original list.  I will identify one current leader who could represent each attribute.  The rest is up to you.  I will invite readers to identify other leaders who exemplify the leadership attribute for them.  Hopefully, we will end up with dozens of examples of leaders who inspire us to lead as they do.  If it works the way I hope, this process will introduce us to new leaders and expose us to new aspects of well-known leaders.  

As you consider this list, be mindful not to limit yourself to leaders you like or whose beliefs align with your own.  Don’t be offended if I write about someone you believe to be mistaken or wrong.  While writing If You Will Lead, I learned more from the leaders with whom I disagreed than those with whom I was closely aligned.  I know that all of the original ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders have baggage – they were human with all its imperfections.  The COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen leaders will also have their own flaws.  Be willing to accept those flaws and learn from every leader and every story.  Stay open and be curious, so that you can learn from each leader and become a stronger leader in your own right.

So here we go!

‘If–’ Sixteen Leadership Attribute #1:  Character – The Wisdom to Know and Trust YourselfRonald Reagan holds this spot on my original list because of his willingness and ability to lead in a way that demonstrated who he was.  His leadership was deeply rooted in his values, beliefs, and principles.

For the COVID ‘If–’ Sixteen, I chose Chancellor Angela Merkel to represent character, because her leadership (especially during the COVID-19 crisis) has demonstrated her core values and beliefs.  In my next post, I will further explain why I chose Chancellor Merkel and how her character-driven leadership has served her people.

In the meantime, who do you think is leading with character?  Tell us why you chose them and how their leadership has benefited others.  Don’t limit yourself to well-known leaders.  Use this as an opportunity to highlight some unsung heroes and quiet leaders.


COVID Crisis If- Leadership
Twitter Facebook Digg StumbleUpon

3 Responses to Enduring Leadership in a Time of COVID

  1. Pingback: If You Will Lead – Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead

  2. Pingback: Attribute 3: Integrity – Dr. Anthony Fauci Defends the Truth to Fight COVID « If You Will Lead – Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead

  3. Pingback: Attribute 4: Self-Efficacy – PM Jacinda Ardern’s Confidence to Lead « If You Will Lead – Enduring Wisdom for Those Who Choose to Lead

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