David Gergen – “Eyewitness to Power” (LS09)

David Gergen is an outstanding politician that has had positions in the White House through the Nixon, Ford, Reagan, and Clinton presidencies. His book, Eyewitness to Power, traces his role in those different administrations. He is a respected commentator on CNN and a professor at the Harvard’s School of Public Leadership.

Bill Hybels’ interview of Gergen ranged through a wide variety of issues, most of which I really do not feel that I have room for in my blog or are necessarily pertinent to my focus here.

Near the end of the discussion, however, Hybels asked Gergen about whether the personal habits of a leader really matter or not. Gergen quickly and strongly replied that they matter quite a deal, and that self-discipline is the key to a good leader.

As to the specifics of how this self-discipline is worked out, Gergen contrasted some leaders who were habitual early risers to those who habitually took naps in the afternoon. It is the regularity – the habit or discipline – that is the key, not the accidentals.

He did offer, however, some disciplines that he views as critical to the leader:

• Physical fitness – leadership is demanding, so a leader cannot be physically unable to handle the demands of the task at hand
• Building time for reflection – leadership comes best when there is time set aside each day to reflect on leadership and lessons the leader is learning
• Building time for people you cherish – many studies show that social relationships are critical for a long and happy life, and leaders are no exception to that
• Personal reading time – leaders must be learning and developing through exposure to new – and old – ideas, so a leader should take time to read each day; he suggested 30 minutes to an hour in the morning

If you would like to read more of David Gergen’s fascinating comments, I have fairly extensive notes on the entire interview. Leave your email in the comments field of my blog (https://mwerickson.wordpress.com) and I will gladly send you my notes on the Leadership Summit directly.